Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 83.
Tsarskoje Selo, June 12-th 1915
My very own precious One,
With such anxiety I wait for news & eagerly read the morning papers so as to know what happens. —
Glorious weather again — yesterday during dinner (on the balkony) there was a colossal downpour, seems it must daily rain, personally I have nothing against it, as always dread the heat & yesterday it was very hot & Ania's temper beastly, wh. did not make me feel better — grumbling against everybody & everything & strong hidden pricks at you & me. — This afternoon I may drive & to-morrow I hope to go (after a week's absence) to the hospital, as one of the officers must have his apendicitis cut off. —
Dmitri had his leg put in plaster of Paris Gypsum & to-day they are going to look with Röntgen-rays to see whether the leg is really broken, crushed or strained — what bad luck always!
Sweet one, please remember the question about the Tobolsk Tatars to be called in — they are splendid, devoted fellows & no doubt would go with joy & pride. — I found a paper of old Marie Feod. you once brought me, & as it is funny, I send it to you. —
I saw Mme Hartwig yesterday — she told me many interesting things when they left Lvov — & sad impressions of soldiers being depressed & saying that they wont return to fight the enemy with empty fists — the rage of the officers against Soukhomlinov is quite colossal — poor man — his very name they loathe & yearn for him to be sent away — well for his sake too, before any scandle arises, it would be better to do so. It is his adventurer wife who has completely ruined his reputation — because of her bribes he suffers & so on; — one says it is his fault there is no ammunition wh. is our curse now etc. I tell you this to show you what impressions she brought back. —
How one craves for a miracle to bring success, that ammunition & rifles should do double work! —
Wonder how the spirit in the Head-Quarters is? — Would to God N. were another man & had not turned against a man of Gods, that always brings bad luck to their work & those women wont let him change; he recieved decorations without end & thanks for all — but too early — its pain to think he got so much & nearly all has been retaken.
But God Almighty will help & better days will come, I feel convinced. Such trials for you to bear my own Sunshine. I long to be with you, to know how you are feeling morally — brave & calm as usual, the pain hidden away as usual. God help you my very own sweet Sufferer & give you strength, trust & courage. Yr. reign has been one of sore trials, but the recompense must come some day, God is just. — The little birdies are singing away so cheerily & a soft breeze comes in by the window. When I finish my letter, I shall get up; — these quiet days have done my heart good.
Give many kind messages to the old man & N. P. I am glad the latter is near you, I feel a warm heart with you & that makes me quieter for your sweet sake. —
Try & write a wee word for Marie, her 16 birthday being on Sunday. —
Tatiana went for a ride yesterday, I encouraged her, the others were of course too lazy & went to the Nurse's school to play with the babies. —
A Pr. Galitzine Serg. Mikh. died at Lausanne — I suppose its the man of many wives. —
Now my own Nicky darling, I must say goodbye. I regret having nothing of interest to tell you.
The 4 Trepov daughters beg to thank you ever so deeply for having permitted their mother to be buried next to their Father — they saw his coffin, still quite intact. —
Blessings without end be yours, my Love, I cover yr. sweet face with kisses, & remain
Ever yr. very own
Sunny.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 12 June, 1915.
Hearty thanks for charming letter; I also thank Olga for her letter. After a rainy night we are having dull, warm weather. I have a great deal of work to do, but shall try to write.
Nicholas's letter:
Stavka. 12 June, 1915.
BELOVED WIFY MINE,
I thank you most warmly for both your sweet letters — they have refreshed me. This time I left with such a heavy heart! I thought of all the various and difficult questions — of the change of Ministers, of the Duma, of the 2nd Category, and so on. When I arrived I found N. grave, but quite calm. He told me that he understood the seriousness of the moment and that he had received a letter to that effect from Goremykin. I asked him whom he would recommend in Soukhomlinov's place. He answered — Polivanov.
Having looked over the list of Generals' names, I have come to the conclusion that, at the present juncture, he might prove a suitable man. He has been sent for, and arrived this afternoon. I spoke absolutely frankly with him, and told him why I had been dissatisfied with him before — A. Goutchkov, etc. He replied that he knew it, and that already, for three years, he had been carrying the burden of my displeasure. He has lost his son during the war, and has greatly and efficiently helped Alek.
I hope, therefore, that his appointment will turn out to be successful. To-day I saw Krivoshein as well, and had a long conversation with him. He was less nervous, and consequently more judicious. I sent for Goremykin and several of the older Ministers; to-morrow we shall discuss some of these questions and shall pass over nothing in silence. Yes, my own darling, I am beginning to feel my old heart. The first time it was in August of last year, after the Samsonov catastrophe, and again now — it feels so heavy in the left side when I breathe. But what can one do!
Alas! I must finish; they are all gathering for dinner at the big tent. God bless you, my treasure, my consolation and happiness! I kiss you all warmly.
Always your hubby
The weather is divine.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Anna Vyrubova.
Above: Maria. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko on Flickr.
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