BIB_ID
428249
Accession number
MA 9781.16
Creator
Bricka, Hélène, 1847-1914.
Display Date
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, 1897 October 6.
Credit line
Gift of Patricia S. Baldwin, 2018.
Description
1 item (4 pages) ; 18.6 x 11.4 cm + envelope
Notes
This letter is part of a collection of letters from the Duke and Duchess of Teck, Mary of Teck and two members of their Royal Household, Hélène Bricka and A. Nelson Hood to Dr. William Wilberforce Baldwin. See the collection record for more information.
Year of writing from postmark.
Written from "3 Rue de Lorraine / St. Germain-en-Laye / Seine et Oise / France" on stationery engraved with a design of green leaves wrapped with a pink ribbon, divided into 6 pieces, which say "Droit / Penser / Droit / Vouloir / Droit / Agir" in the upper left corner. Miss Bricka has marked the letter "Private" above the engraving.
Envelope with postmark and the same design engraved on the flap as appears on the stationery to "Dr. Baldwin / Villa Rubyni / 1 Via Palestro / Florence."
Year of writing from postmark.
Written from "3 Rue de Lorraine / St. Germain-en-Laye / Seine et Oise / France" on stationery engraved with a design of green leaves wrapped with a pink ribbon, divided into 6 pieces, which say "Droit / Penser / Droit / Vouloir / Droit / Agir" in the upper left corner. Miss Bricka has marked the letter "Private" above the engraving.
Envelope with postmark and the same design engraved on the flap as appears on the stationery to "Dr. Baldwin / Villa Rubyni / 1 Via Palestro / Florence."
Provenance
Dr. William W. Baldwin; his grandson Nicholas Baldwin; Patricia S. Baldwin.
Summary
Relating the details of the serious illness of her sister which brought her to France; saying "My presence is a great comfort to her. I never leave her day and night. I feel a little tired but Belford has done me so much good that I am able to do ever so much more than I ever expected to. What I dread most with my poor sister is wanting of breathing. Sunday last she nearly suffocated...But I go on speaking about myself when I know how sad you are; your last letter to H.R.H. was full of bad news & we all felt deeply for you. If you can tell me how your children are I would be much relieved. I know now how devoted you are to them & to see them in bad health must be indeed hard for you. I think H.R. H. has much benefitted by her stay at Belford but she still keeps her late hours, is never in bed before 1 or 2 & is most careless in her eating. Several times I notice that her legs were much swollen. Nurse is still with her but we saw none of the doctors. Miss F. was up there for a month & we got on well. I never went near them so she had all her own way. You must never let anyone know that I told you that Miss F. is supposed to have reported all to Dr. A. The Duke of Y. swears that he never repeated a word & Miss F. too, that she never said any thing. Yet Dr. L. says that Dr. A. told him that Miss F. repeated all to him!! Wadd has resigned as you know. I am very sad to lose him; what will they do to find another Controller? The Duke is getting worse, his rages about mere stupid trifles are appalling. H.R.H. must see that something is done. Poor Prince Alge [Prince Alexander of Teck] had sad holidays. I almost think that he will be glad to go back to S. Africa - There is a young girl about 24 years old, wishing to go to Italy as governess; she is french, roman catholic, most carefully brought up in one of our best convents, finished her education in Germany, she paints, plays the piano & longs to spend 1 year in Italy. I wonder if you know a family who requires a governess or a companion. My friend would be so grateful. My sister waits - must finish. Do write soon."
Catalog link
Department