49
« on: February 14, 2004, 04:51:41 AM »
Dear Janet
it depends of what we call 'gossip'. For me - saying something you can't possibly know for sure regarding other people (such as Anna's feelings and her husband's sexual abilities). I can't see how Naryshkina could have had any personal knowledge of both (unless....) I do not have all my Romanov books by hand, but what to do with Lili Dahn mentioning Vyrubov's wife beating as a well known fact in the society? She was just as close to Alexandra's circle as Naryshkina. I am sure I have read something about Vyrubov's sexual pervertions somewhere, as well. Gossip is not a bad thing as such, it 's a flavour of the time, but it is difficult to base judgements on it.
I have found another passage on Anna :Alexandra pushed Anna into loveless marriage, telling her it was her duty to have a husband...The man, Alexander Vyrubov .. was mentally disturbed. The marriage soon fell apart- Anna discovered that her husband was disturbed. He was also importent and could not consumate the marriage'' written by... Greg King in Last Tsarina! And no refferal to sources.
But I did not mean to make a big issue of it, just a passing comment, it is not an important subject.
Sorry to be a bore!
Galina