RUSSIA. Sophie-Dorothée de Wurtemberg, Grand Duchess of Russia, then Empress MARIE FEODOROVNA (1759-1828). L.A.S. "Marie", [St. Petersburg] August 8/15, 1778, to Baroness d'Oberkirch née Waldner, in Strasbourg; 2 pages small in-4, addressed with red wax seal of arms and postmarks (slight wetness); in French. She has not written to her friend for a long time: "during the whole summer I am continually by road and by way"... She sends back Mr. Kochlin's letter: "the Director of these sorts of things is a named Monsieur de Betzkoï who is Excellence Chevalier de St André and present Privy Councillor; but please let this man mix neither your name nor mine. The Grand Duc is very charmed that this young man has still decided to enter his Regiment, but even though he is a Major, he will only be able to enter as a Lieutenant, according to what I first wrote to you. She ends affectionately: "Adieu cher cœur je taime de tout mon cœur et de toutes les facultés de mon ame", but has to finish: "jai derriere moi un Altesse Impériale Mari qui me talonne"... She adds in postscript: "Que je vous plains detre a ce vilain Geratzenheym. The name alone makes me gag, and I wouldn't want to be in your place".