The letter:
13th February 1895 (O. S.)
Anitchkov Palace
Dear Sir,
I have been wanting to write to you for quite some time, but there has been so much to do that I never had a quiet moment. Please accept my very warmest thanks for your kind letter and all the good wishes, which touched me deeply. It is such a pleasure feeling one is not forgotten. With interest I read the nice book you were so good as to send me, my best thanks for it and the charming present. I saw by the papers that you had been at Osborne, and wish I could have heard your sermon. I have often read through the one you so kindly gave me, and each time it did me good.
Now that I am more used to hear the Russian language I can understand the service so much better, and many things have become clear to me and comprehensible which at first rather startled me. The singing is most beautiful and edifying, only I miss the sermons, which are never preached in the Imperial chapels. How much has happened since I last had the pleasure of seeing you, it all seems now like a dream. The poor dear Empress is so brave and touching in her great sorrow, always thinking of others and trying to do good. It was a great comfort to her having her sister the Princess of Wales on such a long visit.
My husband has very much to do, as you can imagine — always seeing his ministers, receiving gentlemen, and having any amount of papers to read through and sign, so that we are not able to see much of each other. He was so glad to make your acquaintance last summer and wishes to be kindly remembered to you now.
I fear in England you have also been suffering a great deal from the cold. — Here the frost is terrible, but we nevertheless go out twice a day for sledging — it is too cold.
Hoping you will keep in good health and sometimes kindly think of me in the far land.
Alix.
Above: Alexandra with Nicholas. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.
Above: William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon.
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