Mashka Romanova

[mashkaromanova]

Crop of Alexandra (‘Sunny’) Feodorovna, April 1915

“My beloved Ernie dear,

I have just now received yr precious letter through Daisy. N.[icholas] is away & wont [sic] return before 4 days, so shall send this to your Gentleman & ask him not to wait. Alas, there is nothing to be done, & from this side one cannot begin. One can only pray that this heartrending bloodshed may soon end. Deary, you are mistaken, it is grossly exagerated [sic] 500,000 prisoners, why the losses of dead & prisoners only make that about. But we shall not go into any details - it all hurts too much for words. - Yes, our love will never change, & we feel that & our prayers for each other continue. 

Tell Moritz (Riedesel, Oberstallmeister) I pray morning & evening for his boys - one poor dear alas has fallen. One’s heart bleeds - the whole world sorrows. Certainly all the best sides are brought to the front. Its [sic] difficult writing, the heart is too full - & there are things wh. hurt beyond words - & I thank God your dear men are on the other side - they would never be cruel, as the Pr.[ussians] are. - Beloved Boy, heart & soul think of you & yr precious family - am sure sweet Onor is perfection & the real mother to your people - understand all you go through. - Only in prayer & work one can get on.

Since the very beginning the two big girls & I went through a course of Sisters passed our exams & nurse the wounded, clean, tend & bind their wounds & give the instruments at operations & amputations. I have been 6 weeks quite ill again & now miss my work, & twice before was long laid up with my heart - one forgets everything in looking after those heroes & their appalling wounds & then my health invariably breaks down - but the girlies work on. We have masses to do - they too have their committees at wh. they preside - visit hospitals daily & work every morning in our hospital.

Ella works hard with her committees, shall send her your letter - have not seen her since Dec: we are all too buisy [sic]. Sister Olga we have not seen since the beginning, she is away working hard with her hospital - Marie too. All working in unison, big & small. - 

This being cut off from each other is fearful, but its true one does not know what to write one does not wish to hurt each other involuntarily. But our hearts beat together. - As yours stand firm, so do ours. The Children keep well. - Yes, all seems like a horrible dream! Thank God Papa did not live to see all - all against each other, friends & relations on all sides. - Yes, one daily learns from those brave fellows - never a complain, stoically resignedly hearing all - only longing to get back again. I pittied [sic] one fellow once, he suffered so - he answered me - ‘its nothing, Christ suffered, so we must too’; always such answers - such deep, deep faith.

I receive lovely letters fr. the soldiers of all different regiments out at the front, thanking for things, & they write so beautiful sometimes & so sure. - And the bravery, heroism of wives, widows, mothers who loose one son after the other, - & never a complaint! Our dear ‘monkey’ as you called Бугаковь, fell before V. - Many a dear friend has gone - but their deaths are glorious & yonder they are all together, no strife, no difference, all fell for their countries & are heroes around God’s throne. - All sides are sure of success - all sides think alike - some have luck at first, others at the end - so one can say nothing - all lies in God’s hands & He will decide right. -

I am glad you say its rubbish about hunger - because alas our prisoners, in some places have scarcely any food they write. In some places well cared for, in others not - their families send money, they never get it. Of course all depends upon the individual at the head - who is more humane, who less. All sides have their faults. One could write on for days - but no good - this is to be a letter of love and full understanding. How one’s heart is torn, you know - & to hear nothing from home is awful - but one puts ones trust in God. -

When he returns I shall give him your dear letter to read. - To all at home my endless love. Thank Toots for her letter. Poor Toni Ehrhardt - Pollie (v. Ungern-Sternberg) - I live through all with them in prayer. - Shall send this letter through Daisy to your Gentleman - think its safest. - Goodbye my Ernie, my very own brother, precious Treasure. I bless & kiss you four with fervour & tenderness - my thoughts so constantly wander to the Rosenhöhe, one lives in the past & present. - In his name I kiss you, as I know he would. - May God on high hearken unto all prayers - we all suffer & all trust unto His mercy. -

Know, my Boy, that when you wander alone, Sunny is near you, sharing yr sorrow. - Her wee old home is never forgotten tho’ she is entirely one with her new one. - Onor & I know more than ever now, what it is to be the Mother to all & to see, hear & daily feel it - the heart goes out in boundless love to those tender, trusting, grateful hearts - yes, we women have now so much to give & proove [sic]. Once more God bless & protect you now & ever. A long kiss, love fr. yr old Sunny.

[P.S.] The Children kiss you 4 tenderly. - V.[ictoria] & all are well - she lives at Kent House.”

- Alexandra to Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, 17th/30th April 1915

[mashkaromanova]

“My dear Marie,

I heartily thank you for the Easter card, which I received only now and was very touched by your sweet attention. I hope you are all well and pass the time well. I kiss you, my dear goddaughter, and send my greetings to Papa, Mama, your sisters and Alexei.

Loving you Uncle Mimi.”

- Michael Alexandrovich to Maria Nikolaevna, 14th/27th April 1915

[mashkaromanova]

Tatiana Nikolaevna, April 1917

“Indeed He Has Risen!

Thank you so much my dear sweet Lili for both your cards. I was so happy to finally get some news from you. How are you? By now I am completely well and take walks with Papa every day, and now we are breaking ice with him. Alexei also goes outside with us. If you write to us, address the letters to the nurses at the Infirmary #3 on the Sadovaya Street, as the letters will get there faster and more certain. Did you get the nurses’ letters through Rita? Is G.[illeg] spending the holidays in Moscow at the sister’s. [illeg]. Have you seen Evgeni Alexandrovich, N.N. and Khv.? How is he doing. It is almost autumn here already [illeg]. A lot of mud and water. Mama was lying down on the balcony a few times and writing to you. [Her] heart still hurts and is tired. Well, all the best to you, my darling. Where is Alexander Nikolaevich? May the Lord keep you. I kiss you affectionately, as always. - And the others kiss you too. Yours, Tatiana.”

- Tatiana to Lili Dehn, 5th/18th April 1917

“Sweet Valentina Ivanovna,

Thank you so much for your letter, was so happy to hear from you. Do you visit the infirmary a lot? And where do Rita, Olga Porf. and Vera Ign. live now? What will they do with our old infirmary now, another hospital - surgical department or infectious diseases? I apologise for so many questions, sweet Valentina Ivanovna, but I’m so curious to know everything that’s happening with you. 

We constantly remember how nice it was to work at the infirmary, and how we all got along. Right? Sometimes I look at the little piece of paper, which you wrote to me about my handwriting, do you remember? Already one change has happened, which we did not expect so soon. It’s funny but still some of the character traits are correct. Well, all the best. I kiss you affectionately, Alushka too. Regards to Lid. Aleks., the nurses, and the wounded. Sister Tatiana.”

- Tatiana to Valentina Ivanovna Chebotareva, 14th/27th April 1917

[mashkaromanova]

“Baby had a better night 36°. 9:00-10:00 Anastasia: Isaiah 38-42. Sat with Baby. Played cards & worked.12:15-1:00 Maria: J. Sirach 18-26. After luncheon the Com. Yakovlev came as I wanted to arrange about the walk to Church for Passion Week. Instead of that he announced by the order of his government (Bolsheviks) that he has to take us all away (to where?) Seeing as Baby is too ill wished to take Nicholas alone (if not willing then obliged to use force) I had to decide to stay with ill Baby or accompany him. Settled to accompany him as can be of more need & too risky not knowing where & for what. (we imagine Moscow) Horrible suffering. 

Marie comes with us, Olga will look after Baby, Tatiana the household & Anastasia will cheer all up. Take Valia, Niuta, Yevgeny Sergeevich offered to go. Chemodurov & Sednyov [sic]. 10:30. Took meals with Baby, put few things together, quite small luggage. Took leave of all our people. After evening tea with all. Sat all night with the Children. Baby slept & at 3 went to him til we left. Started at 4:30 in the morning. Horrid to leave precious children. 3 of our rifles went with us.”

- Alexandra Feodorovna’s diary, 12th/25th April 1918

[mashkaromanova]

Alexandra Feodorovna, April 1914

“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 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 not to 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. -”

- Alexandra to Eleonore of Hesse and by Rhine, 11th/24th April 1914

[mashkaromanova]

Nicholas Alexandrovich, April 1917

“An excellent spring day. At 10 o’cl. took a walk with Valya Dolgorukov. At 11 o’cl. went to obednya with Tatiana and Anastasia. After breakfast went outside to the park with them and Alexei and broke ice the entire time by our summer docks; a crowd of onlookers again stood by the lattices and stared at us from beginning to end. The sun warmed [us] nicely. After tea went through masses of postcards received previously. In the evening played ‘Windmill’ with Alix upstairs, then read aloud to Tatiana in my [room].”

- Nicholas’ diary, 3rd/16th April 1917

“A marvelous spring day: 12° in the shade. In the morning took a walk for almost an hour. In the afternoon continued to break ice, and a crowd still stared through the lattices from the street. Started to read ‘History of the Byzantine Empire’ by Uspensky; a very interesting book. Spent the evening the same as the last ones.”

- 4th/17th April

“It rained during the night from which the snow almost disappeared. The day remained grey and cool. Slept badly and got up late. Took a walk in the morning. In the afternoon worked with Alexei at both spots. A few people were staring at us. There was a lot of water, it overflowed through the stone tiles. Before dinner read my book, and in the evening aloud to Tatiana.”

- 5th/18th April

“The day remained cool. Alexei got a bit of a sore throat and was put to bed. Olga is still in bed, while Maria gets up for a few hours. During the day worked with Tatiana between the bridges. Spent the evening as usual.”

- 10th/23rd April

[mashkaromanova]

“Indeed He Has Risen!

Huge thanks to you, my precious Papa Darling for the picture and the very appetising egg. I wish you all the very very best. I also thank you for the flowers which we got yesterday, I love them so much, they are called ‘prosurenchiki’. I miss you so terribly much, that you are not here with us, but at least those who are with you must bee very happy to have you near them. Regards to all. I give you a terribly big triple kiss, and many little ones to your hand and cheek and everywhere. Your loving loyal and faithful always and everywhere.

Kaspiyitz.

May God keep you.”

- Anastasia Nikolaevna to Nicholas II, 9th/22nd April 1916

[mashkaromanova]

Alexandra Feodorovna, 1898

“Darling Ernie dear,

Paul has offered to bring you these lines, I envy him so much seeing you in two days. He is looking forward to meeting you, as otherwise the prospect of Dresden does not amuse him greatly. My thoughts were so much with you both yesterday, & I pray that each time the 19th returns it may be the beginning of a happier year for you two, & the full realisation of your wishes in 94. To-day is our Engagment day - how long ago it seems & also as if it had been yesterday. My Nicky gave me Wondra’s lovely bracelet - pearls & 2 rubies - beautiful. - 

Since two days we have snow & rain & it is too dirty to walk. - Olga has not yet been out & she is very pale. - I hear A. Marie has gone to Cannes, & am so glad, as she can be with poor U. Alfred & look after Missy’s doings. - On the 14/26th we are going to Zarskoe at last, & I think the change of air will do us all good. -

Now Goodbye, my beloved Ernie dear, I kiss you ever so tenderly & lovingly. Yr old Sunny.

[P.S.] God bless & protect you & give you strength, health & happiness.”

- Alexandra to Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, 8th/20th April 1898

[mashkaromanova]

“My beloved darling. I just got your letter from 14 December with the poetry. Although it is very old, I was still really happy and thank you for it. I don’t know if you get any of my letters? This is the 6th one since the New year. I gave Papa the letters from the coeds and he thanks [them]. Thank God that all is well with you now. It was scary, learning from the newspapers what was going on where you are and not have any news from you for such a long time. All is well with us for now, more or less. The red army men are here too, recently a detachment arrived, but for now they are behaving decently. Everyone fasted and attended divine services during the first week, and were also in Church three times. And now vsenoshnayas and obednitsas are at home again. 

Oh, you know, they moved Nastenka, Trina, Valya and Tat.[ischev], and also all our people to our house, and locked everyone up tightly. That’s right. So our house is now crowded with screens, people, etc. These last few days were cooler and overcast, but still the sun comes out just before sunset, like right now for instance, and it warms so nicely. Recently it was 21 deg. on the balcony, nice? The snow is melting and the mud in the streets, and especially in our little garden, is incredible. Also a lot of water. 

We live as always in general – take walks, sit in the sun on the porch, saw, chop firewood and etc. When it is sunny, then all feels nice even when there is nothing to do, while vice versa is boring. – No news from Katya since Christmas. Olya wrote in January, Bibi too. I know that they write often, but for some reason [letters] don’t reach [us]. Baron with Olga Porf. are in T.S., each in his own infirmary. The poor Countess has a new sorrow – her Father has died. Recently we got a very sweet letter from [illeg]. – Well, I think this is all I know. Oh yes one more thing, Ivan Gor. Trof.’s son was born in Yeltz. He wrote to Evg.Serg. - We can see Isa from the window. Babochka’s family and he himself dispersed to different places. His godmother stayed in Petrograd though. Everyone sends regards. I embrace you warmly. May God keep you. 

Your Olga. Send lots of good wishes to little Cher. and your landlords. 

5th April, 1918. 

As we were about to submit the envelope, we received your letter from 3/16 March, thank you dear. I can only imagine what you lived through, my poor ones. And how is it now? I don’t know if you heard that our poor Gubar., and also Sasha Dum. and little Kablukov were killed. Horrible stuff. Everyone from Ai-Todor moved to Dulber, [they] are well. The letters now take a long time. For now P. Kob. receives letters for us, but soon some sort of a commissar will arrive and then we don’t know how it will be. 

Whatever God sends – since all comes from Him, and no matter how hard it is, then it is because it’s necessary for some reason. – Now it is unclear, but later we will understand. I wait impatiently for another letter. Oh yes, about the violets, and little rock, everyone is very grateful. We put it into the Bible. I kiss my darling firmly one more time. Your Olga.”

- Olga Nikolaevna to Margarita Sergeevna Khitrovo, 4th/17th April - 5th/18th April 1918

[mashkaromanova]

“Lesson in the morning. Stopped by Znamenie, from there to the infirmary. Surgery, amputated half a soldier’s heel, handed the instruments. Then Pavlov’s surgery. Again made an incision on both feet, because of the dark. And high fever. Both times handed instruments, then bandaged Sedov. Got home at 1.30. Was at the Crimeans’. Breakfast and lunch with Mama. Had a lesson. At 3.30 we 4 went to our infirmary for a concert. Sat near Sedov. He was lying down on the sofa. Smirnov sang, Bellini, also Christopher sang. Lersky spoke, Dolsky. Very funny. A cellist and a violinist played. Preobrazhenskaya danced. Returned at 5.30. It was very nice. Then lessons. In the evening sat with Mama. Ours arrived at Stavka.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna diary, 1st/14th April 1916

[mashkaromanova]

Crop of Alexandra (‘Sunny’) Feodorovna, 1898

“My Ernie Darling,

Last night I received your precious letter, it was a delightful surprise to me, & I thank you for it very tenderly. It was a great comfort, receiving it just before confession, & the Holy Communion this morning. The Babies were so good. - I prayed earnestly for you both, that God might bless & comfort you, & bring you closer to-gether with strong, trusting love & devotion. May He give you strength & health, Ernie Darling. Be sure to do all the Drs tell you, no matter how tiresome it may be - your whole happiness depends upon it & with perseverance & patience & leading a regular, healthy life, all must come well in time. - I hope the the little trip to Italy benefited you, but you must be happy to get back to your sweet Wife and Child. -

Only since a few days I begin to write again, as one has to be so careful with one’s eyes after the measles. I was very ill with one complication after the other, & I still have a pain in my side. Walked I have five times, & driven once in a shut carriage. The sun is bright but there is a cold wind, so I have to take care not to cough again. It is such a nuisance looking after oneself, but when on is married it is one’s duty. The Reskys have been singing in Lent, I could only listen through the telephone. - Aunt Minny returns to-day from Copenhagen & Misha & Olga from Gatchina. - Poor U. Alfred must have been seriously ill, I trust he will recover quick, soon. - The Aunts have been to see him often & Grandmama too. -

Alas I hear from all sides that Missy is leading a strange life in the south, constant parties & expeditions with people out of a lower, unknown society, & that she dresses very loudly. All pitty [sic] & are sorry for her, so pretty, young & leading such a life, going to a ball, where decent people cannot be seen & dressing like certain odd women. - Poor little thing, I wish she had a more sensible & severe husband to prevent her foolishness. - It comes all from her bringing up - always the beauty, the painter & told in her face - whereas Ducky, who is a thousand times more handsome & clever & deep - she was out & never looked at. How can parents have favourites & when a girl is pretty & vain they ought not to tell it her. - The 15/27 we shall be at last returning to Zarskoe. -

I cannot write anymore now. I kiss you three ever so tenderly & remain yr deeply loving Sunny.

[P.S.] On the 19th our thoughts will be very much with you two & our tender prayers for great happiness.”

- Alexandra to Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, 2nd/14th April 1898

[mashkaromanova]

“At 9.45 in the morning we two went to the city with Mama for the consecration of the church at the School of Folk Art. Breakfast at Grandmama’s with Aunt Olga. Later Mama and I went to the church that holds the icon of Skoroposlushnitsa. Very beautiful. Then to the Kazan Cathedral. On the way ran into Levan. Then walked around the warehouse at the Winter Palace. From there went to Aunt Ksenia’s. Sat there for a little bit. Aunt Olga was there too. Then Olga came to get us. Returned at 4.15. Had tea and dinner with Mama. Then we 5 rode together from 7 to 8 o’clock. At 8.45 went to the infirmary. Cleaned instruments with Bibi. Went to see everyone, [stayed] with Sedov for a little bit, then boiled silks with Valentina Ivanovna. Returned at 11 o’clock.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 31st March/13th April 1916

[mashkaromanova]

“Went to church with Papa and Mama. Had breakfast [we] 5, Papa and Mama on the sofa. [We] 4 went to the Gr.[and] Pal.[ace]. Walked with Papa and Mama [rode] in a carriage. Broke ice [we] 4 with Papa. Had tea in the playroom. [We] 5 went to Anya’s concert at the infirmary, ‘Ivanov Pavel’ and the magicians. Went to our infirmaries with A[nastasia]., 17 soldiers arrived from the train. Rode around with A. and Shura. Had dinner 5 with Papa, Mama, Silaev and Anya. Papa read.”

- Maria Nikolaevna’s diary, 20th March/2nd April 1916

[mashkaromanova]

“Mama darling!

I kiss You my sweet Angel & pray for You. Sleep well & good bless & keep you well for all who love you.

Yr. ever own girl Olga.”

- Olga Nikolaevna to Alexandra Feodorovna, 13th/26th March 1915

[mashkaromanova]

“Had a lesson. Went to Anya’s to get Mama and Olga. Then went to the infirmary. Karangozov had appendicitis surgery. Then bandaged Kupov. Then went with Mama to the lower infirmary church for panikhida for poor Grabov. He now just lies there, such terrible pity for him. He was from Alexei’s Georgian Regiment. [We] 4 with Mama went into the city. Had breakfast on the train. Went to Maria’s and Anastasia’s commuter infirmary. Then returned. Had tea and lunch with Mama. Had lessons. Officers who were leaving to the front presented themselves to Mama. Krat was there. He is going for the third tie. Iedigarov’s nephew was there too. In the evening sat with Karangozov for a bit, then with Anya.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 3rd/16th March 1915

[mashkaromanova]

“Sleep well & God help You, sweet Mama dove. We three kiss & love You awfully, darling. 

Your ever own girl Ольга.”

- Olga Nikolaevna to Alexandra Feodorovna, 2nd/15th March 1915

[mashkaromanova]

“Had a lesson in the morning. Went to the Grand Palace to get Mama and Olga at Grabov’s. Drove to the infirmary. Stayed for a bit with Vachnadze and Navruzov. He now goes to the outpatient [clinic] and lives in Petrograd. Surgery for a lower rank, hernia. Then bandaged Navruzov. Breakfast with Mama and E.A. Naryshkina. In the afternoon went to inspect Mama’s hospital train, then skated with Isa. Went to the Grand Palace. Lessons. Had dinner with Mama. Found out that poor Grabovoy died. Went to Anya’s. Tina-Tina Djordjadze and Olga Voronov were there. Terribly glad to see them, such darlings. Remained until 11 o’clock.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary 2nd/15th March 1915