The San Fransisco Call on Alexandra's latest illness, dated November 28, 1903

Source:

Published in The San Fransisco Call on November 28, 1903

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1903-11-28/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1894&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=CZARINA+Czarina&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=8&state=&date2=1918&proxtext=Czarina&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=6

The article:

ALL RUSSIA WORRIED ABOUT THE CZARINA

Empress Is Still Suffering From Inflammation of the Ear and an Operation May Have to Be Performed at a Very Early Day

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 27. — The Czarina's condition causes alarm here, as the inflammation of her ear does not yield to treatment and it is feared that an operation may be necessary. The Czar has decided not to bring her to St. Petersburg, fearing she may take cold on the journey, and she will remain at Skierniewcz until all danger is passed.

The papers here given no details of the Czarina's illnes [sic] beyond the official bulletin.

The following bulletin concerning the condition of the Czarina was issued to-day:

Her Majesty's temperature last evening was 99.14, pulse 68. The temperature this morning was 98.6, pulse 64. Her Majesty slept well during the night and was free from pain. The discharge from the ear continues in a normal way and the general condition remains good.

BERLIN, Nov. 27. — The statement published by a news agency in the United States to-day to the effect that Die Morgen Post had confirmed reports that the Czarina is not suffering from inflammation of the ear, but from the effects of strychnine placed in the food in the royal palace by nihilists, who thus attempted to kill the Czar, is absolutely denied and is considered preposterous.

Die Morgen Post merely noted the rumors published in the Polish press that the death of the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse, was caused by the eating of diseased oysters. Die Morgen Post, in referring to the rumor, made no mention whatever of the Czar or the Czarina.

Alexandra's letter to Ernst, dated November 4/16, 1896

Alexandra wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on November 4/16, 1896.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/189101218400/alexandra-feodorovna-1896-my-darling-ernie-as

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
As I have just a little free time before we go off to the Christening of Militza's little Boy, I hasten to write to you. — We shall be on the run this week to Petersburg, as there are several regimental feasts we must go to — a bore I must confess, as one would prefer remaining quiet a little. — Nicky has much to do, but still he managed to go out shooting twice last week, & he looked & felt much the better for it. — We walk twice daily to-gether. as the snow is not thick. At Gatchina they are able to sledge since 8 days, — wh. Misha enjoys greatly. We have been there several times, but yesterday, it being sweet Baby's first Birthday, we remained quietly here. — Paul's children come & play with her sometimes, wh. she enjoys very much. I slid down the hill with her the other day even. She goes out as long as it is not too cold & has splendid red red cheeks. —

Mossy with her four sons in three years, is charming? Mavra was expecting again, but it has gone wrong & is all over this time. — I am with anxiety awaiting the news from Irene; God grant all may go well. — The little red flanell jackets & frocks are getting on for the Alice Hosp: as my annual Xmas gift, & I love making them. Those happy weeks at Darmstadt with you darlings, seem like a dream to me; so long ago it all seems. What a joy it was being again in my old home after two long, long years, wh. I had left so suddenly & with such sad & unsure feelings. It touched me deeper than I can say that the people had not forgotten their old Ahhlise!

I wonder if you will go to the Mausoleum to-day — sweet little May's death day; already 18 years ago since she was taken from us. Have you still got her cap under your cushion in bed? — How nice for dear Ducky that Sandra is with you. Please kiss both & sweet Baby Ella. — By the by is anything being done about the house in Venice? Has Zwilling gone there to see about it? Do let us know.

But I must dress now. Goodbye & God bless you, my own old Ernie dear. Ever yr deeply loving & devoted old Sunny.

[P. S.] Many kisses from us both.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Olga.

Above: Alexandra's and Ernst's younger sister Princess Marie (May), who died from diphtheria at the age of four on November 16, 1878.

Above: Ernst's daughter and Alexandra's niece, Princess Elisabeth (Ella).

Above: Ernst.

Alexandra's letter to Ernst, dated September 2/14, 1895

Alexandra wrote this letter to her brother Ernest on September 2 (O.S.; New Style date 14), 1895.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr.

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/187707123870/alexandra-sunny-feodorovna-1895-my-darling

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
I must send you again a few lines to-day, to tell you how much my thoughts are with you, now that all the Sisters are at Wolfsgarten. It must be a great joy for you having them all to-gether — for Ducky it must seem most strange. — Yesterday we had a beautiful day, but to-day it is rainy, tho' warm. The roads are so wet, that Nicky won't let me walk this morning, so I am going to drive to the Baby & he will meet me there. — I wonder how you have put up all the guests? Now Ross' house is most useful, I should think! — You might get Ella to finish painting the doors in the back sitting room of my house. — Mossy sent me the photos of her Children, alas, the eldest must be a little monster, but my Godchild, Max, looks nice & plump. —

Yesterday N. shot again two ducks; & I lay reading on the balconey & listening to the gentle ripple of the waves. — This afternoon we went in the electric launch as the weather had quite cleared up. It was most enjoyable. — I sent little Irina out for her first drive. — I am glad you got all my letters & our beasts — I hope Paul would have telegraphed on his arrival! — I also just got a telegram of thanks from Ella, wh. pleased me much — every bit of news from home is happiness, & I eagerly tare open the telegrams when I see Wolfsgarten written on them. —

Do make Germann photograph you all on the stairs at W. — At last Georgie, Xenia & Sandro have left for Liebau — they had to put off their journey first on account of Georgie & then on account of a storm. — I am very industrious, trying to arrange a sort of Ladies' working guild, what I had also wanted to do at home. Cocky sent me all the papers of Auntie's guild in the I. of Wight. Of course many things must be changed for here, but I am most anxious to begin it. — Most odd, but scarcely any ladies work here — simple stiching I mean. —

Then I have done another thing, have founded a society of wh. I am at the head for helping & augmenting workhouses for the poor. It is so necessary here, & I think the people will interest themselves in it. I must now choose the vice-president & members, wh. will not be easy. I dread the idea of having to be present at some of the sittings; I shall die of shyness. I should much less dread seeing each member alone. They sent me the statutes, arranged by a small society I had picked out, & I with Schneiderlein's aid translated them for myself into German, so as to be able to properly to understand them & then to agree with them. —

This minute Irène's dear letter has been brought me — please thank & kiss her from me. I am so glad to hear how they have all been put up. How amusing Joccs should have taken Ella for me — does he remember my name still? Fancy Baby having already 3 teeth, she is in a hurry! How proud you both must be of her. — Please thank Wilhelmino also for her letter. — It is so strange to hear of all of you being to-gether, & that only I should be so far away — but all my hopes are for this time next year, if you will have us. —

But I must stop now. Kissing you all tenderly, I remain, yr very loving old Sunny.

P. S. How is it Serge has gone to Venice? — Please give many messages to all the Gefolge, German & Russian. —

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Above: Ernest.

Above: Elisabeth, Ernest's daughter and Alexandra's niece.

Alexandra's letter to Ernst, dated July 12/24 1896

Alexandra wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on July 24 (Old Style date July 12), 1896.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/186513498540/heavily-edited-photo-of-nicholas-nicky-ii

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
It is sad never hearing from each other after one has been to-gether again for a time, so I will write to you now. — How delightful that stay at Illinskoe was, what quiet & calm — we have not had such a peaceful time since our marriage, I think, except last autumn. No sooner back than worries & troubles begin again, no wonder that Nicky gets paler, ceaseless cares weary one out. Would people only kindly leave him in peace & let him decide & think for himself, all would be well, but no, nag, nag on it goes all day long about something or another, all falls on him.

Life never is easy but indeed in such a position as his less than ever. When we can at last get to my dear, beloved old home he can rest for awhile again & gather strength for the winter. — It seems so strange scarcely ever seeing a face known so well at Illinskoe! — Sunday & Monday we shall be at Krasnoe & then for six days off to Nizni Novgorod — the heat I fear will be intense & we shall be all day on our legs — I don't at all like leaving sweet Baby behind — but you had to do it to, it is true — never the less I do not care for the idea. —

The dear, merry little thing is such a comfort to me, when one feels sad & depressed. How is your precious Child, does she talk more now? — Baby begins taking other food besides now 3 times a day & has a salt bath every morning according to my wish, as I want her to be as strong as possible having to carry such a plump little body. —

We often dine out here on an island, at the mill, Babigon & elsewhere, wh. makes a nice change, then drive & before going to bed N. & I play Puff. — We are out every morning at 8 or 8.30, he rides or we drive to-gether, I take him or Schneiderlein in my cart with one or 2 beasts. — The heat is very great, one feels decrepid. How delighted dear Ducky must have been to see Sandra, & is she happy & contented? Kiss Ducky from me very tenderly & tell her to try and love your old Sister a tiny bit. No more now, Goodbye & God bless you. —

Ever my Ernie dear, yr deeply loving old Sunny.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with their eldest child, Olga, year 1896. Photo courtesy of Tatiana Z on Flickr.

Above: Ernest.

Above: Princess Victoria Melita, Ernest's then-wife, year 1896. Her nickname was Ducky.