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Peterhoff June 20. 1851
My Dear Myrtilla
As the steamer goes tomorrow I must dispatch a line of love to my dearest friend—I am now at this place preparing to leave. The ship is to sail in a day or two. I have enjoyed much in St. Petersburg & my health is better than when I came ashore. I have some head ache when I attempt to read or write & sometimes when I become more weary than I ought by looking about. I have concluded not to go in the ship beyond Elsinore, as the rough sea makes my head so much worse. From thence my present plan is to cut off a part of the route on the continent so that none of my friends willl say that I am imprudent. You will therefore write me at Paris only—& thence at London & Liverpool as agreed upon. I say this because it is so uncertain how far I may venture into Germany in that direction. Write to Paris care of Rev. Louis Bridell so that I can receive it by 1st of August. Do not think by this that I am not enjoying my journey -- or that my health is not as good as possible whatever more pleasures I may sacrifice.
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You will find some scribblings from day to day in the little note book which I send by Capt Howard so that I will only say in general that I have seen a great many interesting things here & under very favorable circumstances. Have had attentions paid me which I could not have expected & although I could not go to Moscow on [illegible] of the fatigue of the journey & the stays of the ship had been somewhat protracted. Yet up to this evening I have continued to see new things which I should have been sorry to have left without seeing.I have had a pleasant boarding house at Petersburg where I have seen much intelligent company—& I have had an excellent opportunity to visit every thing I wished. The Princess of Oldenburg on learning that I had brought the little package of books sent an invitation for me to visit them at their country seat at Kamini Ostroff a beautiful island about 5 miles from the city. I was treated with great kindness by these excellent people, invited to call upon them often & the Prince has sent a man & carriage every day I wished to go out to take me around to the palaces. Public institutions & all other places of interest. I need not tell you that I have improved this offer. But I must refer you ^to^ the scratches in my Note Book for particulars. The family are now here at Peterhoff where the Emperor & Court are spending the summer & where they have a palace much more beautiful (at least more splendid) than at Kamini Ostroff. I have spent nearly all of today with the family—walking, riding, eating, &c. &c. The Emperors daughter (Grand Duchess May) was at our lunch at 2 & she was pleased to chat with your plain American husband very agreeably. It was a privilege that even the Princess of Oldenburg was somewhat
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surprised should have been granted me. The Grand Duchess is the wife of the Duke of Leuchtenburg who is a grand son of Josephine — & being Emperors eldest daughter is (excepting her mother the Empress) the most noted woman in Russia. I shall have many particulars to tell you when I return. Peterhoff is a magnificent place— & if the ship could remain a few days I should see more than I yet have of these noble families. The Duke of Oldenburg invites me to remain in his family while I stay. I shall spend the night however with my friend Mr. Rosser (our American Consul) who lives just opposite the Prince. I do not forget those I love at home through these attentions. How often do my thoughts go away to a dearer spot, & more affectionate friends than these—& how I wish you could be here a few days to enjoy these things with me. Your good letter I rec'd duly & have to thank you for all you say. My love to the little dears—Take good care of them—Love also to all, but most to yourself. I shall be at home—(Deo Volente)—about 1st October, but we shall often hear when I get to France & England. It is very difficult to get letters here either in or out. You can have no idea of the [illegible] of the police regulations. I would write much more, but this must suffice for Today & I will write you again from Copenhagen. Ezra sends his regards. Your affectionate husband J. W. Alvord P. S. I can hardly read what I have written. God be with & protect you
