The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-29
PRINCESS ALICE TO THE QUEEN.
Simple and Touching Letters Written After
Her Fathers Death.

Inc HrSt portion OF the Oh the
Grand Duchess" is chiefly interesting from
the statements of the Queen and Prince AL
bert, and others with whom she came in con-
tact, regarding her early years. In his let
tiers the Prince Consort refers to her as "the
beauty of the family" and ian extremely
good and cheerful child" Queen Victoria
adding that the Princess was "a very vain
little thing" On her fourth birthday, Lady
Lyttleton, who had charge OF the royal chIl-
dren, wrote: Dear Princess Alice in her ow-
bodied little frock and necklace of pearls!
How she trips about blushing and laughing
at all the honor that is shown herl The
whole family has made its appearance in
honor of her birthday-no simple citizen or
country gentleman could keep the day with
a simpler affection and Joy. Just now we can
only think of one present; a live lamb, all
bedecked with pink ribbons and little bells
it is already the greatest pet imagin-
OF the indelible impression which the
death of her father made on the young
fiancee (the Princess Alice the Grand Ouch
ess of Baden said: ''The amount of labor
and anxiety gone through by the Princess
Alice has amazed everyone. Herself filed
with indescribable grief at the death of her
dearly-loved father-and what a father, what
a head OF a family, what a friend and coun-
selor for his wife and children-she at once
took into her own hands everything that
was necessary in these first fearful moments
VI Tue Q6SlTuCLIOU Oh Tue uhDpl6SL anu most
blessed OF households. " 81 s All commu-
nicatioEs from the ministers and the house
hold passed through her hands to the mon
arch weighed down by her grief. With word
and pen she was busy in relieving the Queen
of all burdens as far as in her lay. The de-
c%ision, SO difficult for the Queen to make, to
leave Windsor directly after the Princes
death and go to Osborne, according to the
earnest wish of the King of the Belgians,
was come to owing 70 her influence alone"
The following letters were addressed to the
Queen by the Princess after the death of her
father:
July 20, 1862.
"a thousand thanks fer your kind, long
letter OF the 18th, which I have just received.
How well l understand your feelings. / was
again so sad yesterday, and had such a long
ing for a look or a word from dear papa. 1
could not bear it any longer. And yet how
much harder it is for you; but you know,
dear mamma, he is watching over you and is
waiting for you. The thought of the future
is the one relieving, encouraging point for
all. They who SOW in tears shall reap in JOY
And your joy, dear mamma, will be great
hereafter, if yo continue to follow that
shining example" y
"Mr. Theed's bust OF dear papa must be
very beautiful. l am curious 20 hear how
the one by Marochetti pleases you. 1t will
be very saddening for you 10 see it. | have
already been here a fortnight and absent
three weeks frem my dear country. How
much l shall have to tell yon when we meet
again, my own dear mother. | am so fond
OF you. You know, although my love and at
tachment is quiet, it is deep and true. If 1
could give up part of my present happiness
to restore you some of yours | would do it
with all my heart; but Gods will be done.
That God may support my dear mother is
the hourly prayer of her loving and sympa-
thizing child, ALICE"
July "a.
You tell me l am to write to you of only
our happiness. You will understand the
feeling which made me silent on this point
TO my own dear widowed mother; but you
are Unselfish and full of love, and can pic
tiaye '-pguhanniness. although 1 would naver
for il must make YOU feel the sad contrast
between your past and present life the more
keenly. When l tell you l love my hus-
band that is scarcely enough; it is a love and
esteem which increases daily, hourly, which
| he too shows me by all possible consldera-
| tions. and in such a tender, fond manner.
What was life before compared to what 1T is
now? 1t is such a sacred feeling of peace to
he at mis- side, his wife; it is such
a feeling of security, and both of us,
when we are together, have our own world.
which nothing can affect or disturb. MY lot
is really a blessed one-but what have L done
to deserve this warm and fervent love, which
nv darling, adored Louis shows me. L adj
mire his good and noble heart more than L
can saw. You know how much he loves me,
and he will be a good son to you.'
"DARMsTADr, Aug. 6.
'Dear. Darling Mother-Can you give me
no shadow of hope that you are at All oetter
in body or mind? 1t pains my heart bitterly
to hear this sad news from you, and yet L
know only too we'll what your life must be
without him! That God may comfort you is
my constant prayer"
"Aug. 16.
+ y = "How l long to read what Mr..
HELPS has written about papa, 1t cannot be
otherwise than beautiful and edifylng, II he
has rightly grasped the mind OF that pure
and noble being. Oh. mamma, the longing
that l sometimes have for papa surpasses all
bounds. In thought ne is always with me
and near me, but we are only mortals' aho
as such we long at times to see him IN real
itv. Dear. good papa! Take courage, deal
mamma. and feel strong in the thought tina
Won need your whole moral and physlca
strength to continue the Journey whlcl
brings you daily nearer home and him.
know how tired you feel, how you long u
rest your head on his dear shoulder, and Il
, have him with you to heal your sick heart
= You will find this rest again, and how blessed
will it be! Bear with courage and Datlenc
6 YOUR heavy burden, and it will lmpreceptl
: blv become lighter as you approach hun, ant
! Gods love and grace viii assist you. ii ohl.
. nv weak words could afford you the leas
: comfort! At any rate they spring from
2 eonfding, genuine an. loving heart"
"AUERBAcH Aug. %
MY own sweet mamma, you know
q would give my life Cor you if | could onl
Q change what you have to bear! Trust in Goo
In nv life 1 ever steadfastly feel that this
n my support and strength, and it increases q
the days pass by; my thoughts into tn
future are bright, and this contributes I
make the little trials and troubles OF til
the Light. which is our guide"
"MARcH II.
/ "My own dear, dear mamma, these wor:
t, are intended for the 10th of this month.
20 was the first severe trial in our life, Whe
d YOU allowed me to be with you. Do you +
IL 49,, hnr ruhnn oil MOS over lthe death OF U