The Empress Alexandra Fights Back

As boudoirs were such enchanting places for ladies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century to retire to write their letters and/or other literary enterprises, I thought it might be fun to witness the contrasts and similarities between Elinor Glyn’s rose boudoir and the Empress Alexandra's mauve boudoir.  Again please forgive the less than perfect quality of the pictures.       


Elinor reclining in her rose boudoir at her Trianon.  Circa 1908


The Empress reclining in her mauve boudoir, Alexander Palace, Tsarskoe Selo.  Circa 1909.

[Nikolasha, the Government,]

Just as a quick aside, I think that my date for the Empress in her boudoir is off by a few years and that it is closer to circa 1905-1906 given her modified pompadour hair style.  I believe that by 1909-1910 the Empress had a somewhat flattened sweep of hair that extended out from a middle part into a full sweep on either side of her head.   I should probably just post pictures of what I am trying to describe.

As we all probably well realize by now, I love every aspect of the differing era's included in the Emperor's reign and I suppose, in a way, that is why I went on my little excursion with that naughty novelist, Elinor Glyn. 

It is just that Alix and Nicky were so much apart of the greater world culture of Western Europe and America and we only know Russia when it was a vague grey shadow hidden within the hands of tyrants. 

That is why I never miss an opportunity to enjoy Alix and Nicky’s impact on the international society of their day.  In wonderful article on Art Nouveau in the book, “Beauty in Exile,” the author, Alexandre Vassiliev, fashion historian and contributor to the Russian editions of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, credits Alix as playing a very significant part in establishing the neo-Russian style which drew its life from the Art Nouveau movement.  In speaking of the spread of national romanticism that characterized the closing decade of the nineteenth century in architecture, painting, applied art and fashion, Vassiliev tells us:

In Russia it led to what became known as the neo-Russian style, which adopted forms of Art Moderne.  It was this fin-de-siècle neo-Russian style that influenced European fashion. 

The neo-Russian style was elevated to semiofficial art in Russia, where the spread of Art Nouveau was undoubtedly aided by the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Tsar Nicholas II.  Née Alice, Princess of Hesse, the empress was raised in Darmstadt, Germany, latter one of the major centers of European Moderne, and famed for its artistic colony and regular art exhibits.  The empress like Jugendstil, the German variety of Moderne, and, naturally supported the development of analogous forms in Russia.  The ball at the Winter Palace in 1903, with costumes designed by the artist Sergei Solomko is one of the most vivid examples of the court’s acceptance of the neo-Russian style.   [Ref: Alexandre Vassiliev, “Beauty in Exile,” p. 9]

I was just reading a December 1894 Harper's Bazaar today and found a Mineral Water advertisement that had an engraving of the Empress Dowager and quoted her request for several cases the Mineral Water to be sent to Livadia immediately.  Clearly it was ordered in October 1894.  Then in "Personal News," in the same Harpers Bazaar, I found a delightful tribute to Queen Olga of Greece who was enchanted by her new yacht and was described as an avid sailor who must have inherited this trait from her father, the Grand Duke Constantine. 

Well after our foray into the changing moods of the first decade of the twentieth century I finally realized that I need one more theme before launching into the ever troubled sea of themes, Nikolasha, the Government, and Rasputin.  I realized that we need to get a clear sense of Alix' relations with the Romanoff family in the first half of 1915 as that will play into the theme Nikolasha. 

Again thank you for your patience as my thoughts find their way forward in this tangled world of disapprobation and censure.  You know having said that, I can’t help quoting one of the great Russian historians of our day, Peter Kurth, who unfortunately was broadsided by a fraud, and who it is hoped will fully recover his credibility.  I can not help but feel that Kurth’s greatest contribution was the depth of his understanding of the Romanov family.  I feel that what he wrote about the Romanov’s treatment of Anna Anderson could be equally applied to their collective treatment of Alexandra Feodorovna.  If I might be allowed to edit Peter Kurth’s remarks about Anna and apply them to Alexandra and her relationship with the Romanov family:

It is about [a family]…blinded by a past they needed to believe was perfect, holding very deep grudges, and immobilized by uncertainty.  It is a story of “anguished indecision” and colossal misunderstanding.  Finally, above all, it is a story of a family in crisis, a…dynasty confronted with a problem its laws and traditions could not comprehend, a family…asked to accept as authentic…a…woman whom few could bring themselves to acknowledge as sane…The answer to the riddle of [Alexandra Feodorovna] does not lie in Russia, but in the heart of the Romanov family, where pride and appearances overruled compassion and condemned a human being to life in a bitter universe of imputation and doubt.   [Ref: Peter Kurth, “Anastasia, The Riddle Of Anna Anderson," p. ix]   

I am hoping to post the theme, Romanov Family by the weekend. 

The neo-Russian style was elevated to semiofficial art in Russia, where the spread of Art Nouveau was undoubtedly aided by the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Tsar Nicholas II.  Née Alice, Princess of Hesse, the empress was raised in Darmstadt, Germany, latter one of the major centers of European Moderne, and famed for its artistic colony and regular art exhibits.  The empress like Jugendstil, the German variety of Moderne, and, naturally supported the development of analogous forms in Russia. 

As a further aside: Later this year, there will be two interesting exhibitions related to this subject. The Amsterdam Hermitage will present the best of French and Russian Art Nouveau, including spectacular glass objects of Emile Gallé and the Daum brothers, in an exhibition that opens on 13 October 2007 (http://www.hermitage.nl/en/content.htm). And the museum at the Mathildenhoehe in Darmstadt, next to the Russian Chapel, will have an exhibition titled 'In the Empire of the Last Tsar - Art and Culture in Russia around 1900' from 16 December on (http://www.mathildenhoehe.info/www/ausstellungen.html#Russland, the announecement of this exhibition in English is somewhere down the page, under the announcement in German).

What wonderful news Helen and what exciting exhibits.  Thank you so much for sharing the information.  I wonder if there is any way of obtaining catalogues from those exhibits.   To complete our “aside,” I just had to post a few pictures that show the influence of art nouveau that lasted almost to the end of the first decade of the Empreor and Empress' reign.       


Alix in 1901

You can clearly see a very elegant art nouveau design in the fabric covering the chair that the Empress is sitting in holding new-born Anastasia in 1901.

The other picture is of Ella wearing a very smart visiting gown.  The design of the gown is remarkable for the pronounced use of art nouveau motifs that adorn it. 


Ella and Sergei, Darmstald, Hesse, 1903 [I have seen the photo marked Heiligenberg]

Though the Empress’ promenade gown is far less influenced by art nouveau, the influence is subtly apparent in the bodice.   


Ernie, Alix, and Nicky, Darmstald, Hesse 1903

Just to say that occasion of the photograph is the wedding of the Empress’ niece Princess Alice Battenberg [mother of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh] to the Emperor’s cousin, Prince Andrew of Greece.  There were three wedding services, as the bride was Protestant, the groom Greek Orthodox, and a German law insisted on a civil ceremony as well. 

I find it charming that the Russian Chapel on the Mathildenhöhe, the place where Greek wedding service for the Prince and Princess Andrew was held in June 1903 is the same place the Art Nouveau exhibit, “In the Empire of the Last Tsar - Art and Culture in Russia around 1900” is going to be held in December 2007.

Let’s just take a peek at the wedding breakfast as it was such a riotously fun event. Historian David Duff tells us:

The wedding breakfast afterwards was described by Mark Kerr, naval friend of Prince Louis, as being more like a Bank Holiday on Hampstead Heath than a Royal ceremonial.  The tempo really heated up as the guests waited for Prince and Princess Andrew to change before leaving for their honeymoon at Heiligenberg.  Servants and suites were dismissed, and little mercy was expected, or given.  Mark Kerr had the job of holding Prince Andrew’s coat and hat in anticipation of his coming.  Prince George of Greece seized the hat and planted it upon the head of his aunt, Duchess Vera of Württemberg.  As he did so he knocked her spectacles to the ground and upset her hair-do, which was the latest thing in bobs.  She could see nothing without her spectacles, but, intent on revenge, she seized the hard hat and began to belabour Mark Kerr over the head with it.  Queen Alexandra, always intent on mischief, ran over to Mark Kerr’s sister, who was lady-in-waiting to Princess Louis, and whispered to her that her brother had put his hat on Duchess Vera and knocked her spectacles off.  The sister, thinking that Mark Kerr had imbibed too well and too long, rushed to the rescue of the Duchess.  It was then she heard, behind her, the tinkling and unseemly laughter of the Queen of England.

With Grand Duke Ernest Louis acting as butler, the wedded couple entered the care and drove away on the Luisenplatz.  Emperor Nicholas saw that there was a chance to catch up with them at the corner of the Wilhelminenstrasse, where spectators were standing six deep.  “Come on,” he shouted, and raced off, with children of the party hanging on his coat tails and a queue of tiaras and uniforms behind him.  Horrified, the German detectives, who were thick on the ground, pounded in pursuit.

The Emperor charged the spectators head down, shedding children as he did so.  He emerged through the front rank as their Wolseley car [I am not sure but I believe the Wolseley car was Nicky and Alix wedding present to Andrew and Alice] was about to pass.  Princess Alice was bowing and acknowledging the cheers.  She received the contents of a rice bag in the face.  A satin shoe followed.  Adroitly, she caught it and, leaning over the back of the open car, proceeded to hit the Emperor on the head.  At the same time, in the concise way Battenbergs have, she told him exactly what she thought of him.

In the middle of the street, doubled up with laughter, stood Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, as the Wolseley bowled into the night on its way to the peace of Heiligenberg.  [Ref: David Duff, “Hessian Tapestry,” pp. 275-276]

That is such a delightful image of Nicky doubled up with laughter at the corner of the Wilhelminenstrasse.  I wonder how many people passing that corner of the Wilhelminenstrasse on their way to the Russian Chapel on the Mathildenhöhe to see the exhibit, “In the Empire of the Last Tsar - Art and Culture in Russia around 1900,” will know of the enchanting memory it holds. 

Griffh, thank you so much for posting these pictures and this delightful description of the elated mood at the wedding, griffh. 

As an aside: here are some links to pictures to get an impression how these places and streets looked like at the time.
The Luisenplatz, ca. 1900: http://82.165.28.118/shop/ak/41/414228.jpg
And the Wilhelminenstrasse in 1902: http://82.165.28.118/shop/ak/77/779148.jpg. and in 1917: http://82.165.28.118/shop/ak/77/779512.jpg

I wonder if there is any way of obtaining catalogues from those exhibits. 

It will be some time till the opening of the first one, but I could post details like titles and ISBN numbers of these catalogues by then.

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915ARRANGED INTO THEMES]

Oh Helen what a treat to see the pictures of the Luisenplatz and the Wilhelminenstrasse in Darmstadt.  What perfectly charming streets and it makes that image of Nicky standing there laughing all the more real.  Please do share with us the titles and ISBN numbers of these catalogues as I know we would all be thrilled to get the information and it would give us a chance to purchase them.  I think all of us have learned how quickly publications from Darmstadt are sold out such as the Fabrice correspondence with Alix.  

Well here are the themes I promised.  I am going to post the themes Memories and the Romanov Family.  While putting together the theme Memories I incorporated the threme Birthdays, Anniveraries, and Flowers as they all seem to be related to memories.  With the Romanov family I have included Ella.  I will save my observations until after the posting of these themes.  Having said that, lets begin.  Again thank you Helen so much for contibuting such wonderful information and pictures for our little "aside."

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

MEMORIES

Stavka. 5 April, 1915
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
I thank you from the depth of my old loving heart for your two charming letters, the telegram and the flowers. I was so touched by them I I was feeling so sad and downhearted, leaving you not quite well, and remained in that state until I fell asleep...Nicky

Letter No. 59 Tsarskoe Selo, April 7th, 1915
My very own sweet One,
Every possible tender wish for to-morrow. The first time in 21 years we dont spend this anniversary together. - How vividly one remembers all! Ah my beloved Boy, what happiness & love you have given me all these years - God verily richly blessed our married life. For all your wify thanks you from the depths of her big loving heart.

Stavka. 7 April, 1915.
- To-morrow is the anniversary of our betrothal; how many joyful recollections! God bless you, my treasure, and the children! Thank Olga and Alexey for their letters. I kiss you all affectionately, and remain ever your old hubby Nicky

Telegram. Stavka. 8 April, 1915
Warm thanks for letter, telegram and flowers. In prayers and thought I am more than ever with you...Nicky

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 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!

Stavka. 8 April, 1915
My PRECIOUS DARLING,
My warm and loving thanks for your dear letter, full of tender words, and for both telegrams. I too have you in my thoughts on this our 21st anniversary! I wish you health (or well-being) and all that a deeply loving heart can desire, and thank you on my knees for all your love, affection, friendship and patience, which you have shown me during these long years of our married life! To-day's weather reminds me of that day in Coburg - how sad it is that we are not together! Nobody knew that it was the day of our betrothal - it is strange, how soon people forget - besides, it means nothing to them...Nicky

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
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. -

Telegram. Telegraph Office 152. 11 April, 1915
Last night I received the ikon, letter and photograph. I am very grateful...Nicky

Imperial Train. Proshourov. 12 April, 1915
MY PRECIOUS DARLING,
First of all, my warmest thanks for your two letters and the ikon of St. Simeon the Holy, and for Baby's photograph, which I have, alas I dropped out of the box and broken the glass. That happened in Przemysl...Nicky

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
- 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 –

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
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.

[Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915]

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
 - I wear your cross on my grey teagown & it looks too lovely - yr. dear brooch of 21 years ago I have also got on.

Letter No. 61 Tsarskoe Selo, April 9th, 1915
I wear your ideal cross.

Letter No. 61 Tsarskoe Selo, April 9th, 1915
- I wore yr. lovely cross the evening in bed still.

Letter No. 70 Tsarskoe Selo, April 18th, 1915
Yr. little plant stands on the piano & I like looking at it reminds me of the Rosenau 21 years ago!!

Letter No. 71 Tsarskoe Selo, April 19th, 1915
Yesterday Mme Janov sent us flowers from beloved Livadia - glycinias, golden raindrops, lilac iris wh. have opened this morning, lilac & red Italians anemonies wh. I used to paint & now want to again - Judas tree little branches, one pioni & tulips. To see them in ones vases makes me quite melancholy.

Letter No. 71 Tsarskoe Selo, April 19th, 1915
Such tender thanks for the divine lilacs - such perfume!
Thanks over & over again from us all

Letter No. 72 Tsarskoe Selo, April 20th, 1915
For your precious & unexpected one & lovely flowers, tenderest thanks. One feels homesick for the beautiful Crimea - our earthly Paradise in spring !

Letter No.73 Tsarskoe Selo, May 4th, 1915
So sad we shall not spend your dear birthday together - the first time!

Letter No.73 Tsarskoe Selo, May 4th, 1915
Hard not to be able to give you a birthday tender kiss & blessing !

Letter No. 74 Tsarskoe Selo, May 5th, 1915
My own beloved One,
I send you my very, very tenderest goodwishes & blessings for yr. dear birthday, God Almighty take you quite particularly into His holy keeping.  - I hope the candlesticks & magnifying glass will be useful for the train - I could not find anything else suitable, alas.

Letter No. 75 Tsarskoe Selo, May 6th, 1915
My very own precious One,
Many happy returns of this dear day.  God grant you may spend it next year in peace and joy, and the nightmare of this war be over. I cover you with tender kisses - alas, only in thoughts - & pray God to protect and quite particularly bless you for all your undertakings.

Telegram. Stavka. 6 May, 1915
I am very touched by your lovely presents and good wishes. Am sorry that we are not together...Nicky

Telegram. Stavka. 6 May, 1915
Again I thank you tenderly and warmly for your good wishes...Nicky

Letter No. 78 Tsarskoe Selo, May 10th, 1915
do you remember last year at Livadia how lovely our little Church was & once this day on board in Finland too!
Dear me, how much has happened since the peaceful, homely life in the fiords.

Letter No. 81 Tsarskoe Selo, June 10th, 1915
Our Marie will be 16 on the 14-th, so give her diamond-necklace fr. us, like the other two got. -

Letter No. 82 Tsarskoe Selo, June 11-th 1915
- Fancy, what I did last night in bed? I fished out yr. old letters & read through many of them, & those few before we were engaged - & all yr. words of intense love & tenderness warmed up my aching heart, & it seemed to me, as tho' I heard you speaking.

[Letter No. 83 Tsarskoe Selo, June 12th, 1915]

Letter No. 83 Tsarskoe Selo, June 12th, 1915
I found a paper of old Marie Feod. [wife of Alexander II, Nicky's grandmother and Alix' greataunt] you once brought me, & as it is funny, I send it to you.

Telegram. Stavka. 13 June, 1915
I have written to Marie for her birthday…Nicky

Letter No. 85 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
My own beloved One, I congratulate you with all my loving heart for our big Marie's 16-th birthday.  What a cold, rainy summer it was when she [Marie] was borne - 3 weeks I had daily pains until she turned up.
Pitty you are not here. She enjoyed all her presents, I gave her [Marie] first ring from us made out of one of my Buchara diamonds.
She is so cheery & gay to-day.

Telegram. Stavka. 14 June, 1915
Warm thanks for dear letter, and best wishes for Marie's birthday. I have only just returned from church...Nicky

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th, 1915
Your sweet smelling jasmin I put in my gospel

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th, 1915
- it [sweet smelling jasmine] reminded me of Peterhof. Its not like summer not, being there.

Stavka. 15 June, 1915
MY BEL0VED DARLING SUNNY,
My tenderest thanks for your two sweet letters. Yesterday I had not a minute to spare to write to you, as I was busy all day long. It was Marie's birthday, and it gave me happiness to be able to go to church in the morning...Nicky

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th/17th, 1915
I brought out roses, lilies of the valley & sweet peas to enjoy their perfume.

Stavka. 16 June, 1915
I hope soon to go to Beloveje by car for a whole day, and to do it quite unexpectedly...Nicky

Letter No. 89 Tsarskoe Selo, June 17th/18th, 1915
- Think of us at Bieloviezh! Such remembrances of many years ago when we were younger & went about to-gether - & of the last awful time, when poor suffering Baby lay hours on my bed & my heart also was bad - remembrances of pain & anguish - you all away - the days endless & full of suffering. - My name you will find on the bedroom window leading out onto the balkony under my initials in wire covering the windowpane.

Telegram. Beloveje. 22 June, 1915
I have arrived here all right. I remember; am thinking of you all. The forest is beautiful. I embrace you closely...Nicky

Stavka. 23 June, 1915
MY DEAR WIFY,
Yesterday I enjoyed myself in Beloveje. It was quite strange to be there alone, without you and the children. I felt so lonely and sad, but was none the less glad to see the house and our charming rooms, to forget the present and to live through past days...Nicky

Letter No.90 Tsarskoe Selo, June 18th/19th, 1915
I have an immense bunch of jasmin standing near me on the balkony - Mme Viltchkovsky picked it in the hospital garden. -

Letter No. 91 Tsarskoe Selo, June 20-th 1915
It seems sad & strange for the first time since 20 years not to go there [the Alexandrie Cottage] - but here there is more work to do & to run over fr. Peterhof constantly, I could not have managed. Then people can be sent for & got at quicker when one needs them. –

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915ARRANGED INTO THEMES]

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

ROMANOV FAMILY

Letter No. 37 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 24th, 1915
& before that Georgi lunched. -

Letter No. 37 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 24th, 1915
I sent you a letter fr. Ella wh. I got. –

Letter No. 38 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 25th, 1915
Motherdear feels depressed getting no news of the war since you left. -

26 January, 1915
I arrived here [Lvov?] this morning, and was met by dear Olga and some others. She looks and feels absolutely well and sound again. We drove in my car to her hospital. After having visited the wounded, I went to her room, where we sat for a little while, and then returned to the train.

We had lunch and then sat together. As the weather was magnificent she suggested a drive. We drove out of the town, went up a steep hill and returned by another road through a pretty wood…Nicky

Letter No. 39 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 26th, 1915
My own beloved One,
How happy Olga must be to have you with her to-day a sunny day & recompense for her hard work.

Letter No. 39 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 26th, 1915
- Tatiana [Grand Duke Constantine's daughter] received the St. George's medal for having been under fire, soi disant, in her motor, when she went to bring presents to the Erivantzy - the General there gave it to her - that's not right, it makes the order too cheap - if a bomb, a shall burst near the motor & you are simply driving by chance with presents, not working under fire, you get it - & others who work for months, as Olga, quietly in one place, & therefore have by chance not got under fire, won't receive it. –

Letter No. 39 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 26th, 1915
Boris came here for 3 days to fetch Miechen…

Letter No. 39 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 26th, 1915
…she [Miechen] cannot come to see me as she has not yet been out & there in Varsovie the warm air is to her good. She goes to see her hospital & train & motors. Its a great pitty, as the Poles neither care for the way in wh. she invites herself to their houses to meals - its so tactless of her arranging a second Paris.

Letter No. 39 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 26th, 1915
Next Miechen will be returning with it, you will see - then Helene & Marie deserve it much more for their work in Prussia at the beginning of the war. –

Letter No. 42 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 29th, 1915
Fancy Olga going to be the eldest sister now of the red Cross community out there [Rovno]- with God's help I am sure she will manage well. -

Letter No. 42 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 29th, 1915
Petia has turned up & comes to-morrow to luncheon. I shall be having to see his mad father, as I sent Loman twice to him with questions about our trains, & he received before others & screamed at him & insulted him & understood everything wrong, tho' he had the paper wh. I had seen before he got it. He is so impossible rushing about the room, giving others no time to speak & screaming at all. –

Letter No. 44 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 31st, 1915
Xenia & Ducky lunched - both are well.

Telegram. Stavka. 1 March, 1915
George is here and very busy…Nicky

Letter No. 50 Tsarskoe Selo, March 4th, 1915 
- To-morrow is N. Willy's death day - 2 years!

Stavka. 2/3 March, 1915
George looks quite well and very sunburnt; he has told me many interesting things, which he will presently pass on to you. Petiusha is here, quite recovered now. I have learnt from him that Roman had typhoid fever, but is getting better…

Yesterday N. brought me Ivanov's report from Broussilov and Khan-Nakhichevansky about the splendid behaviour of Misha's division in the February fighting, when they were attacked in the Carpathians by two Austrian divisions. The Caucasians not only repelled the enemy, but actually attacked him, and were the first to enter Stanislavov, while Misha was the whole time in the line of fire.

Everybody is asking me to give him the Cross of St. George, which I shall do, N. is sending one of his adjutants this evening with my letter and order to Misha; I am very glad for his sake, as I think that this time he has really earned this military distinction, and it will show him that he is, after all, treated exactly as all the others, and that by doing his duty well he also gets a reward…Nicky

Letter No. 50 Tsarskoe Selo, March 4th, 1915
- About Misha I am so happy do write it to Motherdear, it will do her good to know it. I am sure this war will make more of a man of him - could one but get her out of his reach, her dictating influence is so bad for him.

[Letter No. 51 Tsarskoe Selo, March 5th, 1915]

Letter No. 51 Tsarskoe Selo, March 5th, 1915
My very own beloved One,
I enclose a paper fr. Ella wh. you can sent to Mamantov, or fat Orlov

Letter No. 52 Tsarskoe Selo, March 6th, 1915
A man leaves for Olga, so must send her a line.

Stavka. 5 March, 1915
I see George often - he has improved remarkably; everybody who has seen him since his return from the Caucasus notices it. After having made inquiries as to how the plastouni (my special weakness) have conducted themselves, I have appointed myself Chief of the 6th Koubansky plastouni battalion,  and him - George - Chief of the 4th Koubansky plastouni battalion, because he was with them in their trenches - that is extraordinary, is it not? Tell Olga about it…Nicky

Letter No. 52 Tsarskoe Selo, March 6th, 1915
-That is nice your having named yourself "chef" & Georgi too - with what force & cheer those brave "PIastuni" will now be off - God bless their voyage & give them success. -

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
Ducky had a correspondant with her, and he wrote most interesting all she had done at Prasnish - she really does a lot with her unit, and is really under fire.

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
Miechen promenades with her decoration to all exhibitions etc; you ought to find out really how she got it, and that such things don't happen again, and Tatiana neither.

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
Ducky deserves it [a decoration] certainly. -

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
just heard Irene had a daughter (thought it would be a girl) glad it's over, poor Xenia worried about it all along. - It would have seemed more natural, had I heard that Xenia herself had borne a Baby. -

Telegram. Stavka. 8 March, 1915
I am very glad about Irina… Give her my kind regards…Nicky

Letter No. 54a Tsarskoe Selo, March 9th, 1915
- Irene and Baby are well - she suffered a good deal, but was brave - she likes her name, and so wished the child to be called by it, funny little thing.

Letter No. 54a Tsarskoe Selo, March 9th, 1915
From Olga good news, likes Lvov (Lemberg), she feels sad Misha is with wife there and she has never seen him for 4 years.

Letter No. 55 Tsarskoe Selo, April 4th, 1915
- That reminds me, what about Dmitri P. is he ever going to stick here?

Stavka. 5 April, 1915
Petiusha and Petia are here, and are both well…Nicky

Letter No. 58 Tsarskoe Selo, April 6th 1915
- One just brought me an endless letter fr. the Countess Hohenfelsen - I send it you to read through in a free moment, & then return it to me. Only speak to Fredericksz about it. Certainly not on my namesday or birthday as she wishes - but all can be alright in her wish, excepting the "Princess", that is vulgar to ask for. You see it will sound well when one announces them together, almost as Grand Duchess. Only what reason to Misha later - both had children before, whilst married to another man, tho' no, Misha's wife was already divorced. And she forgets this eldest son - if one acknowledges the marriage fr. the year 1904, this Son, clear to all, was an illegal child - for them I don't mind, let them openly carry their sin but the boy? You speak it over with the old man, those things he understands, & tell him what yr. Mamma said when you mentioned it to her. Now perhaps people will pay less attention. -

Stavka. 7 April, 1915
MY BELOVED SUNNY
I thank you heartily for your dear letter and am returning you the Countess's letter. I do not think that any difficulties will arise about that question; a little goodwill on our side and the thing will be done, and we shall have one annoyance the less in our lives. Of course I shall discuss it with the old man…Nicky

Letter No. 59 Tsarskoe Selo, April 7th, 1915
Probably you will see both Xenia & Olga & Sandro.

Stavka. 6 April, 1915
I was glad to see dear Olga...Nicky

Letter No. 59 Tsarskoe Selo, April 7th, 1915
The note for Olga yr. man can send her at Lvov, as you wont have time to think about it.

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
Give my love to Xenia, Olga & Sandro.

Letter No. 61 Tsarskoe Selo, April 9th, 1915
How happy Olga dear will be to see you

Letter No. 61 Tsarskoe Selo, April 9th, 1915
 - Xenia wired upon yr. arrival so kindly. -

Telegram. Lvov. 9 April, 1915
Saw Ksenia [Xenia] and Olga in her hospital…Nicky

[Letter No. 63 Tsarskoe Selo, April 11th, 1915]

Letter No. 63 Tsarskoe Selo, April 11th, 1915
I am glad Xenia & Olga saw this great moment!- How nice you went to Olga's hospital - a recompense for her infatigable work! -

Letter 64 Tsarskoe Selo, April 12th, 1915
Xenia wired that you had dined together before leaving.

Imperial Train. Proshourov. 12 April, 1915
Ksenia and Olga came to me before dinner. I left Lvov at 9.30 by rail and arrived in Brody at 12.30 at night. Here I changed over to our train…Nicky

Letter No. 65 Tsarskoe Selo, April 13th, 1915
- I whisper a wish of Kirylls, wh. he told N. P. who repeated it, en passant to Ania (because thought he could not tell you) that he hoped you would take him to Nikolaiev & Sebastopol - I only mention it like that, because I don't think you have any place for him.

Telegram. Rasdoinaia. 14 April, 1915
Warmest thanks for letter. Kyrill is going to two other places…Nicky

Letter No. 67 Tsarskoe Selo, April 15th, 1915
From Olga I also got a letter with her impressions how happy she was to see you!-

Letter No. 68 Tsarskoe Selo, April 16th, 1915
- Xenia has returned one says. -

Letter No. 69 Tsarskoe Selo, April 17th, 1915
Now I have had telephoned to Sergei for news - one says 150 severely wounded how many killed one cannot say, as one collects the bits - when the remaining people are assembled together, then they will know who is missing. Some parts in town & streets heard absolutely nothing - here some felt it very strongly, so that they thought it had occured at Tsarskoe. Thank God its not the powdermagazine as one at first had said. -

Letter No. 69 Tsarskoe Selo, April 17th, 1915
 Yesterday Paul came to tea. He told me he had just received a letter from Marie, telling him about your talk in the train concerning Dmitri... So he sent for the boy last night and was going to have a serious talk with him He too is greatly shocked at the way the boy goes on in town etc. -

Letter No. 69 Tsarskoe Selo, April 17th, 1915
Xenia is coming to-morrow to luncheon.

Letter No. 70 Tsarskoe Selo, April 18th, 1915
 Xenia & Irina lunch with us, -

Letter No. 70 Tsarskoe Selo, April 18th, 1915
Well, now they have gone, Irina looked pretty, only much too thin.

Sevastopol. 17 April, 1915
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
I thank you with all my heart for your dear letters, which have brought me such joy and consolation in what is, when all is said, my solitude. Although this time, no matter where I went, I was surrounded by members of the family in Galicia, at Odessa and here…Nicky

Letter No. 72 Tsarskoe Selo, April 20th, 1915
The family is alright, but none of them are near to you, - or really understand you.

Letter No. 72 Tsarskoe Selo, April 20th, 1915
[Daughters] and then take tea at Anitchkov.

Telegram. Orel. 20 April, 1915
To-morrow morning I shall see Ella…Nicky

Telegram. Tver. 21, April. 1915
Saw Ella for ten minutes…Nicky

Letter No. 75 Tsarskoe Selo, May 6th, 1915
- Now Xenia & Paul come to tea, so must end, - always a hurry.

Letter No. 78 Tsarskoe Selo, May 10th, 1915
Sister Olga wrote that all their wounded had to be sent off in full speed with deep sorrow on both sides - the very worse were transferred- to another hospital wh. must remain. –

Letter No. 82 Tsarskoe Selo, June 11-th 1915
Dear Olga wrote a sweet letter & kisses you & asks sweetly how you bear all, tho' she knows you will always wear a cheery face & carry all hidden inside.

Letter No. 82 Tsarskoe Selo, June 11-th 1915
went to Irina.

Letter No. 83 Tsarskoe Selo, June 12th, 1915
Dmitri had his leg put in plaster of Paris Gypsum & to-day they are going to look with Roentgen-rays to see whether the leg is really broken, crushed or strained - what bad luck always!

[Letter No. 85 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915]

Letter No. 85 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
Paul comes to tea

Letter No. 86  Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
- Paul came to tea & remained 1 & 3/4 hours, he was very nice & spoke honestly & simply, meaning well, not wishing to meddle with what does not concern him, only asking all sorts of things wh. I now repeat to you, with his knowledge. Well, to begin with, Paleolog dined with him a few days ago & then they had a long private talk the latter tried to find out from him, very cleverly, whether he knew if you any ideas about forming a seperate peace with Germany, as he heard such things being spoken about here, & as tho' in France one had got wind of it - & that there they intend fighting to the very end. Paul answered that was convinced it was not true, all the more, as at the outset of the war we our allies had settled, that peace could only be concluded together on no account separately. Then I told Paul that you had heard the same rumour about France; & he crossed himself when I said you were not dreaming of peace & knew it would mean revolution here & therefore the Germans are trying to egg it on. He said he had heard even the German mad conditions posed to us. - I warned him he w1d. next hear, that I am wishing peace to be concluded. -

Stavka. 16 June, 1915
I thank you with all my heart for your sweet, long letter, in which you give me an account of your conversation with Paul. You gave perfectly correct answers on the questions of peace. That is precisely the chief point of my rescript to old Goremykin, which will be published…Nicky

Letter No. 86 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
Then he [the Grand Duke Paul] asked me whether it was true that Stcheglovitov was being changed & that rotten Manukkin named in his place - I said I knew nothing, wh. is the truth, & neither why Stchegl. has chosen the moment now to go to the Solov. convent.

Letter No. 86 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
Then he mentioned another thing to me wh. tho' painful better to warn you about - namely, that - since 6 months one speaks of a spy being at the Headquarters & when I asked the name, he said Gen. Daniloy (the black one), that from many sides one has told him this "feeling" & that now in the army one speaks about it. Lovy mine, Voieikov is sly & clever, talk to him about this, & let him slyly & cleverly try & have an eye upon the man & his doings - why not have him watched - of course as Paul says one has the spy mania now, but as things are at once known abroad wh. only very well initiated people at the Headquarters can know, this strong doubt has arisen, Paul thought it honest to ask me whether you had ever mentioned this to me- I said no. Only dont mention it to Nikolasha before you have taken information, as he can spoil all by his excited way & tell the man straight out or disbelieve all. But I think, it would only be right, tho' the man may seem perfectly charming & honest, to have him watched. Whilst you are there the yellow men & others can use eyes & ears & watch his telegrams & the people he sees etc. One pretends as tho' he often receives big sums. I only tell you all this, knowing nothing whether there is any foundation in it, only better to warn you. Many dislike the Headquarters & have an uncomfortable feeling there & as, alas, we have had spies & also innocent people accused by Nikolasha, now you can find out carefully, please.

Stavka. 16 June, 1915
With regard to Danilov, I think that the idea of his being a spy is not worth an empty eggshell. I am quite aware, too, that he is not liked, that he is even hated in the army, beginning with Ivanov and ending with the last officer. He has a terrible character, and is very harsh with his subordinates.

N. knows this, and from time to time puts him in his place; but he considers it impossible to dismiss him after 11 months of hard work - so well does this man know his duties.

Even Krivoshein spoke to me on this subject - he thinks, for instance, that N. ought to make alterations among his Staff, and choose other men in place of Yanoushkevitch and Danilov. I advised him to tell N. of it, which he did from his own point of view, naturally. He told me later that N. had obviously not liked his frankness…Nicky

[Letter No. 86 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915]

Letter No. 86  Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915
Paul says Schtcherbatov's nomination was hailed with delight; he does not know him.

Letter No. 86 Tsarskoe Selo, June 14th /15th, 1915
& hereafter go to Mavra.

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th, 1915
I went to Mavra for an hour, she is calm & brave - Tatiana looks awful & yet thinner & greener.

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th/17th, 1915
A few days ago I wrote to you about Paul's conversation, to-day the Css. H. sends me Paleologue's answer: "Les impressions que S.A. S. le Gr. D. a rapportees de son entretien & que vous voulez bien me communiquer de sa part me touchent vivement. Elles confirment avec toute I'autorite possible, ce dont j'etais moralement certain, ce dont je n'ai jamais doute, cc dont je me suis toujours porte garant envers mon Gouvernement. A un pessimiste qui essayait recemment d'ebranler ma foi, j'ai repondu: "Ma conviction est d'autant plus forte qu'elle ne repose sur aucune promesse, sur aucun engagement. Dans les rares occasions, ou ces graves sujets ont ete abordes devant moi, on ne m'a rien promis, on ne s'est engage a rien; parceque toute assurance positive cut ete superflue; parceque l'on se sentait compris, comme j'ose esperer avoir ete compris moi-meme. A certaines minutes solennelles, il y a des sincerite's d'accent, des droitures de regard, ou toute une conscience se revele & qui valent tous les serments". - Je n'en attache pas moins un tres-haut prix au temoignage direct qui me vient de S.. A.S. le Gr. D. Ma certitude personnelle n'en avait pas besoin. Mais, si je rencontre encore des incredules, j'aurai desormais le droit de leur dire, non plus seulement: "Je crois, mais Je sais".

[Below is a very roughly translated section of the statement by Paléologue]:

My impressions of my communications with the Grand Duke Paul…confirm with absolute authority, that of which I was morally certain, that of which I never doubted, that of which I guaranteed to my Government, [i.e. Russia’s absolute commitment to the Allied cause]…To a pessimist who recently tried to shake my faith, I answered: “My conviction is much stronger as it does not rest on any promise, on any commitment…At certain solemn moments, there is a sincerity of accent, an honorableness of look, in which the whole conscience is revealed and which is worth all oaths…My personal certainty did not need any more assurance”…But if I still meet doubters, from now on I will have the right to say to them, not only do “I believe, but I know."

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th/17th, 1915
Dmitri is feeling better, tho' his leg hurts him still.

Letter No.90 Tsarskoe Selo, June 18-th 1915
The girls motored after dinner, before that they went to see Tatiana.

Letter No. 92 Tsarskoe Selo, June 21-th 1915
Postia. (to say goodbye) & Tatiana come to tea before the Children go to Ania's to play –

Letter No. 93 Tsarskoe Selo, June 22-nd 1915
…my enemy Dzhunkovsky. Ah dear, he is n o t an honest man, he has shown that vile, filthy paper (against our Friend) to Dmitri who repeated all to Paul & he to Alia.

Letter No. 95 Tsarskoe Selo, June 24th, 1915
- Sergei M. comes to tea, it seems he is quite well again & Petia.

Letter No. 96 Tsarskoe Selo, June 25th, 1915
Sergei does not look famous - we touched no subjects - he is going to ask permission to go on Saturday to the Headquarters.

Letter No. 96 Tsarskoe Selo, June 25th, 1915
Petia full of secrets & his "heart". -

Letter No.97 Tsarskoe Selo, June 25th, 1915
I had Paul to tea & we chatted a lot. He asked whether Sergei would be relieved of his post as all are so much against him, right or wrong - & Kchessinska is mixed up again - she behaved like Mine Sakhomlinov it scams with bribes & the Artillery orders one hears it fr. many sides. Only he reminded me, that it must be by your command, not Nikolasha's as you can only give such an order, (or hint to ask for his [Sergei’s] resignation) to a Grd. Duke who is no boy, as you are his Chief & not Nikolasha, that wld. make the family very displeased, He is so devoted, Paul, & putting his personal dislike to Nikolasha aside, - finds too that people cannot understand his position, a sort of second Emperor, mixing into everything.

Letter No.97 Tsarskoe Selo, June 25-26th, 1915
Xenia has announced herself to tea after her lunch at Irina's - am so glad to see her at last again.

I realize that the next logical step is to post the theme Rasputin, then Nikolasha and then Government.  When I post the theme Rasputin I will add an extensive analysis of the Yar restaurant scandal in Moscow in late March o/s.  We know from the Empress' correspondence in June 1915 that already members of her husband's family have been exposed as joining in the conspiracy against Rasputin:

Letter No. 93 Tsarskoe Selo, June 22-nd 1915
…my enemy Dzhunkovsky. Ah dear, he is  n o t  an honest man, he has shown that vile, filthy paper (against our Friend) to Dmitri who repeated all to Paul & he to Alia.

It appears from the theme Romanov Family that Alix’s relationship with her in laws was pleasant even after Dmitri became involved in the conspiracy against Rasputin.  His secret meeting with Ella in Dec. 1916 seems to indicate that this was not his first involvement in a plot to get rid of Rasputin. 

I also found it interesting that already members of the IF were turning to the Empress as resource for information about important issues.   The Grand Duke Paul is a perfect example.  It was as if there was already some awareness in the family that the Empress’ role was expanding. 

I am sure that Paul’s constant teas with the Empress in June 1915 also indicated his silent concern for his son’s involvement in the dangerous plots that were hatching in various places amongst various groups.       

I must add, given the French Ambassador’s constant fears that a separate peace with Germany was being negotiated, that his remarks, “But if I still meet doubters, from now on I will have the right to say to them, not only do ‘I believe, but I know,’” was as insincere as it was short lived. 

Another aspect of this theme that really caught my attention was the Empress’ remarks about her husband’s family not really understanding Nicky.  It has often been quoted as part of the Empress’ attempt to alienate her husband from his family, but the correspondence proves that Alix’s remarks were prompted by the admission that he felt isolated in spite of the fact that he was surrounded by members of his family:

Sevastopol. 17 April, 1915
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
I thank you with all my heart for your dear letters, which have brought me such joy and consolation in what is, when all is said, my solitude. Although this time, no matter where I went, I was surrounded by members of the family in Galicia, at Odessa and here…Nicky

Letter No. 72 Tsarskoe Selo, April 20th, 1915
The family is alright, but none of them are near to you, - or really understand you.   

Finally I must say that I have been emotionally overwhelmed by the recent discovery of the remains of Alexis and Maria.  In a tribute to both Bob and Margarita, who are keeping us informed of each step of this exciting but sorrowful moment in history I could not feeling a certain heartbreaking connection between the fate of Alexis’ framed photograph and the discovery of his remains.   Alix wrote Nicky:     

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
I send you in remembrance [of the Russian victory at Przemysl] an Image of St. Simeon - leave it for always as a guardian angel in your compartment - you will like the smell of the wood. -

Imperial Train. Proshourov. 12 April, 1915
MY PRECIOUS DARLING,
First of all, my warmest thanks for your two letters and the ikon of St. Simeon the Holy, and for Baby's photograph, which I have, alas I dropped out of the box and broken the glass. That happened in Przemysl...Nicky

Nicky’s thanks Alix “…for Baby’s photograph, which I have, alas I dropped out of the box and broken…”

These words of Nicky seem so poignant and prophetic for after almost a century of searching, we have at last found the shattered pieces. 

   

Nicholas had full reports on how his own family had turned against him in the last year of his reign and the plots against him and his wife.  Nicholas was open with his wife about these reports.  I cannot understand how Nicholas and Alexandra continued to meet with members of the family right up until the end.  For example, when GD Alexander met with Nicholas and Alexandra at TS in the last days they knew he had been conspiring to get rid of both of them.

Bob