HELENA (Augusta Victoria, 1846-1923, wife, 1866, of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess, 3rd Daughter of Queen Victoria, founder of the Princess Christian Nursing Home)

Autograph Letter Signed to the 4th Earl of Rosslyn, 1833-1890, thanking him "for such a kind letter - about the book I have brought out" of Princess Alice's letters to Queen Victoria, "the example of such a beautiful unselfish life will perhaps make some feel that our lives are not given us for ourselves ... I think there never were 9 Brothers and Sisters so united or clung so closely together. The pain is therefore all the more keen when one by one are taken", she is staying "here for a few weeks with my poor Sister in Law", Princess Helen, (née of Waldeck, 1861-1922), whose husband Prince Leopold had just died two years into their marriage, leaving children Alice (later Countess of Athlone), born on 25th February 1883, and Leopold (born after this letter on 19th July), "I am thankful to say she is very well ... She is truly admirable", embossed coronet, 4 sides 8vo black edged, Claremont, Esher, Surrey, 17th May small discoloration at foot of side 1 just touching one or two letters

Prince Alice's letters to her mother had been selected by the Queen and translated into German, interwoven with her life each year by Dr Sell, clergyman at Darmstadt. The biographical parts Princess Helena had now translated into English (a task she refers to in this letter) and published with the English originals and a preface. The letters are full of interesting and deep thought on the state of Europe as well as on family matters.
Princess Alice nursed her father Prince Albert in his last illness, the soldiers in Germany in the wars of 1866 and 1870, and her own husband and daughters in 1878 before succumbing to diphtheria.

Item Date:  1884

Stock No:  53942      £175

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