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Mon 01 Jul

CLÉMENTINE, princesse de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha (1817-1907) - Set of 2 L.A.S.: "Clémentine", Hotel Baur au lac, Zurich, August 5, 1865 and August 10, 1865, addressed to her husband, Prince Auguste de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha (1818-1881), 2 1/2 pages, on headed paper, text in French, good condition. -August 5, 1865: "We have arrived well here my dear friend, after having had driving rain all the way, a very biting cold during the night and a violent wind on Lake Constance which made the boat roll quite strongly. Here we found fine weather, walked around town, took a little boat trip on the lake, had an excellent dinner and now Philippe is smoking on the deck of the boat and Amélie is drawing. Philippe finds Zurich charming and it's already looking better to me. Montpensier doesn't arrive in Linz until 10 p.m. this evening. I saw Clothilde, but only for a moment because our train was so late. The boiler of our locomotive had burst after Meidlingau, which had stopped us for a long time. My heart and my thoughts are in Ebenthal with you, my dearest friend, and with my Baby, and I enjoy nothing, not having you with me. It is so sad to find myself back in this charming hotel where I was so happy with you and the four children two years ago. May God bless you and my Baby, and may he protect you both (...)". - August 10, 1865: "The Saint-Théodule pass is over, my dear friend, we're all safe and sound down there! But I wouldn't go over it again, no matter how magnificent it is. We left Zermatt this morning at 4 a.m. in magnificent weather, and rode for 3 hours over extremely steep slopes, very narrow paths and precipices far more frightful than those on the Grimsel. By 7 a.m. we were at the foot of the glacier. We had to make a climb on the ice, with the guides walking in front of us with their axes. I crossed this supported by two guides, then once on the ice, I took the sedan chair, installed Amélie on another and we were for two hours on an admirable glacier, attached by ropes, four by four surrounded by all the peaks of Switzerland walking between the Matterhorn and the Breuil. Unfortunately, before we reached the summit at 11,000 feet, we were overcome by fog and bitter cold. At the top, we had lunch in a hut in the middle of the fog, and at 12 ½ we met up with the Joinvilles here in a rather nice hotel. Tomorrow we leave for Châtillon. In the middle of the descent from the pass, in the steepest part and in pouring rain, we were stopped by Piedmontese customs officers who wanted to visit our safes at 10,000 feet. There was a general revolt, and I told them that such a thing would never have happened in Austria. Finally they agreed to escort us back to the hotel, where they opened our handbags. Yesterday in Zermatt I had a visit from Philippe Flandres, who sends his regards. Montpensier didn't come to the ball, being a little tired. He will join us at the Saint Bernard. All health is good. Philippe looks well and eats like an ogre. Adieu, mon cher ami, je t'aime et t'embrasse avec tout mon cœur ainsi que mon trésor. All yours"

Estim. 200 - 300 EUR