My Birthday
April 3, 1851,
I could not write to you on my birthday, my angel, although my first thought in the morning, after my thanks to God for all His blessings during the past year, was with you, and my dearest prayer was for yourself and the children. In the morning I was awakened by Andrae, who had been with Hans; then Malle called, brought me a very useful pair of slippers and a cravat (from you or mammy?), and burnt almonds; then came Knaak, whose congratulations were very cordial and kind; then I had to yawn from ten to four in the Chamber, and for dinner Röder and Stolberg had arranged a Luculline feast, which appeared to me to be terribly expensive. I was the guest of the company, consisting of Oscar, Malle, the Stolbergs, Hans, Roder, Prillwitz, Munchhausen (the new magistate for the first Jerichow district), and Andrae, the latter being also a guest. We caroused until eight, and spent the evening with the Stolbergs. Yesterday I still felt quite fatigued owing to this copious dinner, took a bath, then rode sharply for three hours with Malle, a Fräulein von Veltheim from our neighborhood near Magdeburg, and several gentlemen. After all this I was sleepy in the evening, and I am now writing you that I am well, love you very much, and still hope to be with you by the 11th.... Farewell, my sweetheart.
Your most faithful.
I could not write to you on my birthday, my angel, although my first thought in the morning, after my thanks to God for all His blessings during the past year, was with you, and my dearest prayer was for yourself and the children. In the morning I was awakened by Andrae, who had been with Hans; then Malle called, brought me a very useful pair of slippers and a cravat (from you or mammy?), and burnt almonds; then came Knaak, whose congratulations were very cordial and kind; then I had to yawn from ten to four in the Chamber, and for dinner Röder and Stolberg had arranged a Luculline feast, which appeared to me to be terribly expensive. I was the guest of the company, consisting of Oscar, Malle, the Stolbergs, Hans, Roder, Prillwitz, Munchhausen (the new magistate for the first Jerichow district), and Andrae, the latter being also a guest. We caroused until eight, and spent the evening with the Stolbergs. Yesterday I still felt quite fatigued owing to this copious dinner, took a bath, then rode sharply for three hours with Malle, a Fräulein von Veltheim from our neighborhood near Magdeburg, and several gentlemen. After all this I was sleepy in the evening, and I am now writing you that I am well, love you very much, and still hope to be with you by the 11th.... Farewell, my sweetheart.
Your most faithful.
