Source:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 197 to 199, by George Hawkins, 2023
George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Peterhof
July 21/Aug 2 1894
N53
My own true Lovy-dear,
Many fondest thanks and loving kisses do I send you with these lines for your dear letter No 55 which I found lying on the table when I came back from a drive on my bicycle! This afternoon I got also two telegrams fr you my sweetykins, oh! how happy I am to know you safely arrived and home again! We are nearer each other now, my Alixy, which is a comfort because our letters will take less time to arrive!
I have got some of the nice new photos of us two, I have put them up on the writing-table and upstairs in my bedroom — it is such a pleasure for me to look at them, only you have got such a sad expression nearly on all — it is true it has been made on the last day! Lovy-dear, you look too thweet for words with that sailor's cap on — you must wear it sometimes at Darmstadt when I come, I shall also bring mine! I like the tiny ones the best and have telegraphed to the man "Now" to send me some more of them! I am glad you had the chance of bathing, though I long to have splashed in the sea with you. Schneiderlein must have looked killing, I am sorry I missed that sight, she looks like a match I am sure!
I have not begun any of your books, but will certainly read them when I have more time! It is simply awful what my room downstairs looks like: heaps of papers, illustrations, photographs, presents, things I brought with me etc — and till now I cannot force myself to get them all in order!
I like that dream you had when orchie saw us late in the evening sitting up together! If she is now with you, do give her many kind messages fr me. Won't she be rather a bore when I come to Darmstadt! But as we shall probably be still more together all day long, it won't be necessary to borrow so many hours of the night! won't it, darling little one?
The weather is fine and not too hot, just what I like. It is funny, but I assure you, I am already sunburnt; as soon as I get home, into the air I am accustomed to, I feel quite another man, and am capable of taking any amount of exercise or working hard the whole day!
Nicky (greek) arrived today from the camp where he spends his time in my regiment. He is delighted to be there and tomorrow I join him and my battalion. Now good-bye, my lovykins for awhile, I must get ready for dinner.
The letter in full:
Peterhof
July 21/Aug 2 1894
N53
My own true Lovy-dear,
Many fondest thanks and loving kisses do I send you with these lines for your dear letter No 55 which I found lying on the table when I came back from a drive on my bicycle! This afternoon I got also two telegrams fr you my sweetykins, oh! how happy I am to know you safely arrived and home again! We are nearer each other now, my Alixy, which is a comfort because our letters will take less time to arrive!
I have got some of the nice new photos of us two, I have put them up on the writing-table and upstairs in my bedroom — it is such a pleasure for me to look at them, only you have got such a sad expression nearly on all — it is true it has been made on the last day! Lovy-dear, you look too thweet for words with that sailor's cap on — you must wear it sometimes at Darmstadt when I come, I shall also bring mine! I like the tiny ones the best and have telegraphed to the man "Now" to send me some more of them! I am glad you had the chance of bathing, though I long to have splashed in the sea with you. Schneiderlein must have looked killing, I am sorry I missed that sight, she looks like a match I am sure!
I have not begun any of your books, but will certainly read them when I have more time! It is simply awful what my room downstairs looks like: heaps of papers, illustrations, photographs, presents, things I brought with me etc — and till now I cannot force myself to get them all in order!
I like that dream you had when orchie saw us late in the evening sitting up together! If she is now with you, do give her many kind messages fr me. Won't she be rather a bore when I come to Darmstadt! But as we shall probably be still more together all day long, it won't be necessary to borrow so many hours of the night! won't it, darling little one?
The weather is fine and not too hot, just what I like. It is funny, but I assure you, I am already sunburnt; as soon as I get home, into the air I am accustomed to, I feel quite another man, and am capable of taking any amount of exercise or working hard the whole day!
Nicky (greek) arrived today from the camp where he spends his time in my regiment. He is delighted to be there and tomorrow I join him and my battalion. Now good-bye, my lovykins for awhile, I must get ready for dinner.
Now it is late in the evening but I must have a little talk with my "Sunny", I could not go to sleep else! Serge and Ella arrived fr Moscow and they dined with us, also a. Miechen u. Wladimir, u. Alexis, Paul and the cousins. I was right pleased to see Ella again, of course, there was no end of talking about you — I love talking about my sweetykins, when she is far away, and with her own sister who sometimes reminds me of my little bride. I told her that she was to write to you and she said it was wrong and lazy of her not answering Granny's or yr letters! I gave all your love and they thank you heartily, especially a. Miechen.
This morning all the family went to Petersburg by sea — there was the "панихида" for Grandpapa and Gra[n]dmama, as tomorrow used to be her namesday. On our way back we lunched on board the "Alexandria" which was a pleasant sort of a picnic! From the peer we drove to the palace (where lovy dear lived as a small child 10 years ago) and looked at Xenia's trousseau. Lor! what a quantity of dresses she receives, some reminded me of your's, especially the tea-gowns! I can see your sweet little bed-room at Windsor, with lots of dresses and stuffs hanging over the bed and sopha and I and Madelaine helping you to try them! Oh! my precious little one, I miss you and want you back so fearfully, come my Alixy, come to your old boysy, who loves you more deeply than he can say. Let me clasp my arms round you and keep you tight on my heart. But "patience", that will come!
It is getting late, sweetykins and I must be early up tomorrow — it is Mama's namesday. Good-night and God bless you, my angel. How thankful I am to Him for bringing you safely home!
Ever your own (your's unto death) deeply loving and utterly devoted, faithful and truly affectionate Nicky
Sweet one! Alixy-dear!
Above: Nicholas and Alix.
Note: панихида = a memorial service in the Russian Orthodox Church.
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