Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine's letter to her mother Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, dated July 13, 1862

Source:

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland: Biographical Sketch and Letters, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1884

https://archive.org/details/alicegrandduches03alic/page/32/mode/2up

Above: Alice with her husband, Prince Louis of Hesse, photographed by John Jabez Edwin Mayall.

Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, photographed by Ghémar Frères.

The letter:

DARMSTADT, July 13th.

Yesterday, after we reached Bingen, all the Hessian officers of state received us. At every station we received fresh people, and had to speak to them. At Mayence also, the beautiful Austrian band played whilst we waited, in pouring rain, which only ceased as we reached Darmstadt. The station before, the Grand Duke, Prince and Princess Charles with their children, Prince Alexander and his wife, received us — all most kind and cordial.

At the station we were again received; the whole town so prettily decked out; the Bürger rode near our carriage; countless young ladies in white, and all so kind, so loyal; in all the speeches kind and touching allusions were made to you, and to our deep grief. I believe the people never gave so hearty a welcome. We two drove through the town; incessant cheering and showering of flowers. We got out at Prince and Princess Charles' house, where the whole family was assembled.

We then went to our rooms, which are very small, but so prettily arranged, with such perfect taste, all by my own dear Louis; they look quite English.

We then drove to Bessungen for dinner en famille.

We were listening to twelve Sängervereine singing together yesterday evening — two hundred people; it was most beautiful, but in pouring rain. Some came up-stairs dripping to speak to us. The Grand Duke gave me a fine diamond bracelet he and his wife had ordered for me, and showed me all over his rooms.

To-morrow we receive the Standesherren and the gentlemen of both Houses.

My thoughts, rather our thoughts, are constantly with you, beloved Mama. Please give my love to all at home; it is impossible to write to them all.

Notes: Bürger = Burgesses Escort.

en famille = as a family.

Sängervereine = Choral Unions.

Standesherren = Princes and Counts.