The Letters of the _Tsar to ,the Maritsa, '914-1917

[By arrangement with Messrs. John Lane, who .will publish the complete book, in the spring,-we- are- able -to print a -series of extracts from " The Letters of the Tsar to the Tsaritsa, 1914- 1917." These letters and telegrams, originally written in English, are re-translated from the official Russian publication of " The Correspondence of -Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov "- the only available text, and now appear for the first time in England. In last week's extracts the Tsar describes his taking over of the Supreme Command from the Grand Duke Nicholas.] Stavka (Military Headquarters), August 25th, 1915.

MY own beloved, darling Sunny,—Thank God it is all over, and here I am with this new heavy responsibility on my shoulders ! But God's will be fulfilled-T-I feel so calm—a sort of feeling after the Holy Communion !

The whole morning of that memorable day, Aug. 23, while coming here, I prayed much and read your first letter

over and over .again. . The nearer the moment of our meeting, the greater the peace that reigned in my heart.

N. (the Grand Duke Nicholas) came in with a kind, brave

smile, and asked simply when I would order him to go. I answered in the same manner that he could remain for two days ; then we discussed the questions connected with mili-

tary operations, some of the generals and so forth, and that was all.

The following day at lunch and dinner he was very talkative and in a very good mood, such as we have not seen him in for many months. Pet. too ; but the expression on his adju-

tant's face was of the gloomiest—it was quite. amusing.

I must do justice to my gentlemen, beginning with old Fr. —they behaved well, and I did not hear one discordant note, not one word at which one could cavil.

Naturally, while N. is here I have requested him to be

present both mornings at the report. Alexeiev makes them

so well. He was touched by the litle ikon and the blessing which you sent through me. N. repeated to me that he was going from here quite calmly, knowing that I had such help in Alexeiev.

A new clean page begins, and only God Almighty knows what will be written on it !

I have signed my first prikaz [order] and have added a few words with a rather shaky hand !

We have only just finished our evening meal, after which I had a long conversation with Laguiche, and later with Gen. Williams.

Both Georgie and the King of the Belgians have replied to my telegrams, in which I informed them of our changes here— and so promptly !

I am so glad that you have spoken to old Gor. and have consoled him. Please tell him, next time, from me, that as soon as the Council of State and the Duma finish their work they must be adjourned, no matter whether I shall be back by that time or shall still be here !

Why not see Kroupensky ?—he is a trustworthy man, and might perhaps tell you something worth while.

Think, my Wify, will you not come to the assistance of your hubby now that he is absent ? What a pity that you have not been fulfilling this duty for a long time [long ago] or at least during the war !

I know of no more pleasant -feeling than to be proud of you, as I have been all these past months, when you urged me on with untiring importunity, exhorting me to be firm and to stick to my own opinions.

We had only just finished playing dominoes when I re- ceived through Alexeiev a telegram from Tvanov, who reports that to-day our 1Ith Army (Shcherbatchev's) in Galicia attacked two German divisions (the 8rd Guard and the 48th Infantry) with the result that they have captured over 150 officers and 7,000 men, 30 guns and many poulemeti [machine guns].

And this happened immediately after our troops learnt that I have taken upon myself the Supreme Command. This is truly God's blessing, and such a swift one !

Now I must finish ; it is already late, and I -must go to bed. God bless you, rny't beloved treasure, my Ray of Sunshine !

Tenderly and again tenderly do I kiss you and the dear children.—Always your hubby, Mogilev. September 9th, 1915.

My own dear, beloved Suriny,I thank you, I thank you for your deair, long letters, which now come more regularly— about 9.80 in.the evening. You write just as you speak. The behaviour of some of the Ministers continues to amaze me !

After all that I told them at that famous evening sitting, I thought they understood both me and the fact that I was seriously explaining precisely what I thought. What matter ? —so much the worse for them ! They were afraid to close the Duma—it was done ! I came away here and replaced N., in spite of, their advice ; the people accepted this move as a

natural thing and understood it, as we did. The proof—num- bers of telegrams which I receive from all sides, with the most

touching expressions. All this shows me clearly one thing : that the Ministers, always living in town, know terribly little of what is happening in the country as a whole. Here I can judge correctly the real mood among the various classes of the people : everything must be done to bring the war to a vic-

torious ending, and no doubts are expressed on that score.

I was told this officially by all the deputations which I re- ceived some days ago, and so it is all over Russia. Petrograd and Moscow constitute the only exceptions—two minute points on the map of the fatherland !

* * * *

Telegram. Pskov. October 1st, 1915.

Hearty thanks for dear telegram. We miss you greatly. I sat with Alexey; played various games, walked about on the stations. 'Have just had dinner with Marie and the Generals. To-morrow I shall inspect the troops further on Good-night. Sleep well. . . .

" Alexey : the Tearevitch was accompanying his father to 0.11.Q. It was considered that his presence would have a favourable effect on the morale of the troops, and that he would gain an insight into military matters which would have a definite educative value in his training as the future Tsar."

* * *

Mogilev. October 6th, 1915.

My precious little Bird,—My warmest thanks for your loving letter ; I am in despair at not having written Once since we left, but really, I am occupied here every minute from 2.30 to 6. And the Little One's [the Tsarevitch] presence takes up part of my time too, for which, of course, I am not sorry. His company gives light and life to all of us, including the

foreigners.

It is very cosy sleeping side by side. I say prayers with him every night since the time when we were on the train ;

he says his prayers too fast, and it is difficult to stop him. He was tremendously pleased with the review ; he followed me, and stood the whole time while the troops were marching past, which was splendid. I shall never forget this review. The

weather was excellent and the general impression astounding. Life here goes on as usual. Alexey lunched in his room with Mr. Gilliard only on the first day, and after that he begged hard to be allowed to lunch with all of us. He sits on my left hand and behaves well, but sometimes he becomes inor- dinately gay and noisy, especially when I am talking with the others in the drawing-room. In any case, it is pleasant for them, and makes them smile.

I am surprised at the amount he is able, and wishes, to walk, without complaining of being tired ! He sleeps well, as I do too, in spite of the bright light of his lampadka [ikon lamp]. He wakes up early in the morning, between 7-8,

sits up in bed and begins to talk quietly to me. I answer him drowsily, he settles down and lies quietly until I am called.

God bless you, my Sunny, my beloved Wify ! I kiss you and the girls tenderly. A. as well.—Always yours, Man% * * *

Telegram. Stivka. December 19th, 1915.

Warmest thanks for dear letter. I am glad that the Little One is on his feet again. Fancy, Georgie has promoted me to Field-Marshal of the British Army. I am leaving to-day at 10 in the evening. You will find the explanation in my second letter. I kiss all fondly. Nrcicv.

(A further extract from the Tsar's letters will appear nest week.)