My dear Countess, Alas, if I could only tell you that the news which has shocked you, that our dearly beloved Adolf perished on his sea trip, was not true! No, my dear Countess, God called away the dear, beloved, angelic son. Why did he have to leave us? That question we keep asking, and for all answer can only say, that for three years and more it had been his most ardent wish to devote himself to art; that in numberless letters he has said again and again, “If you want to see me once more happy, contented, and well, as I was ten years ago, then grant my request and let me go to America.” The prince could never make up his mind to grant his wish; only after he was fully persuaded that he would be miserable here, did he at last yield and grant him the desired permission. I feel that you, my dear Countess, will mourn for our dear son with us, and preserve an affectionate remembrance of him; for your letters to the dear departed have told me that you loved him from your heart. It would have been a great consolation to me if my beloved Adolf had been able to have you with him in his journey to that distant land—yet how terrible for you, if it had been so! Ah, I thank God for having made the last weeks of my dear child’s life happy through your friendship; he went away with such joyful anticipations—he believed that he should see his home and family again, and bring you to his home, dear Countess,—alas, it was not to be; we must lose him for this short hand-breadth of life which God still lets us live; but we shall find him again there, where is no more pain, no more disappointment, no more parting! I shall always be glad to hear that you are happy, and I assure you of my sincere sympathy as Your devoted Amalie Fürstin Sayn-Wittgenstein Schloss Wittgenstein, November 22, 1872 A few weeks later Prince Wilhelm wrote me again: Most honored Countess, At last I am able to send you, as I promised, the particulars regarding Adolf’s last days. Pardon me for any delay in doing so; I have been obliged to make the transcripts for all the absent brothers and sisters, and I have recently had to assist my father in many other matters. The princess was much rejoiced over your last letter of sympathy, and thanks you heartily for it. My late brother’s effects have not as yet come; things take a long time when transacted through the office of the Imperial Chancery. The steamer _Rhein_ was back from New York long ago, and on the 14th of the month sailed again for that port.