Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Olga Voronova's letter to Tatiana, dated December 9, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK





The letter:

Петроград.
9го дек.
1914
Дорогая и милая моя Татьяна Николаевна,
От души благодарю Вас за милое длинное письмо. Ужасно была рада его получить. Мне тоже очень грустно, что мы давно не виделись. Хорошая ли у Вас была поездка?

Вы спрашивали, дорогая Татьяна Николаевна, где лазарет Мама. Он на Захарьевской 18. Мама просит Вам передать, что она будет ужасно счастлива и благодарна, если Ее Величество разрешит Вам и Ольге Николаевне когда-нибудь посетить ее маленький лазарет. На посещение Ее Величества Мама, конечно, не смеет рассчитывать, но будет очень благодарна и рада, если Ее Величество разрешит Вам приехать. Мы там часто бываем. Мама хочет на Праздниках устроить солдатам елку и купить всякие смешные вещи и сюрпризы. Они тоже иногда как дети и из всякие глупости забавляют.

Кто Вам подарил собаку? Эти французские буль ужасные уроды, но такие душки. Правда? Очень крепко Вас, моя дорогая Татьяна Николаевна, целую. Мама и сестры Вам очень кланяются. Горячо Вас любящая всей душой Ваша
Ольга Воронова.

English translation (my own):

Petrograd.
Dec. 9th
1914
My dear and sweet Tatiana Nikolaevna,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your nice long letter. I was terribly happy to receive it. I am also very sad that we have not seen each other for a long time. Did you have a good trip?

You asked, dear Tatiana Nikolaevna, where is Mama's infirmary. It is at Zakharyevskaya 18. Mama asks me to tell you that she will be terribly happy and grateful if Her Majesty will allow you and Olga Nikolaevna to visit her little infirmary someday. Mama, of course, does not dare to count on a visit from Her Majesty, but she will be very grateful and happy if Her Majesty allows you to come. We go there often. Mama wants to arrange a Christmas party for the soldiers during the Holidays and buy all sorts of funny things and surprises. They too are sometimes like children and amuse with all sorts of nonsense.

Who gave you the dog? Those French bulldogs are terrible freaks, but such darlings. Right? I kiss you very firmly, my dear Tatiana Nikolaevna. Mama and sisters bow to you very much. Warmly loving you with all my soul
Olga Voronova.


Above: Alexandra with Olga and Tatiana. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Note: Tatiana had gotten a French bulldog puppy from Dmitri Malama, a patient at the infirmary. The puppy was named Ortipo.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated December 13, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK


Alexandra's letter of the previous day to Nicholas:


Alexandra's letter of the next day to Nicholas:





The letter:

Царское Село.
13го Декабря.
Дорогая милая моя Ольга,
Спасибо Вам большое за Ваше милое письмо.

Съездили хорошо. Массу лазаретов посетили. Каждый день по два или три. Мама очень устала конечно и сильный насморк. У Марии ангина небольшая, ужасно скучно. — Я ужасно довольна вернуться и снова ездить в наш лазарет.

Пишет ли Вам Ваш муж и где он теперь? По моему они где-то в другом месте но где не знаю.

Как грустно Вам наверно, первое Рождество не прочести вместе с Вашим мужем. В Москве последний день было чудное солнце, но холодно. Остальные дни все сыро и туманно.

К сожалению Папа с нами не вернулся и приедет в среду кажется т. к. он поехал в Ставку.

Как Вы себе чувствуете?

Ну, досвиданья. Крепко и нежно целую Вас дорогая Ольга как люблю.
Всей душой Ваша
Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe Selo.
December 13th.
My dear sweet Olga,
Thank you very much for your nice letter.

We went well. We visited masses of infirmaries. Every day two or three. Mama was very tired of course and had a bad cold. Maria has a bit sore throat, terribly boring. I'm terribly happy to be back and to go to our infirmary again.

Does your husband write to you and where is he now? I think they are somewhere else, but I don't know where.

How sad you must be, not spending the first Christmas with your husband. In Moscow the last day there was wonderful sun, but cold. The rest of the days are all damp and foggy.

Unfortunately Papa did not return with us and will arrive on Wednesday it seems because he has gone to Stavka.

How do you feel?

Well, goodbye. I kiss you firmly and tenderly dear Olga as I love you.
With all my soul
Tatiana.


Above: Alexandra with Olga and Tatiana. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated November 30, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK


Alexandra's letter of November 27 to Nicholas:


Alexandra's letter of November 28 and 29 to Nicholas:









The letter:

Царское-Село. 1914.
30го Ноября.
Ольга душка моя,
Спасибо Вам большое за милое письмо. Ужасно была рада его получить. Я сама собиралась Вам написать только не знала вернулись ли вы еще. Ужасно обрадовалась встретить Вашего мужа и страшно жалела, что Вас не видела.

В Ковно мы к сожалению всех наших не видали т. к. они были посланы в экспедицию куда-то. Так жалко. Но людей мы видели, они были на станции. Так их трудно узнать в другой форме. — Вашего мужа я тоже первый раз видела в сухопутной форме. Завтра Мама, Ольга и я едем на два дня в Москву потом в Тулу, Орел, Курск, Харьков. Везде будем осматривать лазареты. Потом в Воронеже 6го мы встретимся с Папа и поедем в Москву, туда приедут маленькие, 12го вероятно вернемся. — Всё это будет интересно, но ужасно грустно оставлять наш лазарет к которому мы страшно привязались и полюбили. — У нас все такие мысли и ужасно когда им приходится уезжать от нас. Теперь у нас двое раненых Нижегородцев которым делали вчера операции. Один очень страдает бедный. У него весь локоть раздроблен и массу вытащили кусков. Они такие все терпеливые, что удивляешься иногда. Вы про наше путешествие пока не говорите куда едем т. к. Мама не любит когда все заранее знают и ее ждут, хотя это почти всегда бывает, т. к. все всегда болтают. Как скучно, что мы так давно с Вами не видались: —

Как лазарет который Ваша Мама устроила?

Часто-ли Вы туда ездите?

Папа нам телеграфирует, что чудно теперь в Тифлисе тепло и ужасно все хорошо. Я должна по правде сказать, что мне ужас как хочется поехать на Кавказ, и потом он еще говорит, что в поезде почти жарко, что он сидит у открытой двери и греется на солнце. — Нам к сожалению трудно этому поверить, но очень бы хотелось, чтобы так было.

Когда мы вернулись из поездки я Вам непременно напишу.

Как Вы себя чувствуете?

У меня прелестная маленькая собачка, француз. биль. Такая душка. Она ужасно мило играет с собакой Алексея. —

Ольга и сестры Вас благодарят за поклон и целуют. От меня пожалуйста поцелуйте Вашу Мама и сестер. Если будете писать Вашему мужу передайте пожалуйста поклон.

Ну, досвиданья дорогая моя Ольга. Христос с Вами. Крепко и нежно целую Вас как люблю.
Любящая Вас очень
Ваша
Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe-Selo. 1914.
November 30th.
Olga my darling,
Thank you very much for your nice letter. Was terribly happy to receive it. I was going to write to you myself only I didn't know if you were back yet. I was terribly glad to meet your husband and terribly sorry that I did not see you.

Unfortunately we did not see all of our men in Kovno, because they were sent on an expedition somewhere. Such a pity. But we did see people, they were at the station. So they are difficult to recognise in a different form. I also saw your husband for the first time in a land uniform. Tomorrow Mama, Olga and I are going to Moscow for two days, then to Tula, Orel, Kursk, Kharkov. Everywhere we will inspect the infirmaries. Then in Voronezh on the 6th we will meet Papa and go to Moscow, the little ones will come there, we will probably return on the 12th. — All this will be interesting, but it is terribly sad to leave our infirmary to which we are terribly attached and of which we are so fond. — We all have such thoughts and it is terrible when they have to leave us. Now we have two wounded Nizhny Novgorod residents who were operated on yesterday. One suffers a lot, the poor thing. His entire elbow was shattered and a lot of pieces were pulled out. They are all so patient that sometimes you are surprised. Don't you say anything about our trip yet where we are going, because Mama doesn't like it when everyone knows in advance and waits for her, although this almost always happens, because everyone always chats. It's so boring that we haven't seen you for so long: —

Like the infirmary that your Mama set up?

Do you often go there?

Papa telegraphs us that now in Tiflis that it is wonderfully and terribly warm and all is well. I must tell the truth that I really want to go to the Caucasus, and then he also says that it is almost hot in the train, that he sits at the open door and basks in the sun. Unfortunately it's hard for us to believe this, but we would very much like it to be so.

When we returned from the trip, I will certainly write to you.

How are you feeling?

I have a lovely little doggy, a French bulldog. Such a darling. She is terribly cute playing with Alexei's dog. —

Olga and sisters thank you for the regards and kiss you. From me please kiss your Mama and sisters. If you write to your husband please give my regards.

Well, goodbye, my dear Olga. Christ be with you. I kiss you firmly and tenderly as I love you.
Loving you very much
Your
Tatiana.


Above: Alexandra with Olga and Tatiana. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Note: Tatiana named her puppy Ortipo.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated December 25, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK


The letter:

Царское Село.
25го Декабря 1914.
Спасибо Вам большое за Ваше милое письмо и вещи. Прошу Вас очень поблагодарить Вашего мужа за поздравления. —

Сегодня будет Елка в нашем лазарете у офицеров и мы туда поедем. —

У нас Елка была вчера днем.

Теперь у нас будет много Елок, для раненых и других.

Пожалуйста поздравьте от меня Вашу Мама и сестер. Мама наша страшно устала и сердце не хорошо т. к. ей пришлось все время вставать с кровати (когда надо было лежать) и всем выбирала и устраивала подарки, когда и без того плохо себя чувствовала.

Где Тата живет, в Петрограде или тут, и где? Т. к. мы когда теперь благодарили ее за письма не знаем куда адресовать потому и адресуем Вам.

Ну, досвиданья моя Ольга душка. Желаю Вам всего всего хорошего в Новом Году. Буду о Вас думать и поздравлять за 29 на рождение Вашего мужа.
Крепко и нежно Вас целую родная моя целую.
Всем сердцем Ваша
Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe Selo.
December 25th, 1914.
Thank you very much for your lovely letter and things. I ask you to thank your husband very much for the congratulations. —

Today there will be a Christmas tree in our infirmary with the officers and we will go there. —

We had a Christmas party yesterday afternoon.

Now we will have a lot of Christmas parties, for the wounded and others.

Please congratulate your Mama and sisters from me. Our Mama was terribly tired and her heart was not good, because she had to get out of bed all the time (when she had to lie down) and chose and arranged gifts for everyone when she already felt bad.

Where does Tata live, in Petrograd or here, and where? Because when we now thanked her for her letters, we don't know where to address, and so we address you.

Well, goodbye, my dear Olga. I wish you all the best in the New Year. I will think about you and congratulate you for the 29th on your husband's birthday.
I kiss you firmly and tenderly, my dear.
With all my heart
Tatiana.


Above: Alexandra with Tatiana.

Note: Tata = Natalia K. Kleinmichel.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated December 31, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK






The letter:

1914. 31го Декабря.
Александровский Дворец
Царское Село.
Дорогая моя милая Ольга,
Да пошлет Вам Бог всего всего хорошего в Новом году! Я Вас кажется еще не благодарила за последнее письмо. —

Так скучно, что Мама все еще себя нехорошо чувствует и не может ездить в лазарет. —

Часто ли получаете писем от Вашего мужа?

А брат Ваш где сейчас у [нрзб]? —

Я была очень рада, что хоть издали видела Вас на похоронах Бутакова.

Мы теперь каждый день ездим по разным лазаретам всех навещать. Очень хорошо устроен лазарет в Больш[ом] Дв[орце] где много офицеров. —

Там есть один бедный офицер л. Казачьего полка у которого ампутирована правая нога, он играет на гитаре и удивительно хорошо поет. Громко и долго ему не позволяют а так не совсем громко и тоже грустные вещи. Мне ужасно понравилось. Мне всегда так жалко тех несчастных у которых отняты нога или рука.

Лежали там стрелки 4го полка, но они уже все уехали обратно. Простите за такое скучное письмо. Всего Вам хорошего. Да хранит Вас Бог. Крепко и нежно целую и обнимаю Вас моя родная Ольга как люблю. Всем сердцем
Ваша
Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

1914. December 31st.
Alexander Palace
Tsarskoe Selo.
My dear darling Olga,
May God send you all the best in the New Year! I don't think I thanked you for the last letter. —

So tiresome that Mama still doesn't feel well and can't go to the infirmary. —

How often do you receive letters from your husband?

And where is your brother now at [...]? —

I was very glad that I saw you at least from a distance at Butakov's funeral.

Now we go every day to different infirmaries to visit everyone. The infirmary in the Big Palace is very well arranged, where there are many officers. —

There is one poor officer in the infirmary, from a Cossack regiment, whose right leg has been amputated, he plays the guitar and sings surprisingly well. Loudly and for a long time they do not allow him, otherwise not quite loudly and also sad things. I really liked him. I always feel so sorry for those unfortunates whose legs or arms have been taken off.

The riflemen of the 4th regiment had lain there, but they had all gone back. Forgive for such a boring letter. All the best to you. May God keep you. I kiss and embrace you firmly and tenderly, my dear Olga, as I love you. With all my heart
Your
Tatiana.


Above: Alexandra with Olga and Tatiana in their nursing uniforms.

Excerpt from Alix's letter to Nicholas, dated July 27 and 28 (New Style), 1894

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 177 to 179, by George Hawkins, 2023

George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook


The letter excerpt:

Thora is on deck being swung by Dr Woods on a little swing they hang up on purpose for her. The Island looks lovely to-day. How I miss you is not to be described, how mad we were that day and when you lay smoking on Granny's bed. Thora told it Admiral Fullerton and he roared. Schneiderlein and Gretchen are with us... The sea is like a looking glass — if it is only so on Tuesday it will be delightful. What fun we might have had were you here. I cannot enjoy myself properly without you, tho' I had to laugh before. We were up on the bridge and the wind wld catch under Thora's dress and blow it up so that she looked impossible and did not know how to move.

The letter in full:

No. 53
July 27th 1894
Душки Ники,
I am down below in the cabin where the piano is — this time it is open and there are tables with writing materials. To my joy I am going to have yr cabin — my name is already put in the place near the door. I shall kiss the name a certain person wrote and where he placed a kiss. I hope it will make me dream of you. Our party only consists of four as the others we had asked rebelled the last moment as they were afraid it might be ruff — nonsense, as there is no motion at all.

Thora is on deck being swung by Dr Woods on a little swing they hang up on purpose for her. The Island looks lovely to-day. How I miss you is not to be described, how mad we were that day and when you lay smoking on Granny's bed. Thora told it Admiral Fullerton and he roared. Schneiderlein and Gretchen are with us.

Fancy, one of the poor men of the explosion last week was swamped up near the yacht yesterday and he is now lying where the poor others were. It is too sad! The sea is like a looking glass — if it is only so on Tuesday it will be delightful. What fun we might have had were you here. I cannot enjoy myself properly without you, tho' I had to laugh before. We were up on the bridge and the wind wld catch under Thora's dress and blow it up so that she looked impossible and did not know how to move. We are going to have tea up there afterwards. We lunched at ¼ to 1 before coming on board. Schneiderlein grumbles because I did not learn properly to-day, my head is ramolie and empty, only one picture is in it. Whose?

Here I am home again. I have been rubbing Thora as poor Child had such a bad headache. Our trip was nice, the air so lovely but I could not help feeling depressed without you. I miss you too dreadfully my beloved sweet darling. I am going to rest now a bit and then shall continue before going to bed. "Loin des yeux mais près du coeur" "I love thee, I love thee, that's all I can say, it is my dreaming in the night, my vision in the day, the very echo of my heart, the blessing when I pray."

We had Lady's Dinner (dull) and then played duets of course. I can't write much to-day as I have such neuralgia and my right eye is fast closing. Lovy sweet, God bless you. Your little girly misses you badly and the evenings, how gently my poor tired Darling slept that night, I longed to keep you clasped in my arms and to have watched over you, but yr old man would have been too greatly shocked and who knows whom you might have met in the morning then.

Granny heard from Charlotte — she suffers from headaches, ever since she was thrown out of the carriage and is therefore going for a change of air to the Norderney. My Gentleman had concussion of the brain, but the ladies did not suffer in any way.

Now good night sweety, sleep well and dream of your forlorn spitzbub who is anxiously awaiting a letter from darling lausbub by to-morrow morning's post.

28th. Good morning. My hair is being done and I must finish this letter quickly as we are going to Ryde at 10.30 to be photographed. I hope they will succeed as then I shall send you some immediately and those of the other day I hope are at last finished. A good kiss for yr dear telegram I received this morning, it looks too mad in this impossible language.

It is 10 and I must dress and be off to breakfast otherwise Granny is sure to be there before me. Hang that clock striking, og dear, and my hair is not finished.

Schneiderlein will address this. A good kiss. Ever yr own deeply loving and ever faithful bridy
Alix

God bless you, sweety.


Above: Alix.


Above: Nicholas.


Above: Alix's cousin Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, known within the family as Thora.

Notes: "Душки Ники" = "Darling Nicky".

ramolie = exhausted.

"Loin des yeux mais près du coeur" = "Out of sight, but close to the heart".

Excerpt from Alix's letter to Nicholas, dated July 22 and 23 (New Style), 1894

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 160 to 163, by George Hawkins, 2023

George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook


The letter excerpt:

... God only knows the power of my love for you, it passes words, it is so great and almost overpowers me. You are wherever I look, always before me and in my heart engraved. To look into yr eyes is never to forget them, my many's lovely big eyes, so tender and loving, so kind and gentle, so adorable. And our evenings, thank you sweet one for having always come. I shall look back upon them and long for them over again. How patient and kind you were with me when I was stupied and tired — if you only knew how that constant pain wearies you, it is terrible. I was furious with myself for being to ramolie, but you were dearly kind to me and never grumbled.

What shall I do now all alone till 2, I shall feel so lonely and lost. My manykins you sweet beloved one, how I adore you!

We have just had our little breakfast to-gether and you have left for Church — no, what an angel you looked in yr naval dress and that is how my sweety runs about on board, bless him. Madelaine screams it is 20 m to 10 and Sundays Granny is punctual and I am not washed or any thing, tata for now... Only this still, I love you, my many, more than words can express and daily my affection grows stronger and deeper, sweety, what will be the end?

The letter in full:

No 47
Sunday July 22nd 1894
My own precious darling Nicky dear,
As I left you a few lines in yr room at Coburg so that you should find them when I was gone, so I am going to write again and give this to yr servant to give you when you have parted. It makes me too miserable to think of it — to-morrow evening, good-bye! Oh, sweety love, what shall I do without you, I am so accustomed now to have you always near me, that I shall feel quite lost, lovy mine. God bless you, may He watch over you on yr voyage and bring you safe home to yr belongings. You must tell yr Mama too how awfully happy we were that she wished you to go to yr Uncle's Silver Wedding as it thus enabled us to spend two more days to-gether. I hear them getting breakfast ready next door for my boysy sweet before he goes down to Church. Next year at this time, so God wills, I shall always go with you and then belong to you more than ever and you will help me to understand all, and to love yr religion as you do.

I am too happy to have been on the Полярная Звезда as now I can picture you to myself when you are there. Oh, Nicky mine, my thoughts will follow you and you will feel yr guardian angel hovering round you, though we be parted, our hearts and minds are not — we are linked to-gether with invisible light chains and nothing can tare us assunder. I think saying Good-bye is one of the hardest moments in our existence — to smile whilst one's heart is nigh breaking. I cannot bear to think of it. Oh, Nicky sweet, how I long for you, daily more and more, with unending true devotion — better far than I can say. I can only repeat it over and over again — I love you, I love you, I love you, adore and honour you and pray to God to make me more worthy of you, so that you may never find a reason to regret having taken yr little Spitzbub, who is so deeply and truly devoted [to] you. God only knows the power of my love for you, it passes words, it is so great and almost overpowers me. You are wherever I look, always before me and in my heart engraved. To look into yr eyes is never to forget them, my many's lovely big eyes, so tender and loving, so kind and gentle, so adorable. And our evenings, thank you sweet one for having always come. I shall look back upon them and long for them over again. How patient and kind you were with me when I was stupied and tired — if you only knew how that constant pain wearies you, it is terrible. I was furious with myself for being to ramolie, but you were dearly kind to me and never grumbled.

What shall I do now all alone till 2, I shall feel so lonely and lost. My manykins you sweet beloved one, how I adore you!

We have just had our little breakfast to-gether and you have left for Church — no, what an angel you looked in yr naval dress and that is how my sweety runs about on board, bless him. Madelaine screams it is 20 m to 10 and Sundays Granny is punctual and I am not washed or any thing, tata for now... Only this still, I love you, my many, more than words can express and daily my affection grows stronger and deeper, sweety, what will be the end?

Oh sweety, how could you go and give me that lovely ring to-day, really too bad of you. I shall doubly value and love it having received it from you in yr own little cabin on board. To think that my darling will be soon there, sailing far away from his little girly. Could I but slip into yr pocket instead of the thermometer, what unspeakable joy, to be ever near you and watch for every little wish to try and fulfil it, but some day I may do it, and then no more parting, always with you, Precious Pet in thought I cover yr sweet face with kisses and peep and gaze into my lovie's glorious eyes. Oh, my own sweetykins, I love you, love you madly, passionately, I cannot tire saying it, too long I have kept it back. Walton helped us to overcome our shyness, did it not? And so I shall always love the dear Elmgrove and my little room there. I kiss you lovie. Don't think this letter mad, but I must write this, my heart is too full, oh, and how I dread our parting, to-morrow the last day, I could cry my eyes out at the mere idea.

By braking yr journey at Copenhagen it will enable us to hear sooner from each other wh is one great thing, yr letters will be my only joy and I shall count the hours till they come. Oh but could I always keep you, you know how much I want it, and still I beg our Wedding not to be hurried — lovie with others it is different, I must know more Russian on account of the Religion to belong to yr faith not to understand as much as possible would never do. I shall learn hard and do my utmost. Why what wld I not do all for you, my own beloved boysy dear, my good, kind angel dear, who is always the same loving, honest, true, dear and kind to the extreme. God bless you for all the unspeakable happiness you have given me. How I shall meet your sweet evening's blessing, but our prayers will meet and our thoughts. I can imagine the happiness of all at home when you return — kiss all dears from me most tenderly. How lovely the sea looked this evening when we sat out on the beach, all so peaceful and quiet, a real Sunday evening.

It is a comfort possessing so many sweet photos of you — they surround me and look so sweet even that noughty young artillery officer! Oh, bad boysy, how you do spoil me — there, you have gone and given me that glorious brooch and the pearl drops, a thing I have always longed for, but still much too good for me, the ring was not enough, he must go and give me that, the bad child — it is too lovely, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for it, sweety dear, it has made me awfully happy. And now you have gone and given me that other glorious brooch with the two pearl drops. I felt quite shy wearing it to-night.

July 23rd. I felt too wretched and sad last night, our last evening to-gether. I longed to have kept you for ever clasped in my arms and to have let you sleep on and to have watched over you, so peaceful and calm, such love, I longed to have covered yr face with kisses for ever and ever. If you only could half feel what you are to me! I cannot describe it, words fail me, but I love you, love you. Adorable one, now comes the last sheet, our last day. I don't know how to keep up, and yet I must do so. It hurts having to look unconcerned and smiling when one's heart feels rent in twain. To think that to-morrow at this time you will be far away from me out on the big sea, steaming homewards and yr little bride left behind, yearning after you — how anxiously I shall await the telegram from Copenhagen saying my boy dear has arrived safely. I hope you will get a letter every day there and then find some at home. My Boysy dear, with what passion I love you, like a fire burning and consuming me and to feel this love returned, what bliss could be greater?

When a man goes in to wake you to-morrow morning, I hope he will bring you this so that at least a good morning kiss may reach you. I press it here.

Think of our next meeting, then it will be better, every day one shorter and will bring us sooner to-gether. My thoughts will always be with you and I shall hover round you, now that I know the yacht I can picture you to myself there. And the officers I am sure will be nice and cheer you up. How dear of you to give Madelaine that lovely bracelet, you do spoil every one so much. Like in Coburg the last day we were photographed to-gether, so we are done to-gether to-day.

Now sweetest love, my own precious Darling, I must say Goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen. God bless you with His infinite grace. Many tender kisses and fond prayers for your happiness and wellfare and god speed.
Yr own deeply loving, ever truly devoted and tenderly affectionate little bride
Alix


Above: Nicholas and Alix.

Notes: Полярная Звезда = Polar Star.

ramolie = exhausted.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated February 6/18, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Innigsten Dank für den lieben Brief, den ich gestern erhielt, es freut mich, dass es dem Kleinen wieder gut geht & dass er schön zunimmt. Wir sind soeben bei 22gr. Kälte Schlitten gefahren. Alles wohl, nur T[atiana] ein wenig erkältet.

English translation (my own):

Heartiest thanks for the lovely letter I received yesterday, I am glad that the Little One is doing well and that he is gaining weight. We are just at 22deg. sledding in the cold. All is well, only Tatiana has a little cold.


Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's letter to Toni Becker, dated May 17/29, 1899

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The letter:

Peterhof
Den 17/29. Mai 1899
Meine liebste Toni,
Es ist ewig lange her, dass ich Dir zuletzt schrieb. Von Herzen danke ich Dir für Deinen lieben Brief — eure Reise muss reizend gewesen sein. — Nach abermaliger Kälte haben wir endlich warmes Wetter, nur regnet es beständig & der Flieder will doch noch immer nicht blühen. — Die Kinder sind viel im Freien, & es bekommt ihnen recht gut — sie sind munter und vergnügt, wachsen sehr & sprechen viel. Der Winter war ein schlechter für die Kleinen & mich, denn wir haben dreimal die abscheuliche Influenza gehabt. — Wir sind hier seit 9 Tagen & ich bin glücklich wieder an der See zu sein. — Mein Mann besichtigt einige Schiffe heute in Kronstadt. Gestern spielte er zwei Stunden lang Lawn-Tennis. Sonst schiebt er mich meistens überall im Garten herum in meinem Rollstuhle, denn gehen kann ich nicht seit der Krim. Ebenso nicht stehen, da ich dann gleich solch arge Schmerzen auch, daher die abscheuliche Handschrift. — Diesmal werd es besonders schwer wieder werden, da ich so lange elend bin. — Denke an mich, willst Du — um meinen Geburtstag herum — wie schön wenn es gerade am 6ten wäre! Deine Kleinen müssen süss sein. Deine letzte Photo mag ich gar nicht. Doch genug für heute, ich bin zu müde um mehr zu schreiben.
Es umarmt Dich innigst
Deine treue Alte

Ich werde an eurem Hochzeitstage in Liebe Deiner gedenken. —

English translation (my own):

Peterhof
May 17/29. 1899
My dearest Toni,
It has been a long, long time since I last wrote to you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your lovely letter — your trip must have been lovely. — After repeated cold weather we at last have warm weather, only it rains constantly & the lilacs still will not bloom. — The Children are outdoors a lot & it suits them quite well — they are lively and happy, growing a lot & talking a lot. The winter has been a bad one for the Little Ones & me as we have had the dreadful influenza three times. — We have been here for 9 days & I am happy to be back at the sea. — My husband is inspecting some ships in Kronstadt today. He played lawn tennis for two hours yesterday. Otherwise he usually pushes me all over the garden in my wheelchair, as I have not been able to walk since the Crimea. Also mustn't stand, as then I will be in such awful pain, hence the abominable handwriting. — This time it will be particularly difficult again, as I have been miserable for so long. — Think of me, will you — around my Birthday — how nice if it were the 6th! Your Little Ones must be sweet. Your last photo I don't like at all. But enough for today, I am too tired to write more.
A hearty embrace
Your faithful Alte

I will remember you with love on your wedding day. —


Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Note: This letter was written a month before Alexandra gave birth to her third daughter Maria.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated January 28/February 12, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

I hope Baby is continuing well & that you are no longer anxious. My sister-in-law is also much better, but it gave us a great fright when we heard that she had diphteria. We are all well. Love A.


Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated February 3/15, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Hope Baby getting on well and you feel strong. Snows daily but less cold. Children well. Again took O[lga] sledging yesterday. — Have good news from my brother in Capri are enjoying themselves there. Christel well. Best love, A.


Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's second letter to Nicholas, dated June 14 and 15, 1915

Source:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923


The letter:

No. 86.
Tsarskoje Selo, June 14-th 1915
My own beloved Nicky,
So many thanks for yr. dear telegram. Poor Darling, even on Sunday a council of ministers! — We had a nice drive to Pavlovsk, coming back, little Georgi on his small motor (like Alexeis) flew into our carriage, but luckily he did not upset & his machine was not spoiled. — Paul came to tea & remained 1 & ¾ hours, he was very nice & spoke honestly & simply, meaning well, not wishing to meddle with what does not concern him, only asking all sorts of things wh. I now repeat to you, with his knowledge. Well, to begin with, Paleolog dined with him a few days ago & then they had a long private talk & the latter tried to find out from him, very cleverly, whether he knew if you had any ideas about forming a seperate peace with Germany, as he heard such things being spoken about here, & as tho' in France one had got wind of it — & that there they intend fighting to the very end. Paul answered that he was convinced it was not true, all the more, as at the outset of the war we & our allies had settled, that peace could only be concluded together on no account separately. Then I told Paul that you had heard the same rumour about France; & he crossed himself when I said you were not dreaming of peace & knew it would mean revolution here & therefore the Germans are trying to egg it on. He said he had heard even the German mad conditions posed to us. — I warned him he wld. next hear, that I am wishing peace to be concluded. —

Then he asked me whether it was true that Stcheglovitov was being changed & that rotten Manukhin named in his place — I said I knew nothing, wh. is the truth, & neither why Stchegl. has chosen the moment now to go to the Solov. convent. Then he mentioned another thing to me wh. tho' painful its better to warn you about — namely, that since 6 months one speaks of a spy being at the Headquarters & when I asked the name, he said Gen. Danilov (the black one), that from many sides one has told him this "feeling", & that now in the army one speaks about it. Lovy mine, Vojeikov is sly & clever, talk to him about this, & let him slyly & cleverly try & have an eye upon the man & his doings — why not have him watched — of course as Paul says one has the spy mania now, but as things are at once known abroad wh. only very wellinitiated people at the Headquarters can know, this strong doubt has arisen, & Paul thought it honest to ask me whether you had ever mentioned this to me — I said no. — Only dont mention it to Nikolasha before you have taken information, as he can spoil all by his excited way & tell the man straight out or disbelieve all. But I think, it would only be right, tho' the man may seem perfectly charming & honest, to have him watched. Whilst you are there the yellow men & others can use eyes & ears & watch his telegrams & the people he sees etc. One pretends as tho' he often receives big sums. I only tell you all this, knowing nothing whether there is any foundation to it, only better to warn you. Many dislike the Headquarters & have an uncomfortable feeling there & as, alas, we have had spies & also innocent people accused by Nikolasha, now you can find out carefully, please. — Paul says Schtcherbatov's nomination was hailed with delight; he does not know him. — Forgive my bothering you so, poor weary Sweetheart, but one longs to be of help & perhaps I can be of some use giving over such messages. —

Mary Vassiltchikov & family live in the green corner house & fr. her window she watches like a cat all the people, that go in & out of our house & makes her remarks. She drove Isa wild asking why the children one day went out of one gate on foot & next time on bicycles, why an officer comes with a portfolio in the morning in one uniform & differently dressed in the evening — told Css. Fred. that she saw Gr. driving in — (odious). So to punish her, we went to A. this evening by a round about way, so she did not see us pass out. He was with us fr. 10-11½ in her house — I send you a stick (fish holding a bird) wh. was sent to Him fr. New Athos to give to you — he used it first & now sends it to you as a blessing — if you can sometimes use it, wld. be nice & to have it in yr. compartment near the one Mr. Ph. touched, is nice too. He spoke much & beautifully — & what a Russian Emperor is, tho' other Sovereigns are anointed & crowned, only the Russian one is a real Anointed since 300 years. Says you will save your reign by not calling out the 2nd class now — says Shakhovskoy was delighted you spoke about it, because the ministers agreed, but had you not begun, they did not intend speaking.

Finds, you ought to order fabricks to make Ammunition, simply you to give the order even choose wh. fabrick, if they show you the list of them, instead of giving the order over through commissions wh. talk for weeks & never can make up their minds.

Be more autocratic my very own Sweetheart, show your mind. —

The exhibition-bazar began to-day in the big Palace, on the terrace — not very big (have not yet been there) & our works are already bought up, it's true we had not done very much & we shall continue working & sending things there; they sold over 2100 entrance tickets à 10 kop., soldiers (wounded) need not pay, as they must go & see what works please them & wh. they can make.

I gave a few of our vases & two cups, as they always attract people.

Tell the old man I saw his family a moment yesterday, when I went to fetch Ania at Ninis, & found the three ladies looking well. Tell Vojeikov, that I find his cabinet quite charming (happily not smelling of cigars).

Now I must go to sleep & finish to-morrow. —

So fresh, we dined out & there were only 9 degrees. Baby enjoyed Peterhof & then the games with the officers. Dmitri is better & hopes to leave on Thursday, if even on crutches — is in despair to have remained behind.

The last Dolgoruky, Alexei died in London. — Sleep peacefully & rest well, my treasure — I have blessed & kissed your cushion, as alas have not you here to tenderly caress & codle. Goodnight my Angel. —

June 15-th. Very fine again, am writing on the balkony, we have lunched, then I must receive some officers & hereafter go to Mavra. We photographed at the hospital in the garden & sat on the balkony after we had finished everything. —

Do so long for news. — Wonder how long you will remain away.

Ania has gone for the first time to town by motor to her Parents, as her Mother is ill, & then to our Friend. —

Now goodbye my very own, longed for Treasure, my Sweetheart, I kiss you ever so fondly & pray God to bless, protect & guide you
Yr. own old
Wify

Have you the patience to read such long letters?


Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.


Above: Alexandra and Anna Vyrubova with Olga and Tatiana.


Above: Alexandra with Alexei.


Above: Grigori Rasputin.

Note: Alexandra often referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".