Source:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 43 to 45, by George Hawkins, 2023
The letter:
30 Апр. 1894. Гатчина.
12 Мая.
№ 10.
Милая моя душка Аликс,
Здравствуй! You see I am not so polite as you my sweet one, because I omit the two letters at the end of that word "me". Your dear letter № 7 did me so much good, for which I thank my darling little girl and kiss her fondly many times. At last you got my first letter from home, it is such a pleasure reading the answers to one's letters & after this one many others shall follow. I have just had my tailor I assure you it was / with great fondness that I looked at my suits not that I liked them but on account of their having been worn by the cow at Coburg & at the dear "inevitable" Rosenau. I am particularly fond of that grey suit I had the 8/20 Apr. on! And the button-holes smelt yet of primroses — just fancy! —
It is Saturday & the sun is setting gloriously down; the air is intoxicating, the birds are singing & the church-bells are ringing merrily. That is an answer to those that ring at Windsor the day after yr. arrival, but whom of course I could not hear. It is most kind of my little girl to have thought of me while eating that delicious whitt-bait. Hasn't Arthur Hardinge a very funny laugh. I remember I used to tell him all sorts of stories in India on purpose to enjoy that laugh of his. He wrote to me a touching letter from Cairo in 1891 when he heard about my accident in Japan! By the by it's anniversary was two days ago; only our family was present at a short thanksgiving (Te Deum) just after I came back from town! —
Granny really is awfully kind to me, but I must say I cannot find anything against your spending two days at Sandringham. Well, I won't forget that proposition of her's that we both might go together over to aunt Alix. What do you darling think about it? It would not be a bad thing at all, if only we were allowed to leave Windsor for a couple of days! But the great thing for me will be to remain constantly by yr. side, sweet one, & hope they all will leave us more or less in peace together! That is my greatest wish. —
2) Shall I tell you now, my love, how we spend the day here? Well! I must begin by saying that Sandro & I live together, he has established himself in the Weeping Willow's room, so it is quite like two brothers living under the same roof. But of course he sits the whole day in Xenia's rooms, & appears in mine only for washing before the meals. We breakfast at different hours, sometimes at 9.0 & sometimes at 10.0, whether the weather is fine or not. Then we three (fools on the group) go out for a walk & come back for Mama's breakfast at 10.30. Then I sit down to read or to write now nearly always happens the latter, until 1. o'clock when we have luncheon. This is the best hour, or my favourite hour of the day, as on coming back to my room I find your sweet delightful letter on the table! And that makes me gay & puts me in higher spirits for the walk at 3.0. Now as it is so warm & lovely we go out for long rows on the lake & generally make the whole tour, coming home at half past 5 for tea. The quantities of strawberries which we then devour is simply shocking, but Xenia certainly might have the first prize for that task. Until 8.0 I have an hour or more to write and after dinner I generally go to Xenia & play the piano. Noh a mal! — etc. After tea at 11.0 they generally play those detestable patience, while I read the Times. That paper is useful in different occasions; for instance I remember that name, let me see…… oh! yes the viscount Drumlanrig! Ha! ha! Is he as handsome as R. Already two dangerous creatures in a fortnight; what, if it goes on at this rate??? oh! oh! Oh! —
May 1/13. Good-morning my own precious little girl! This night we got the news of poor aunt Cattie's death; the poor old thing was very bad lately & the doctors have been awaiting the end every moment!
Papa & I went out shooting early this morning, those coques de bois — and I only shot two. Now I must finish as it is time for preparing to go to church. My prayers shall join your's my love — that is a comfort too!
Many fond kisses O my own beloved darling little Alix & God bless you +.
Ever your deeply & faithfully loving old Nicky
Above: Nicholas and Alix. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko on Flickr.
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