The 'Correspondence' Affair #4 - July 10, 1912 (Alexander to Millicent)

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From : London, England

July 10, 1912

My Dear Millicent,

I do not know that you would count it as theatre, but it did seem as such to me. His Lordship requested that I act as an escort for the daughter of a close friend of his who was scheduled to have her 'coming out' on the twenty-eighth of June. I, of course, agreed.

The young lady, Augustine, was very pleasant company. As a matter of fact, she and I attended the theatre together on the first of July. It was called the Royal Variety Performance and was held at the London Palace Theatre. It was a rather elaborate affair - understandably so since His Majesty King George and Her Majesty Queen Mary were both in attendance. I'm told that over three million rose petals were used in the decorations, though I cannot imagine that anyone actually bothered to count them all.

One of the performances that I believe you would have enjoyed greatly was that of Anna Pavlova. Her movements in Le Cygne were especially impressive, I thought - not that I am an expert in dance, of course. Augustine seemed to enjoy Fanny Fields performing 'The Happy Dutch Girl', but I cannot say that I cared a great deal for it myself. I've enclosed my copy of the night's program. Not all of the acts listed actually performed, though why they did not, I don't know the reason for.

Augustine and I will be attending a performance of 'The Dancing Viennese' at the Coliseum next week. Clara Dow is supposed to be appearing in it. I believe it was around four years ago that I had the pleasure of watching her in the role of Yum-Yum from 'The Mikado'. Have you ever attended any of the Gilbert and Sullivan productions, Millicent? Possibly not. Some of the material might be considered inappropriate for your age.

The word 'inappropriate' brings another topic to mind. There have been some rumbles about inappropriate and possibly even negligent behavior aboard the RMS Titanic. I have not heard a great deal in the way yet of details, but apparently some of the higher ranking crew of the ship departed on lifeboats while passengers still remained trapped onboard. If there is the slightest truth to any of that, there is bound to be an inquiry. I find it hard to believe that a British gentleman would be guilty of such a thing, yet the fact does remain that Mister Ismay, a high ranking man in the White Star Line, is alive while hundreds of others are dead beneath the waves.

On to happier topics, I am glad your language classes are going so well and must agree with your instructors that you are far too hard on yourself. I know some, who have studied French longer than you have been alive, that cannot speak it with the ease and fluency that you do. During our trip together, I don't recall a single soul ever questioning your guise as a native French girl. I do seem to recall a few questioning gazes my direction, but our being together seemed to allow my own diction to pass muster. As to the newer languages you are trying to master, German is not the kindest language to the ear, so perhaps part of the problem lies there. I have no doubt that you will conquer it as you seem to do any other thing once you've set your mind to it.

I wish I could be present to see your version of Romeo. I cannot help but think you will be able to do well despite the size difference between you and your Juliet. I do hope for your sake and sanity that she is not one of the gigglers lest you be tempted to strand her at the balcony.

Please do not get discouraged if time passes without a reply from me. There is a chance that I may be traveling on other assignments in the near future and that is likely to cause my postings to be irregular.

Yours truly,

Alexander

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I just love how you seamlessly weave history in to these letters. It really sets the mood and visuals so well.