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Monday, June 28, 2021
Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated April 8, 1915, and Nicholas's telegrams, dated April 9, 1915
Sources:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=119
https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/april15.html
The letter:
No. 60
Tsarskoe Selo, April 8-th 1915
My very own beloved Husband,
Tenderly do my prayers & grateful thoughts full of very deepest love linger around you this dear anniversary! How the years go by! 21 years already! You know I have kept the grey princesse dress I wore that morning? And shall wear yr. dear brooch. Dear me, how much we have lived through together in these years — heavy trials everywhere, but at home in our nest, bright sunshine!
I send you in remembrance an Image of St. Simeon — leave it for always as a guardian angel in your compartment — you will like the smell of the wood. —
Such a sunny day! — Poor Mme Viltchkovsky is going to have her apendicitis cut out — she lies in our little room, where Ania was the first night. They say she looks so clean & apetising in white & lace with pretty ribbons in jacket & hair — Navruzov who is there again — comes & looks after her, writes down her temp. & is most touching with her — am in despair not to be with her. — Lovy mine, how can I thank you enough for that ideally lovely cross? You do spoil me, I never for a second imagined you would think of giving me anything. How lovely it is! Shall wear it to-day — just what I like, & this one we had not seen. And yr. note & the dear letter — all came together after the Dr. He lets me go on the balkony, so I shall get Ania to come out there. — I see now why you take N. with you, thanks for explaining deary.
The sweet flower has gone into my gospel — we used to pick those flowers in spring on the meadow at Wolfsgarten, before the big house always. — Am sure you will all return nicely bronzed. — My throat is almost in order, heart still not yet quite normal, tho' I take my drops & keep so quiet.
I hear the Churchbells ring, & long to go to Znamenia & pray there for you — well my candle burns here too for you, my very own treasure.
I am finishing my letter to you on the sopha. The big girls are in town, the little ones walked, then went to their hospital & now have lessons, Baby is in the garden. I lay for ¾ of an hour on the balkony — quite strange to be out, as it happens so rarely I get into the fresh air. The little birdies were singing away — all nature awakening & praising the Lord! Doubly it makes one feel the misery of war & bloodshed — but as after winter cometh summer, so after suffering & strife, may peace & consolation find their place in this world & all hatred cease & our beloved country develop into beauty in every sense of the word.
It is a new birth — a new beginning, a "Läuterung" & cleansing of minds and souls only to lead them aright and guide them straight. So much to do, may all work bravely hand in hand, helping instead of hindering work for one great cause & not for personal success & fame. — Just got your dear telegram, for wh. a tender kiss. — Mme Viltchkovsky's operation went off alright.
My stupid temp. is now already 37.1, but I think that does not matter. — I wear your cross on my grey teagown & it looks too lovely — yr. dear brooch of 21 years ago I have also got on. — Sweet treasure I must end now.
God bless & guard you on yr. journey. You will no doubt receive this letter in Lvov. Give my love to Xenia, Olga & Sandro. I send you a wee photo I took of agooweeone on board last year. A fond blessing & thousands of very tenderest kisses, ever, Nicky sweet,
yr. own old
Wify.
Nicholas's telegrams:
Telegram. Brody. 9 April, 1915.
Have arrived at 10 o'clock; the weather is lovely. Am leaving for Lvov at 1 o'clock. I have sent a letter from here. Embrace you closely.
Nicky.
--
Telegram. Lvov. 9 April, 1915.
Thanks for news. Am deeply impressed; an interesting route; a great number of soldier's' graves. I had a touching reception here. Saw Ksenia and Olga in her hospital. Summer-like weather. Tender kisses.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of tashusik2 on Flickr.
Note: Läuterung = catharsis, purification.
Pierre Gilliard's letter to Alexandra, dated October 31, 1915
Sources:
George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Madame,
La journée d'hier s'est bien passée. Pendant la revue dont j'ai parlé à Votre Majesté, la pluie n'a pas cessé, les soldats enfonçaient dans la boue jusqu'aux chevilles et Alexis Nicolaévitch était naturellement ravi de voir tout le monde patauger comme des canards. Après la parade il a accompagné Sa Majesté à la Cathédrale pour assister à un Te Deum. La foule était si considérable que tout le monde a été bousculé à la sortie; le comte Frédériks a eu le tendon du pied gauche froissé.
Alexis Nicolaévitch est rentré trempé par la pluie, mais seulement à la surface: le reste était parfaitement sec. Au retour Il a pris le thé avec tout le monde puis nous avons joué comme la veille au «Nain jaune» avec Sa Majesté qui a bien voulu Se joindre à nous et le capitaine Sabline.
Nous sommes arrivés à 9 h. du soir à Moghilev, Alexis Nicolaévitch s'est promené un quart d'heure, puis s'est couché.
Il s'est réveillé dispos ce matin vers 8 heures et demie et a pris le thé à table commune. Nous avons quitté le train à 10 heures. A peine arrivé, après une visite rapide de toutes les chambres et un coup d'œil amical au billard, Alexis Nicolaévitch s'est mis à écrire à Votre Majesté.
En ce moment Il s'habille pour descendre au jardin et me dit qu'il a oublié de remercier la Grande Duchesse Tatiana Nicolaévna pour Sa lettre. Il prie Votre Majesté de bien vouloir réparer Son oubli.
Je suis avec profond respect, Madame, de Votre Majesté le très humble et très obéissant serviteur
Pierre Gilliard
Grand Quartier général
Ce Samedi 31 octobre 1915
English translation (by Hawkins):
Your Majesty,
Yesterday went very well. At the time of the parade, about which I told Your Majesty, the rain did not cease. The soldiers were ankle-deep in mud and Alexei Nikolaevich was delighted to see everyone splashing about like ducks in the mud. After the parade, He accompanied His Majesty to the cathedral in order to attend the prayer service. Alexei Nikolaevich returned wet from the rain, but it was only a little bit on the top — the rest of his clothes were dry. After getting back, He had tea with everyone and then we, like previously, played "Nain Jaune" with His Majesty, who also wished to join us, and Captain Sablin. We arrived at Mogilev at 7 in the evening. Alexei Nikolaevich went for a walk for a quarter of an hour and then went to bed. He woke up today around half past eight and had tea at the common table. We left the train at 10 o'clock. Having only just arrived and quickly looking around the rooms, casting a friendly glance at the billiards, Alexei Nikolaevich set to write to Your Majesty. Right now he is getting changed in order to go down to the garden and tells me he forgot to thank Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna for her letter, and asks Your Majesty to deign to amend his forgetfulness.
With deep respect, Your Majesty, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant,
Pierre Gilliard.
Stavka, Saturday October 31 1915
English translation (my own):
Madame,
Yesterday went well. During the review of which I spoke to Your Majesty, the rain did not stop, the soldiers sank in the mud up to their ankles and Alexei Nikolaevich was naturally delighted to see everyone wading like ducks. After the parade he accompanied His Majesty to the Cathedral to attend a Te Deum. The crowd was so large that everyone was jostled out; Count Fredericks suffered a bruised tendon in his left foot.
Alexei Nikolaevich came in soaked by the rain, but only on the surface: the rest was perfectly dry. On the way back He had tea with everyone then we played like the day before at "Nain Jaune" with His Majesty who was kind enough to join us and Captain Sablin.
We arrived at Mogilev at 9 in the evening, Alexei Nikolaevich walked for a quarter of an hour, then went to bed.
He woke up this morning around half past eight and had tea at the common table. We left the train at 10 o'clock. Hardly had He arrived, after a quick tour of all the rooms and a friendly glance at the billiard table, that Alexei Nikolaevich began to write to Your Majesty.
At this moment He is getting dressed to go down to the garden and tells me that he forgot to thank the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna for Her letter. He begs Your Majesty to kindly forgive His oversight.
I am with deep respect, Madame, Your Majesty's very humble and very obedient servant
Pierre Gilliard
Grand General Headquarters
This Saturday, October 31, 1915
Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Alexei with Pierre Gilliard. Photo courtesy of tashusik2 on Flickr.
Alexandra's letter to Alexei on his name day, dated October 5, 1915
Source:
George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
My dear Alexei,
I thank you with all my heart for your sweet letter. I am very happy that you write to me every day and that "Zhilik" does too. Now I know all that you do. Did you have a good time today? Did the holiday go well? You slept with a big knife — that's the kind of boy you are! I am so glad that you and Papa pray — cosily together — and I pray for you in my room after 9, you and I pray at the same time and it is as if I am with you. Did you already finish the interesting French book? There is a present for you here from Misha Dedulin, for which I thanked him on the telephone. Today, I gave Siniy and Petr V[asilievich] a picture of you which I took so that they won't be lonely without you — tell me, is it hard for you to read my letters, or does Papa help? I saw Vlad[imir] Nik[olaevich] at the infirmary today. Aunt Miechen had tea with us. Our little officer at the Big Palace died in the night — peacefully. The wounded congratulate you. Princess Gedroits is a bit better. We went for a drive in Pavlovsk in the afternoon and 3 ladies congratulated us — very sweet don't you think? It is so strange (and very sad) not to see you today — I am with you my dear ones constantly in my thoughts. Farewell, darling. I kiss you very, very firmly. May God protect you + Your tenderly loving old Mama +
Tsarskoe Selo 5th October 1915
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Recreated free-standing cabinet for the Pallisander Room
Source:
Tsarskoselskaya Restoration Workshop
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Letter to Alexandra from Alexei, dated June 19, 1916
Sources:
Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Ставка и Могилев, 19-го Июня 1916.
Дорогому и милому Мамахину.
Твой Леля незабывает старую Мать и чтоб обрадывать её он ей пишет письмецо. Я [...] пишу Тебе эти строчки.
Сегодня ветер и накрапывает дождик.
Были в церкви. Посылаю Ольги цветок с иконы Владимирской Божией Матери. Ворона моя давно улетела. Пора кончать. Храни вас Всех Бог! + Все очень благодарят Тебя за поклон.
Твой А. Романов
English translation (by Hawkins):
Stavka and Mogilev, 19th June 1916
To my dear and darling Mama,
Your Lyolya hasn't forgotten his old Mama, and so to make her happy, he sends her a little letter. Hiccoughing, I write you these wee lines.
It is windy today and spitting with rain.
We were at church. I am sending Olga flowers with an icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. My crow flew away long ago. It's time to finish. May God save you all + Say hello to everyone. Everyone thanks you very much and bows.
Your
A Romanov
English translation (my own):
Stavka and Mogilev, June 19, 1916.
Dear and sweet Mamakhin.
Your Lyolya never forgets his old Mother, and to please her he writes a letter to her. I am [...] writing these lines to You.
Today it's windy and raining.
We were in church. I am sending Olga a flower from the icon of the Vladimirsky Mother of God. My crow flew away a long time ago. Time to finish. God bless you All! + Everyone is very grateful to You for the regards.
Your A. Romanov
Above: Alexandra.
Above: Alexei with his spaniel Joy.
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