Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 109.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 1-st 1915
My own sweet Nicky dear,
Grey and dark & I am writing by lamp light. Slept badly. — Looked through the papers — what terrible hard work for our troups, such concentrated strength against us — but God will help on. It is pleasure to read how much clearer better the news is written now & it strikes all — it explains everything easier. — Is the Duma being closed? Every day articles, that its impossible one will send it away when so much needed etc. but you see the papers too — high time 2 weeks ago to have closed it. —
But they do go on persecuting the German names, Stcherbatov, who told me he would be just and not harm them, now bows down to the wishes of the Duma, clears away all German names — poor Gilhen hunted away one, two, three from Bessarabia, he came crying to old Mme Orlov. Really he is a mad coward — all those honest people, completely Russian besides — kicked out — why, Lovy, did you give the sanction?
Change him quicker, one only gains enemies instead of loyal subjects — the mess he makes in a day will take years to correct.
A. got a charming telegram from Kussov intensely happy having heard the news about you. — She saw Bezak at Nini's, & he spoke splendidly, enchanted that Dgl. Orl. & Nik. have left & Nikolai agrees too, says it right & left, & spoke so well about Goremykin. — One says the prorogation of the Duma till Oct. 15, pitty date is fixed so early again, but thank goodness it now dispersed — only one must work firmly now to prevent them doing harm when they return. The press must really be taken better in hand — they intend launching forth things soon against Ania — that means me again, our Friend was for me too, so A. sent a letter she received to Vojeikov to-day, that he must insist Frolov should forbid any articles about our Friend or A. being written, they have the military power & its easy for them. — Vojeik. must take it upon himself, yr. name has not got to be mentioned — in his place, V. has to guard our lives & anything that harms us, & these articles are against us; nothing at all to be afraid of, only very energetic measures must be taken — you have shown yr. will & no slacking in any direction — once begun its easy to continue. —
The operation went off well & then I did some dressing. Little Ivan Orlov was very interesting, he has 3 St. George's crosses is presented to the officers cross & has St. Stanislav with Swords. He was a little contusioned & two men killed, bombs were thrown on his mashene, when it was on the ground. He has come for another. Throws bombs & arrows & papers warning them. — Kniazhevitch came for a few days — looks well. —
Then we drove, became sunny & nice. Met Baby in Pavlovsk park in his big motor with the boys. —
Thats nice Kirill is now too at the H.-Q., can have good talks with him. Egg him on to get rid of Nic. Vass.
I shall go with the big girls to town to-morrow to see our wounded, who returned from Germany, & then to tea in Elagin, & hope to place a candle at the Saviour Church for your. — We were yesterday evening at Anias to see Shourik & Yusik. — I have nothing interesting to tell you my Sweetheart. God bless & protect you & help you in your very hard work & send force & success to our troops. A thousand kisses, Nicky mine, fr. yr. very own deeply loving old
Wify.
Our Friend is in despair his boy has to go to the war, — the only boy, who looks after all when he is away. —
Fat Orlov says he has been told not to leave before you return & he still hopes to remain. — His amour propre is hideously wounded — forgets all he has said & done no doubt, & all his dirty money affairs. — Zinaïda one says rages, that the 3 have left, & in the next room Papa Felix tells Bezak he is delighted they have gone. —
Tell the old man I saw his wife & 2 daughters at the door & they look well & have left for Siverskaja. —
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka[.] 1 September, 1915.
My sincerest thanks to you and to Marie for your dear letters. Kyrill and Dmitry thank you very much. To-day I went for a long drive in the car. Wonderful country and weather! I kiss you fondly.
NICKY.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Note: Alexandra usually referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
