Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, dated April 11/24, 1914

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/616276316962127872/alexandra-feodorovna-april-1914-my-dear-onor-a

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law Eleonore on April 11/24, 1914.

The letter:

My dear Onor,
A thousand thanks for your dear letter. I can imagine how busy Ernie is and how interesting, though tiring it must be. It is a pity this prevented you from coming to see us, something we regret terribly. Everything reminds me of you all — each meadow of flowers recalls memories of Wilhelmino and it makes me so sad that this dear, devoted soul will never be with us again. Ernie's improvements to the grounds show up now more than in the autumn, and we are installing new Italian benches ect. in the garden. All his good advice has been taken into consideration — the irises have come up fine, and the small Japanese garden is looking so lovely — the African one, too. A pergola (like Minny's) with columns (less attractive) from Orianda is to go up in the meadow by the sea where Livadia borders on to Orianda.

We have started to make necklaces again, the only thing missing are busy little helping hands, so now Sablin and I have to make [t]he 'Schwänzchen' for them. — Nicky is raising his eyebrows as he did at the dinner party in Berlin and is thinking of you. We are taking tea inside, as it is still a little cool at 5 o'clock. — I am feeling much better and so is Alexei. The roses haven't started blooming yet, unlike the lilac, wisteria and chestnut trees — all the trees are turning green — it is so lovely — only you are missing. —

We have no definite plans for the autumn yet, are thinking of going to Spala so as to not be so far away again. If we only knew how the weather would be. Alexei needs sunshine and a dry climate — Spala has sandy soil like our pine forests at home — but two years ago and last autumn it rained a lot there. — Before that we will have 'crowned guests' as well as Victoria and manoeuvres and the skerries briefly — it is difficult to fit everything in to one short summer. — It is Saturday, the others are having dinner downstairs, and I must go up to Baby right away and say prayers with him. — I have been very busy with building projects — several sanatoriums are currently being built — and then we want to start on my rehabilitation centre — I hope the bazaar will bring in a lot of money.

Tatiana Konstantinovna gave birth to a baby daughter on Easter Sunday and the baptism will take place at Kichkine on Tuesday where she spent the autumn and winter with her Uncle Dimitri. When you were here the house was still being built — it is towards Harax. Soon Georgy, Minny, the children and little Marie will be coming. The 'Blacks' have already arrived. Kostia and Mavra are living in an uncomfortable house rented from Minny. —

But now I must end. I kiss you 4 tenderly. God bless you. Your devoted sister Alix.

[P. S.] We have dispatched 90 Cypress trees - I hope they will thrive on the Rosenhöhe. — Toni Ehrhardt sends me news regularly — it is really horrible what the poor child has to go through and I sympathise with the poor parents. —

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Eleonore.

Above: Ernst.

Above: Nicholas. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Tatiana Konstantinovna.

Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, year 1911

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/190289807425/alexandra-feodorovna-1911-my-dear-onor-please

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law Eleonore on January 3/16, 1911.

The letter:

My dear Onor,
Please forgive me for not writing to you for so long. A thousand thanks for your latest letter and the thoughtful presents; I can find use for all of them and will put up the little photo on the Standart. — Anastasia had chickenpox but has completely recovered now. Practically all of them have been coughing and sneezing. Alexei is in bed with a fever, cough and stomach upset — this is what influenza is like this year. Tatiana is in bed, too. — Marie is managing to keep going, albeit coughing and sneezing. Olga is the only one who is able to go for a walk with Schneiderlein.

Sophie Ivanovna has been in Moscow for 11 days now taking her Christmas holidays; — lessons start again on Thursday. — Miechen’s bazaar brought in a 100,00 R., more than ever before, even though there was one back in the spring. My tables brought in 3000 and 5000 — many beautiful old sacks did not sell, whereas my 50 embroideries and painted items (I think 30 pieces) were sold immediately. —

Nicky has been to the theatre with his mother several times. On the 1st there was a large sortie at the Winter Palace, the first since the war, 7 years — likewise on the 6th. I went sledging three times. It still tires me very much and the rough surfaces make my heart and back ache. I have not been out of doors for several days now as I have been suffering from bad headaches (anaemia, kidney trouble and embroidering and painting too much whilst lying down). — I do not seem able to regain my strength and the pain in my heart and left arm up to my neck is often quite strong.

Sister Olga has gone off to the country for 3 days, Minny and children have left for Athens. Aunt Marie has arrived and will take tea with us today. — How is Emmy Ehrhardt? — So it turned out to be quite a serious operation after all. — Your ball was lovely, plenty of dancing. Here, they talk of nothing but the skating rink. — How are your siblings?

I have to end now. Kiss Ernie and the children. God bless you, I embrace you tenderly, dear Onor. Your devoted sister Alix.

[P. S.] I often think back to our meals together. — Nothing will ever really come between us.

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Eleonore.

Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, dated December 27, 1913/January 9, 1914

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/190163677200/alexandra-feodorovna-with-her-daughters-and

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law Eleonore on December 27, 1913/January 9, 1914.

The letter:

Dear Onor,
My tenderest thanks for your dear letter and the many beautiful Christmas presents you sent us. — I can just imagine how the children must have been beaming with joy around the Christmas tree, as they are still of an age to be enchanted by the lights. — Our most precious gift has been to see Alexei up and walking. Thank God one hardly notices he walks with a limp, he is very cheerful and has grown a lot. He also was at the Soldiers' Tree twice and was able to help out; and he enjoyed being able to stomp around in the snow. Marie has grown a lot, too, and she will soon be taller than Olga. —

Today there was a Christmas party at my nursery school and they distributed presents — tomorrow we will have the officers' tree. — In the Crimea I sent them to four hospitals, usually for lung patients, and they showed real interest, talking to everybody. — You asked who succeeded poor Dedioulin. — Nicky has just appointed General Voeikov. He was Commander of the Hussars here, was in the Chevalier Guards for many years, is a son-in-law of Frederiksz. — I think Nicky made a good choice, as he knows him very well.

Tatiana Konstantinovna wrote that they had breakfast on her balcony in the Crimea at Christmas — but here we have thick snow and 18° of frost. How are poor Thea and your other siblings? Give them my best wishes, won't you? The illness of little Emmy Ehrhardt is too sad — there's no hope any more — I am so very sorry for her parents. — Sister-in-law Olga visits us often and is like a sister to our children, and they are very attached to her. — Today Kostia came for breakfast, Miechen and Kiryll for tea and Dmitri for dinner. — Does Marietta meet your satisfaction, is she pleasant to have around the house? I only really knew her as a child as I have been away from home for 19 years now.

The rose picture you sent me as a present is just perfect and I only wish my children could have had tuition like the Coburg cousins. — What can I tell you? Sonia is cheerful as always, off to town to see the Youssoupovs all the time, and is happy in her new, large rooms. Alexei and Mr Gilliard are now living in her old ones. Count Benkendorf spent the whole of the autumn abroad because of his wife, and now she appears to be gradually losing her sight — the result of kidney disease like Kostia’s mother. —

Tatiana's hair has grown nice and thick, which means she no longer has to wear a wig; all four are very busy the whole time crocheting or embroidering, for which Tatiana and Marie have a particular talent.

But now I must end as I still have a lot of writing to do. May God protect you all, my dears. With fondest love I remain your loving sister Alix.

Above: Alexandra with her daughters.

Above: Alexandra with Alexei.

Above: Eleonore.

Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, year 1912

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law Eleonore on May 19/June 1, 1912.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/185290155215/crop-of-alexandra-feodorovna-1912-my-dear-onor

The letter:

My dear Onor,
A thousand thanks for your dear letter — it was an unexpected pleasure. It is so quiet here without you, my dears, and everything reminds one of you all. You cannot imagine how positively beautiful the garden is right now. The leaves are out and a sea of roses of every shape and colour cover the walls — one simply does not want to go back inside. I went out on my own to enjoy this beautiful sight and N. and Marie joined me in the afternoon — in-between it poured with rain. The palm area, Africa, that Ernie thought up is currently being landscaped.

I have ventured in to painting roses — it is ambitious of me, I know, but I enjoy the flowers twice as much by having to observe them so intensely. The children are feeling better, their temperatures are back to normal and their throats not so sore any more. I have to say good night now as officers come to play a game of dominoes. May God protect you. I embrace you tenderly, dear Onor, and remain your devoted Alix.

[P. S.] I send Ernie, the children and Wilhelmine love and kisses. — I hope you found some nice kustarni items in Kiev.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Eleonore.

Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, dated September 1/14, 1905

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law Eleonore on September 1/14, 1905.

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, via mashkaromanova on Tumblr.

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/187707121635/alexandra-feodorovna-1905-darling-onor-my

The letter:

Darling Onor,

Mein Mann und ich senden Dir unsere herzinnigsten Glück- & Segenswünsche zu Deinem lieben Geburtstage. Möge das neue Jahr in welches Du hineintrittst nur Tage reinsten Sonnenscheines Dir bescheren. Viel, gar viel habe ich Deiner in diesen letzten Wochen gedacht, hat Dein armes Herz doch eine gar bittere Entteuschung erlitten. Aber der liebe Gott ist barmherzig & wird unsere Gebete erhören & Dich noch reichlich segnen. — Mögest Du Dich nur baldigst völlig erholen. — Du musst gar einsam ohne den lieben Ernie sein, aber nun kommt er wohl bald zurück. —

Hätten wir doch nur zu euch hinfliegen können. Aber Nicky hat zu viel zu thun — wir müssen still zu Hause sitzen; er arbeitet wie ein N****.

Das Wetter ist herrlich, aber die Blätter werden schon sehr gelb und fallen ab. — Unseren Kleinen geht es gottlob recht gut & sie wachsen geschwinde. —

Ich kann nicht länger schreiben, da ich Empfang habe — jeden Tag haben wir Menschen zu sehen, so dass man wenig freie Zeit hat. — Wir hoffen Du wirst unsere kleine Gabe freundlich annehmen — eine Fortsetzung zum Aquamarinschmuck. — Ich und die Meinen küssen Dich herzliebst; Dir Alles Gute wünschend. Deine treue Alix.

English translation (by Kleinpenning):

Darling Onor,
My husband and I send you our warmest congratulations and greetings on your birthday. May the year ahead bring you days of nothing but sunshine. I have thought about you often, oh so often in the past few weeks, your poor heart has suffered such bitter disappointment. But the dear Lord is compassionate and will hear our prayers and bless you yet. — I hope you recover very soon. —

You must be really lonely without dear Ernie, but he will be back soon. — If only we could be with you. But Nicky has too much to do — we have to content ourselves with staying at home; he works like a Trojan. The weather is lovely, but the leaves are already turning quite yellow and starting to fall. — Our little ones are doing really well, thank God, and are growing fast. —

I cannot write any more as I have a reception to attend — we see people every day, which does not leave us much time to ourselves. — We hope you'll accept our little gift — a further addition to your collection of aquamarine jewellery. — My beloved ones send their love and kisses and wish you all the best. Your devoted Alix.

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Above: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexei.

Above: Eleonore.

Alexandra's letter to Eleonore, dated August 13/26, 1911

Alexandra wrote this letter to her sister-in-law and her brother Ernest's second wife, Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich (1871-1937), nicknamed Onor, on August 13/26, 1911.

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, via mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/187280956635/alexandra-feodorovna-with-her-daughters-nikolai

The letter:

Meine liebe Onor,

Tausend innigen Dank für Deinen lieben, langen Brief, den ich mich riesig freute zu empfangen. Und die Bilder machten mir viel Freude, geben sie sich eine gute Idee von eurer reizenden kleinen Kapelle. Wie schön muss der Gottesdienst so mitten im Walde sein, und ich finde es so gescheit, dass ihr nebenbei auf dieser Weise Gelegenheit findet die verschiedenen Geistlichen Hessens kennen zu lernen — Wie gewinnt doch der geliebte Wolfsgarten mit jedem Jahre — aber leid thut es mir dass die Blumen & Blätter so früh verdorren.

Die Hitze ist auch grenzenlos gewesen. Sandro kehrte eben aus Paris zurück und erzählte uns, dass Abends um 10 Uhr der Thermometer 30 Grad zeichnete. — Wir haben es jetzt viel frischer wieder. — Nicky ist fast täglich im Lager, kehrt 1 Uhr Nachts heim & fährt um 8 Uhr morgens fort — es ist auf diese Art sehr ermüdend, aber er will mich nicht so lange allein lassen. Meinen Jungen habe ich auch ohne mich hinlassen müssen. — Du kannst Dir denken wie schwer es mir wurde ihn nicht selbst hinnehmen zu können. Ich übergab ihn unserer grossen Olga dreimal, 2x ging auch Tatiana mit. Mit 7 Jahren tragen die Jungen der Familie schon Offiziersuniform mit Stern & Band — es war das Jubiläum seines Regimentes — & dann andere Besichtigung (aber dazu als Matrose). —

Arthur ist zu den Manövern gekommen, & freut es mich den lieben Jungen hier zu sehen; — er dinierte mit mir & den Mädchen gestern, (N. war in Krasnoe) es wurde mir recht schwer, da mein Herz wieder vergrössert ist — hatte mich übermüdet, Damenempfang. —

Seit unserer Rückkehr bin ich einmal eine halbe Stunde gefahren & ½ Stunde im Rollstuhl. — Ich arbeite sehr viel für unseren Bazar (alles liegend) — habe schon 80 Gegenstände gemalt — auf einmal gelingt es mir Blumen zu malen, was mich sehr erstaunt; beende meine vierte Weste. Bestelle & erdenke alles mögliche. — Hättest Du mir vielleicht Wiebelchen & keine gesalzene Bretzel zum verkaufen schicken können — Sei so freundlich und bitte Georgina mir 10 Kissen zu lassen (aus Chintz, zum öffnen losknöpfen) — Römheld kann die Rechnung bezahlen. —

In einem fort sind Menschen zu sehen und Hochzeitsfragen zu bestimmen & über Kief zu sprechen. Dies sind ja zwei "neue Art Heirathen" in der Familie & da giebt es viel zu denken. Ich kann dem Hochzeiten leider nicht beiwohnen, die Kinder gehen aber hin, & Anastasia für Ioanchicks Hochzeit zum erstenmal im russischen Kleide. Sie sind alle sehr gewachsen, Tatiana schon größer wie Olga, deren Kleider schon fast bis zur Erde reichen — zum 16ten Geburtstag geht der Rock hinunter und das Haar hinauf, — so fliegt die Zeit. Tatiana K's Hochzeit ist ganz ruhig & einfach in Pavlofsk. — Die Serbische Braut muss ich von der Bahn holen — hoffe auch am Hochzeits-Vorabend zum Familiendiner zu erscheinen. Sie wird keinen Kronschmuck & Mantel tragen — ich werde mit dem Anziehen helfen & zum Gratulieren da sein. —

Am 28ten geht's nach Kief auf eine Woche — Denkmalsenthüllung, 2 Paraden u. s. w. — ich werde kaum irgendwo erscheinen — werde sehen was die Kräfte erlauben, & die sind gar wenig famos. — Dann geht's auf den Standart in Sevastopol am 7ten Sept. A. St., und am 20ten können wir erst ins Haus, es ist noch nicht alles trocken & fertig. Die Bilder die wir monatlich erhalten geben uns eine schöne Idee vom Hause, & ich gedenke dankbar an Ernie der mir so viel gute Rathschläge gab.

Es wird viel zu thun geben bis wir alles einrichten. — Verzeihe dass ich mit Blei schreibe, aber ich liege noch zu Bett — muss aber jetzt aufstehen. Sei mit darling Ernie herzinnigst von mir geküsst — God bless you, Onor Lieb, deine treue Alix.

[P. S.] Ich hoffe es geht allen Geschwistern recht gut. Nun habt ihr das Haus wieder ganz voll, & wird es gemüthlich werden — ich umarme alle Gross & Klein. Grüsse die Damen und Riedesel. —

War es schön in Bayreuth? —

Wir gedenken eurer so viel — jetzt ist es bald ein Jahr dass wir in Friedberg ankamen.

English translation (by Kleinpenning):

My dear Onor,
A thousand thanks for your sweet long letter, which really cheered me. The photos, too, gave me such joy as they give me a good idea of your charming little chapel. How delightful it must be to attend Mass in the middle of the wood. Besides, I think it is a clever way to meet various members of the clergy from Hesse. — Wolfsgarten gets lovelier by the year. It is a pity, though, that the temperature there was still 30 degrees at 10 o'clock in the evening. It has turned much cooler again here — Nicky is at the army camp almost every day, comes home at 1 o'clock at night and leaves again at 8 o'clock in the morning.

It is very tiring for him but he does not want to leave me on my own for too long. I also had to send off my boy without me. — You can imagine how hard it was for me not to be able to take him there myself. I placed him in the care of big Olga three times and Tatiana twice. The boys in the family start wearing officer's uniforms with star and ribbon at the tender age of 7 — it was his regiment's anniversary — and then another inspection (in this case, though, as a sailor). —

Arthur has come to the manoeuvres, and it is such a joy to see the dear boy here; — he dined with me and the girls yesterday (N. was at Krasnoe). It was really quite a strain as my heart is enlarged again — got overtired, ladies reception. — Since our return I have been out once for a drive for half an hour plus ½ an hour in my wheelchair. — I am doing a lot of work for our bazaar (all of it lying down) — and I have already painted 80 items — suddenly I find myself able to paint flowers. This surprises me very much. I am also finishing my fourth cardigan. Am ordering and thinking up all sorts of things. — Would you be able to send me Wiebelchen and small salted pretzels to sell? — Could you be so kind as to ask Georgina to send 10 pillow cases (chintz ones, with buttons). Römheld can pay the bill. —

I have been seeing people and answering queries regarding the weddings and discussing Kiev for days on end. These are actually two 'new style weddings' in the family, so there is a lot to think about. Unfortunately I shall not be able to attend these weddings but the children are going and Anastasia will wear a Russian dress for the first time at Ioanchick's wedding.

They all have grown a lot. Tatiana is already taller than Olga, whose dresses almost reach the floor now. — Skirt hemlines drop and hair goes up when they reach the age of 16 — how time flies. Tatiana K.'s wedding will be a very quiet and simple affair at Pavlovsk. — I will have to collect the Serbian bride from the railway station — and hope to be able to turn up for the family dinner on the eve of the wedding. She will not be wearing a crown or cloak; I will help her dress and be there to congratulate them. —

On the 28th we will leave for Kiev for a week — for the unveiling of a statue, 2 parades ect. — I will barely put in an appearance; will have to see how strong I am, and that won't be much. — We will then board the Standart at Sevastopol on 7th September, Old Style. We cannot stay at the house till the 20th as not everything is dry and ready yet. The photos we receive every month give us a good impression of the house, and I am grateful to Ernie for giving me so much good advice. There is still much to be done before we can settle in. —

Forgive me for writing in pencil but I am still in bed — but should get up now. Tenderest kisses to you and darling Ernie. — God bless you, Onor dear. Your devoted Alix.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Eleonore.

Above: Olga and Tatiana.

Above: Alexei.