Alix's letter to Ernst, year 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

Darling Ernie,
As I could not say Goodbye to Eddy this evening, perhaps he might first come to the door to-morrow before leaving, like last year, and I could be there in my sort of dressing gown, don't you think so. Perhaps you might ask to. — Your Alix.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's unfinished letter to Ernst, year 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

Jill's young ones are such pretty & nice little things, I am sure that the 2 Gentlemen & Marie Erbach, will be enchanted with them. Lovely fine, warm weather, yesterday evening between 7 & 8 it was getting rather chilly. Frau Strecker came, as she had to see Victoria about business. Orchie is there so I must stop. I have just had my bath & Irène is splashing now in hers. Orchie is lighting the burling tongs, & I am writing on "Golden Deeds".

I am going to write the address of stuff for bights of insects. Prepared only by Gibbs & Gurnell, 34 Union Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The good smell you like. — I hope you will get this letter in time for ordering it. — Now Irène is having her hair done, & I mine curled. I must stop as I am nearly dressed. Ever your own loving Alix.

[P. S.] The clock is striking 8.

Messages to H. Muther & to Don.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 1/13, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

Darling Ernie,
I am writing in Bed before getting up. Bona is playing me, trying to take the Paper. Thousand thanks for your nice letter, I received yesterday. Answer: I could not think at first what wooden box you ment, and wh. Victoria, till through Orchie I found out, you ment the one from the Exhibition. She gave one to me & you gave one last year to Irène.

What fun it will be to see the dear Wales again. Naughty Charlie ran on to Darmstadt Tuesday evening (is not yet been brought back) & Bambino only came back the same evening past ten.

Irène has just woken up. They (i.e. P., V. & I.) are going to Frankfurt this morning, to look at pictures, have their luncheon at the Zoologische Garten. As I stay at home, I shall most likely invite Marie Westerweller. She & her mother returned the other day. I heard that August W. has come for his Urlaub.

Ella has sent Papa & Victoria a charming Photo, wh. Paul did of her & Serge. She is very good on it.

Yesterday morning we 4 took Baby on the Donkey. The donkey was much interested in seeing the Wölfe. The latter liked their lips & tryed to catch him.

In the afternoon I drove Baby in the Poneycarriage. At the end she wished to drive herself, so I gave her the one rain, but she pulled it so, that he nearly went into the bushes. (Irène, Papa & V. send love).

[P. S.] Wilhelmine, H. v. Westerweller & Orchie send messages. Love to Aunty & Licko.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: Zoologische Garten = zoological garden.

Urlaub = holiday (vacation).

Wölfe = wolves.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 30/August 11, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

My darling old Ernie,
My heartiest & very best thanks for your sweet note. It was very good of your writing, as I know you have never very much [time] at Osborne to yourself. What fun to be so much with the Wales. Please give them my best love.

To-day you have already been a fortnight away from here & we miss you very much. Victoria & the sweet Babe are here. The latter is grown such a love. You will be happy when you see her again. She tries to speak. If you hold her hand or her sash, she walks quite nicely. She teases the poor little kitten rather. The little dogs are such fun. They run so fast, bight your dress & trigh to run up your legs. I am glad that the crayon (I cannot spell the other word) is so useful.

Now I must close. I am, Darling Ernie, Ever yr own loving Alix.

P. S. Excuse smudged note.

Messages to Herr Muther & Herr von Schwarzkoppen.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 28/August 9, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
I am going to write you a short note, as I have got a few moments to myself. Miss Jackson wrote to me the other day, & made some rimes on you, I was to send them. In my next letter I shall, as I have not got them here. Victoria & Baby are coming to-morrow, to stay, as Louis leaves suddenly to-day, for business at London. We hope to have Christa soon. Yesterday we went to Heidelberg. It was quite lovely. Irène can write the details. Wilhelmine sends much love. — Irène and Victoria saw Mops at Heidelberg. I did not.

You must not mind such a short note, — but I have scarcely any time.

Please remember me to the both Gentlemen.

Ever yr loving Alix.

P. S. Many kisses. I shall write very soon again. Orchie sends love. —

Please give the note to Maud.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 21/August 2, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on July 21/August 2, 1886. As she had to stop for a drawing lesson, she continued the letter the next day.

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
I am going to send this letter by Herr Muther, who comes Tuesday afternoon. I am sure you must be amusing yourself very much — how I wish we were all to-gether there. Have you already seen Uncle Beartie?

Rain.

Is dear Grandmama looking well? I am sure she must have been delighted to see you again. What fun we had last year, at this time! I heard that Uncle Arthur & A. Louischen are at Kent House. How is she, & the Baby, as well as Daisy & Arthur? Now I must stop as the Drawing Master is there.

August 3rd
Lovely sunshine. Papa is gone to Viernheim. Expect Tuts & Herr Muther this afternoon. I am afraid your Range is dead — when Herr Muther comes, we shall show it to him. The other day Papa drove me in V's teacart & Irène followed in ours. It was great fun. Hearty thanks for your sweet letter I received this morning.

Herr Muther has arrived, in very good spirits, glad to see you again, & very sun burnt. — I enclose some funny drawings for you, I did. They are not lovely. Tell Maud that I am going to write to her soon. I am glad that Don likes England. Please give him many messages from me, & thank him for his, I received through Wernher. —

Now I must close. Your ever loving Alix.

[P. S.] What a pity that you are not here not here for Heidelberg. —

Love to Aunty and Licko & Cousins.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Note: Range = sow pig (?)

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 18/30, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

My darling old Ernie,
I was delighted to hear that you had a good passage, and I hope you both were not ill. How is dear Aunt Louise? How nice for you to be with her. I am sure you have amused yourself very much in London. How does Herr von Schwarzkoppen like it? Does he get on well?

Irène got such nice Photos of Ella & Serge, as a Birthday present from Serge. I enclose an Enzian I picked yesterday afternoon, on the little meddow, between here & the Mönchbruch. — It is quite blue, the one part. —

Irène has already twice driven Wilhelmine & myself in the yellow carriage. (Spaß-Schatz) Herr von Westerweller is coming now for two weeks instead of O. L. Wernher. It will not be so amusing. It is dull without you. The cat & dogs are all well.

You must not mind such a stupid letter but it is better than nothing, I think. — If you see U. B. and A. Alix & the Cousins, please give them my best love. Now I must close this scrawl. I am Ever your loving & devoted little Alix.

P. S. Many messages to Don. — Nothing has happened to the Rangen.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: Enzian = gentian flower

Range = sow (pig) (?)

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated June 28/July 10, 1886

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

Darling Ernie,
If you have time, I would be delighted if you could get something pretty for putting on a table, for me to give to Irène. I give her a Tauchnitz Book, a small drawing-book, a bit of gummi & a pencil, a rather pretty one. Also a small Moraständer, & one I am having made. So I thought, as my things look so little, you might perhaps get me some pretty thing for her table. A small vase, something that is pretty, but not too expensive. I leave you the choice as I think you know what will be nice. If you have no time, it cannot be helped.
Ever your own Alix.

[P. S.] We do not come in-to town. —

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Note: Moraständer = a type of picture frame.

Alix's letter to Ernie, dated December 13, 1886

Fourteen year old Alix wrote the following letter to her brother Ernst ("Ernie") on December 13, 1886, the eve of the eighth anniversary of their mother's death.

Transcript:

Neues Palais
DARMSTADT
Dec. 13th /86
Darling Ernie,
A little line for you, dear old boy. — What a sad day to-morrow will be for dear Papa & us, & dear Grandmama. I wish you were with us in the morning, for driving to the Rosenhöhe, I shall think of you, dear Ella & Irène.

I hope I shall see you to-morrow, at some time.

To-day I did not see you any where. —

You will be astonished to get the letter, I am sure, but as I do not see you much, I want you at least to hear from me.

God bless and protect you, my old darling, & let us all try to be what dear Mama wanted us. 8 years it will be tomorrow. —

Now goodnight deary, sleep well, & think of your loving & true little
Sunny

Many kisses for you. —

Good night!

Good morning!

—

Above: Alix and Ernst, year 1885.

Note, 1-29-24: This letter has been published in Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, by George Hawkins, 2023.