Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 87.
Tsarskoje Selo, June 15-th 1915
My own beloved One,
Before going to sleep, I begin my letter to you. Thanks for yr. wire, I received during dinner — we dined in, as there were only 9 degrees & I had just had my head washed. I am sorry fat O. no more sends me telegrams, I suppose there is nothing particular to tell. When you are not there, one gets no direct news & feels lost. I am eagerly awaiting your promised letter. —
Town is so full of gossip, as tho' all the ministers were being changed — Krivoshein first minister, Manukhin instead of Stcheglovitov, Gutchkov as side to Polivanov & so on & our Friend, to whom A. went to bid goodbye, was most anxious to know what was true. (As though also Samarin instead of Sabler, whom it is better not to change before one has a very good one to replace him, certainly Samarin wld. go against our Friend & stick up for the Bishops we dislike — he is so terribly Moscovite & narrowminded). Well, A. answered that I knew nothing. He gave over this message for you, that you are to pay less attention to what people will say to you, not let yourself be influenced by them but use yr. own instinct & go by that, to be more sure of yourself & not listen too much nor give in to others, who know less than you. The times are so serious & grave, that all your own personal wisdom is needed & yr. soul must guide you. He regrets you did not speak to Him more about all you think & were intending to do so & speak about with yr. ministers & the changes you were thinking of making. He prays so hard for you and Russia & can help more when you speak to Him frankly. — I suffer hideously being away from you. 20 years we shared all together, & now grave things are passing, I do not know your thoughts nor decisions, & its such pain. God help & guide you aright, my own sweet Darling. — I too am much quieter when you are here — I dread their profiting of yr. kind heart & making you do things, wh., when calmly thought over here, you wld. perhaps do otherwise.
I went to Mavra for an hour, she is calm & brave — Tatiana looks awful & yet thinner & greener. — How too horribly sad that accident is that occurred to the young couple Kazbek. They were going at a terrific speed in their motor & flew against a Schlagbaum, wh. they did not see was closed. He was killed on the spot & she has her arm broken, at first they said her both legs & head, but now one says only the arm & not so bad & one has not told her about her husband. The wretched Father has now lost his third son — ghastly. — We went to the exhibition-bazar — very nice works made by the wounded were shown & I hope it will prove useful & encourage all learning some handicraft. — My head ached again rather, so I better try & sleep now — it is 12½. All my prayers & tenderest thoughts surround you in deepest love & compassion. Oh, how I long to help you & give you faith in yourself. — How long do you remain still? Sleep well & peacefully, holy Angels guard yr. slumber.
June 16-th. Just received yr. precious letter, for wh. heartfelt thanks. Glad you were contented with the work & sitting. Yes, Lovy, about Samarin I am much more than sad, simply in despair, just one of Ella's not good, very biggoted clique, bosom friend of Sophie Iv. Tiutchev, that bishop Trifon I have strong reason to dislike, as he always spoke & now speaks in the army against our Friend — now we shall have stories against our Friend beginning & all will go badly. I hope heart & soul he wont accept — that means Ella's influence & worries fr. morn to night, & he against us, once against Or. & so awfully narrowminded a real Moscou type — head without soul. My heart feels like lead, 1000 times better Sabler a few months still than Samarin.
Have the church procession now, don't go putting it off, Lovy, listen to me, its serious, have it quicker done, now is lent, therefore more appropriate, chose Peter & Paul day, but now soon. Oh, why are we not together to speak over all together & to help prevent things wh. I know ought not to be. Its not my brain wh. is clever, but I listen to my soul & I wish you would too my own sweetest One. —
I don't want to croak, but I only say all straight out to you. — Goodbye my own & all, God bless & help you — I kiss you without end.
Ever yr. own sad
Wify.
Nicholas's letter:
Stavka. 15 June, 1915.
MY BELOVED DARLING SUNNY,
My tenderest thanks for your two sweet letters. Yesterday I had not a minute to spare to write to you, as I was busy all day long. It was Marie's birthday, and it gave me happiness to be able to go to church in the morning.
I spoke to Shavelsky about arranging, for some day or other, krestny khod all over Russia. He thought it a very good idea, and suggested for it the 8th of July, the day of the Mother of God of Kazan, which is celebrated everywhere. He sends you his deepest respects. In our conversation he alluded to Sabler, and said that it would be necessary to replace him. It is remarkable how everyone understands this, and wishes to see a clean, pious and well-meaning man in his place. Old Gorem., and Krivoshein and Shcherbatov have all told me the same thing, and believe that Samarin would be the best man for this post. I remember now that, about six years ago, Stolypin wished to have him in his Ministry, and spoke to him with my permission, but he declined. I have given Gorem. leave to send for him and to offer him this appointment. I am sure that you will not like this, because of his being a Muscovite, but these changes must be brought about, and it is necessary to select a man whose name is known to the whole nation and who is unanimously respected. One can work with such men in the Government, and they will all hold together (or use their force together — i. e., in harmony) — that is quite obvious.
Fortunately yesterday's conference was held in the large tent, and lasted from 2 till 5 o'clock. I was rather tired, but N. and all of them were greatly pleased. Old Gor. expressed the opinion that this conference here was more productive of results than three months of their ordinary work.
In my next letter I shall tell you some of the details of it; to-day I have no time. My papers are neglected, and I must look through them.
Somehow I miss you particularly in these days, my Ray of Sunshine! God bless you! I kiss you and the dear children tenderly.
Unchangeably your old hubby
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
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Above: Grigori Rasputin.
Notes: Alexandra often called Grigori Rasputin "our Friend".
Schlagbaum = barrier, tollbar.
krestny khod (крестный ход) = the procession of the Cross.
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