Letter from Hélène Bricka, White Lodge, Richmond Park, to Dr. William Baldwin, 1897 January 4 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning the temper tantrums of the Duke of Teck; saying "Your letters took a long time to take effect! At first the Duke seemed not to realize that his temper could in any way contribute to hurt H.R.H. Well, after all the Xmas work, the Duchess of York felt that H.R.H. must have some rest, but how to invite her without the Duke? So she wrote & sent him your letter & to our astonishment the Duke took everything so quietly & seems quite anxious that H.R.H. should go. I hope she will do so on the 6th & that Princess May will watch over her & make her go to bed. This alas! is still bad, almost worse than ever. Now it is always 1 in the morning when we leave the Drawing Room & H.R.H. can't be in bed before 2.30 or later. It is too too sad & the Sweets she eats! Well, I don't think that anyone will ever change her; going to bed late has become almost a second nature to her. Everyone tells me how ill H.R.H. looks; her complexion is so grey, her eyes puffed, hands swollen. Dr. Wadd is not half strict enough. Do urge H.R.H. to see that Neuheim Dr. here (I forget his name). The idea that she is killing herself is killing me. I can't think of anything else. Prince Dolly [Prince Adolphus of Teck] is most unhappy about it all & I hear that the Queen was so shocked when she saw her last. O'Callaghan wrote such a happy letter on Xmas day, saying that you sent him such a good case. How very kind of you. I am so much obliged to you for what you do for my friend. We have Hood against us otherwise I know H.R.H. would appoint O'C to her Household. Later on you must help me, or better still support me in getting for him the post from the Duchess of York. With God's help we must succeed. We had a charming Xmas here. A few friends stayed here also Prince & Princess Adolphus & the Baby who is every [sic] so much better. Her eyes have lost that raw look. Of course the eyelids are still fast & very likely a little operation will be necessary. The Duke is, at times, better. If only he could control himself, it seems, so sad to make every thing a Burden. When people have so much to be thankful for why make mountains out of mole hills? Is there no peace, anything for a quiet life. / 6th / Dr. O'Callaghan writes that his patient is getting on so well. My niece went to see him & she is most interested in him. Mrs. Richards is ill otherwise she would have gone herself to see the little American."