Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 136.
Tsarskoje Selo, Oct. 7-th 1915
My very Own,
Sweetest Darling, I try to picture to myself how you sat answering congratulations. I also got from some of Baby's regiments (I collect his regimental ones for him during the war) & I answered that he was at the Headquarters, as I was sure it would rejoice their hearts to know Father and Son together. — Since yesterday evening it gently snows, but scarcely any remains lying — does seem so early already to have real winter beginning.
Lovy Dear, I send you two stamps (money) fr. our Friend, to show you that already one of them is false. People are very discontented — such wee papers flie away, in the darkness they cheat the cabmen & its not a good thing — he entreats you to have it stopped at once. — That rotten Bulgaria, now we shall have them turning against us from the south, or do you think they will only turn against Servia & then Greece — its vile. Did you wire to old King Peter, our Friend wanted it so much.
Oh my love, its 20 m. to 8 & I am absolutely cretinised have heaps to say & don't know how to begin. — 10½-12½ operation, & gips being put on — 12 — 1 Krivoshein, we only spoke about the home manufactures committee how to arrange it, whom to invite etc. Girls came late to lunch, had to choose cloaks for them, received officers — Bark for ½ hour, then to big palace. Then got yr. precious letter for wh. I thank you without end, you sweet One — I loved to get it & have reread it & kissed it & Tiny's too. — Our Friend is rather anxious about Riga, are you too? —
I spoke to Bark about the stamps — he also found the stamps wrong, wants to get the Japanese to make coins for us — & then to have the paper-money, instead of wee stamps, like the Italian lire, wh. is then really paper-money. —
He was very interesting. Then Mme Zizi, then young Lady Sybil de Grey, who has come to arrange the English Hospital & Malcolm (whom I knew before, was at Mossy's Wedding, our Coronation as a fair curly young man in a kilt), both remained 20 minutes each.
Then Khvostov till this minute & my head buzzes from everything.
As remplacant of Dzhunkovsky for the Gendarmes he thought Tatischev (Zizi's son in law) might do, discrete & a real gentleman — only then he ought to wear a uniform — you gave Obolensky one again & Kurlov & Prince Obolensky general governor of Finland — he asked me to tell you this beforehand so as that you should think whether it would suit you. He wishes to ask to be received next week by you & he told me the different questions he will touch.
To-morrow I'll try & write more, when can calmly shape all into words — I am too idiotical this evening. — Our Friend was very contented with yr. decree about Bulgaria, found it well worded. —
I must then end now. Thanks again over & over for yr. sweetest letter, beloved Angel. I can see you & the wee one in the morning & be talking to you whilst you half sleep. Bad Boy wrote today: Papa made smells much and long this morning. Too noughty!
Oh my Angels how I love you — but you will miss him shockingly later.
Just got your telegram. What news Deary, I long to have some, it seems very difficult again, does it not?
Goodbye my Sun, I cover you with fond kisses. Bless you my Love.
Ever yr. very own old
Sunny.
Nicholas's letter:
Mogilev. 7 October, 1915
MY DEAR, PRECIOUS WIFY,
My warmest thanks for your dear letter. You have suddenly numbered your last two letters No. 465 and 466 running ahead by a whole hundred — the last before these was No. 364. Agoosenki! Please thank all the girls [for] their letters.
There is no sun to-day for the first time — it has been grey and dreary; my report was finished earlier than usual and I went into the little garden where Alexey was marching about, singing loudly, and Derevenko, was walking on another path, whistling. I had not been there since the day of our arrival. His left hand hurts him a little, because yesterday he worked in the sand on the river bank, but he pays no attention to it and is very cheerful. After lunch he always rests for about half an hour, and Mr. Gilliard reads to him, while I write. At the table, he sits on my left: George is usually his neighbour. Alexey loves to tease him. It is extraordinary how he has lost his shyness! He always follows me when I greet my gentlemen, and stands still during our zakouska.
You must save up your strength now, to be able to stand the fatiguing journey here! Please.
The news which comes from all our fronts is good — with the exception of the vicinity of Riga, where our troops have abandoned their advanced positions too quickly. Three Generals will pay for this — I gave Rouzsky orders to dismiss them and to replace them by better ones; they are my first victims, but deservedly so.
The little Admiral had not answered my letter then, but now he asks for leave to go to Kislovodsk for a short cure.
Well, my little bird, it is time to finish, as the train is leaving earlier than usual. God bless you and the girls!
With warm good wishes and most ardent love always, my precious darling,
Your loving old
NICKY.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Alexei with Pierre Gilliard.
Above: Grigori Rasputin.
Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
Servia = the old name for Serbia.
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