Before leaving Eastbourne the Grand Duchess went incognita to Brighton, and paid a private visit to the Albion Home. “I only come as one woman to visit another” were the Princess Alice’s own words, when Mrs. Vicars begged her to be allowed to tell the poor Penitents who their visitor was.
The Grand Duchess was greatly impressed, after her visit to the Home, by Mrs. Vicars’ wonderful power and practical knowledge, and by her gentle, loving way toward those poor girls; and this in a great measure induced her, with the Grand Duke’s consent, to become Patroness of the Albion Home. At first, when asked by Mrs. Vicars to become the Patroness, she had refused to do so; but, having reconsidered the subject, she wrote to her the following letter from Darmstadt:
New Palace, Darmstadt.
Dear Mrs. Vicars:—I have returned from visiting the Home so convinced of your excellent management of it in every respect, that, if you still feel my becoming Patroness of the Home (and of the Ladies’ Association connected with it) can further the good and noble work, I am most willing to comply with your request. The spirit of true, loving, Christian sympathy in which the work was begun by you, and with which it is carried out; the cheerfulness you impart, the motherly solicitude you offer to those struggling to return to a better life, cannot fail to restore in a great measure that feeling of self-respect so necessary to those voluntarily seeking once more a virtuous life, and by so doing regaining the respect of their fellow-creatures. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” In this spirit may the Home, as well as the Association connected with it, continue its good work. My entire sympathy and good wishes will ever be with it.
Ever yours truly,
Alice.
After the Grand Duchess’ return to Darmstadt, she devoted herself with redoubled energy to all her charitable institutions; but, alas! she felt more and more that her bodily strength was no longer equal to her exertions.
In the autumn she had the happiness of seeing several of her family at Darmstadt, the last of them being her brother, Prince Leopold.
Darmstadt, January 26th.
Though I have no letter, and expect none at such a moment, still I must send you a few lines to tell you how constantly I think of you, and of my own beloved and adored country. The anxiety you must be going through, and the feelings you must experience, I share with my whole heart. * * *
God grant it may be possible to do the right thing, for it is late, and the complication is dreadful!