Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 107.
Tsarskoje Selo, Aug. 30-th 1915
My own beloved Darling,
Again a lovely sunny morning with a fresh breeze — one appreciates the bright weather so much after the grey weather we had & darkness. With eagerness I throw myself every morning upon the Novoje Vremia, & thank God every day good things are to be read about our brave troops, — such consolation, ever since you came God really sent His blessing through you to the troops & one sees with what new energy they fight. — Could one but say the same thing about the interior questions. Gutchkov ought to be got rid of, only how is the question, war-time — is there nothing one could hook on to have him shut up. He hunts after anarchy & against our dynasty, wh. our Friend said God would protect — but its loathsome to see his game, his speeches & underhand work. On Thursday their questions in the Duma are coming out, luckily a week late — could one not shut it before — only dont change the old man now, later when it pleases you, Gorem. agrees to this, Andron. & Khvostov — that it would be playing into their hands. They cannot get over yr. firmness, as had sworn they would not let you go — now you keep on in this spirit. You are still as full of energy & firmness, tell me Lovy?
Its horrid not being with you. Have so many questions to ask & things to say & alas, we have no cypher together — cannot through Drent. & by telegraph do not dare either — as others watch them — am sure the ministers who are badly intentioned towards me, will keep an eye upon me, & then that makes one nervous what to write. — We went to Church & then had luncheon on the balkony, Sonia too. — I received 5 of my Alexandr. as its their visit. — Then Maximovitch & we had a long talk about everything — he was glad to see my spirits up & my energy, & I begged him also to pay attention — the same Css. Fred. told him about Orlov who before him neither dares say anything incorrect. O. now spreads that our Friend had him sent away — others say he lives at T. S., as before they said we had Ernie here.
I saw Mme Ridiger, the widow of one of the Georgian officers, he is buried at Bromberg — I have asked her to look after my Sanatorium at Massandra. Here is wire A. got from our Friend just now. —
"On the first news of the Ratniki being called, inquire carefully when our (his) government is to go. Gods will, those are the last crumbs of the whole. Gracious St. Nicolas, may he work miracles." — Can you find out when those of his government (Tobolsk) are taken & let me at once know. — I suppose in yr. staff all is marked down exactly. Does it mean his boy, but he is not a ratnik. So strange, when Praskovia left, he said she would not see her boy again. —
Maksim. found hospitals in good order, but the atmosphere needing a strong hand to keep order — he finds Yussupov ought to go back again & not stick here, with wh. I agree. —
Botkin told me, as Gardinsky (Ania's friend) was returning fr. the south, where he had been to see his mother, in the train he heard two gentlemen speaking nasty about me & he at once smacked them in the face & said they could complain if they liked but he had done his duty & would do it to all who allowed themselves to speak so. Of course they shut up. — Just energy & courage are needed, & all goes well. — Am anxious, no wire from you, whether you got my telegram last night about the Tail — Khvostov — he made such an excellent impression upon her, & I should like you to have read my letter before settling with Gorem. & did you get both letters on Saturday. — You are too far away, one cant get at you quickly. —
Only quickly shut the Duma before their "questions" can come out. Continue being energetic. Maksim. was delighted. To Botk. I told a lot to make him understand things, as he is not always as I should wish — he saw I know all & could make him understand things he was unclear about. I talk away, its necessary to shake all up & show them how to think & act. —
Can you give, or send through yr. man the enclosed letter to N. P. — not through Dmitri only — as he wld. make remarks that we write. It will amuse you how Anastasia writes to him. — I enclose a petition from our Friend, you write your decision upon it, I think it certainly might be done. — Aeroplans are flying overhead, I am in bed, resting before dinner. — If there is anything interesting, can yr. Mama & I get the news in the evening as its long waiting till the next morning. — Now must end. Goodbye & God bless you my Beloved, my Sunshine, my life. Miss you greatly. Kiss you over & over again. Ever yr. very own wify
Alix.
Bow to old man. — It seems La Guiche when here shortly, spoke against N. being changed, in the club (Sandro L. heard it) so be a little careful what sort of man he is. — All look upon yr. new work as a great exploit.
A. kisses you very tenderly. Please quickly give me an answer.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 30 August, 1915.
Heartfelt thanks for two dear letters, which I received yesterday evening. I saw the old man; we spoke of many things, but I postponed the final decision till my return. To-day, to my great joy, Keller suddenly appeared, looking well. He is returning to the front. I gave him your greetings. Delightful weather...
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Notes: Alexandra often referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
ratnik (ратник) = warrior, soldier (archaic word).
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