https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=119
https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/april15.html
The letter:
No. 60
Tsarskoe Selo, April 8-th 1915
My very own beloved Husband,
Tenderly do my prayers & grateful thoughts full of very deepest love linger around you this dear anniversary! How the years go by! 21 years already! You know I have kept the grey princesse dress I wore that morning? And shall wear yr. dear brooch. Dear me, how much we have lived through together in these years — heavy trials everywhere, but at home in our nest, bright sunshine!
I send you in remembrance an Image of St. Simeon — leave it for always as a guardian angel in your compartment — you will like the smell of the wood. —
Such a sunny day! — Poor Mme Viltchkovsky is going to have her apendicitis cut out — she lies in our little room, where Ania was the first night. They say she looks so clean & apetising in white & lace with pretty ribbons in jacket & hair — Navruzov who is there again — comes & looks after her, writes down her temp. & is most touching with her — am in despair not to be with her. — Lovy mine, how can I thank you enough for that ideally lovely cross? You do spoil me, I never for a second imagined you would think of giving me anything. How lovely it is! Shall wear it to-day — just what I like, & this one we had not seen. And yr. note & the dear letter — all came together after the Dr. He lets me go on the balkony, so I shall get Ania to come out there. — I see now why you take N. with you, thanks for explaining deary.
The sweet flower has gone into my gospel — we used to pick those flowers in spring on the meadow at Wolfsgarten, before the big house always. — Am sure you will all return nicely bronzed. — My throat is almost in order, heart still not yet quite normal, tho' I take my drops & keep so quiet.
I hear the Churchbells ring, & long to go to Znamenia & pray there for you — well my candle burns here too for you, my very own treasure.
I am finishing my letter to you on the sopha. The big girls are in town, the little ones walked, then went to their hospital & now have lessons, Baby is in the garden. I lay for ¾ of an hour on the balkony — quite strange to be out, as it happens so rarely I get into the fresh air. The little birdies were singing away — all nature awakening & praising the Lord! Doubly it makes one feel the misery of war & bloodshed — but as after winter cometh summer, so after suffering & strife, may peace & consolation find their place in this world & all hatred cease & our beloved country develop into beauty in every sense of the word.
It is a new birth — a new beginning, a "Läuterung" & cleansing of minds and souls only to lead them aright and guide them straight. So much to do, may all work bravely hand in hand, helping instead of hindering work for one great cause & not for personal success & fame. — Just got your dear telegram, for wh. a tender kiss. — Mme Viltchkovsky's operation went off alright.
My stupid temp. is now already 37.1, but I think that does not matter. — I wear your cross on my grey teagown & it looks too lovely — yr. dear brooch of 21 years ago I have also got on. — Sweet treasure I must end now.
God bless & guard you on yr. journey. You will no doubt receive this letter in Lvov. Give my love to Xenia, Olga & Sandro. I send you a wee photo I took of agooweeone on board last year. A fond blessing & thousands of very tenderest kisses, ever, Nicky sweet,
yr. own old
Wify.
Nicholas's telegrams:
Telegram. Brody. 9 April, 1915.
Have arrived at 10 o'clock; the weather is lovely. Am leaving for Lvov at 1 o'clock. I have sent a letter from here. Embrace you closely.
Nicky.
--
Telegram. Lvov. 9 April, 1915.
Thanks for news. Am deeply impressed; an interesting route; a great number of soldier's' graves. I had a touching reception here. Saw Ksenia and Olga in her hospital. Summer-like weather. Tender kisses.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of tashusik2 on Flickr.
Note: Läuterung = catharsis, purification.
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