| Description | A transcript of the letter can be found below.
HMS "Lively", Cannes
10 April 1881
My dear Sir Frederick
Very many thanks for the information you have given me about the pictures marked with a big big D at the Royal Academy. I have forwarded your letter to the Council of the Albert Hall for their guidance, marked confidential. Let me now also thank you sincerely for the very kind expressions in your letter to Col Colville after the terrible tragedy at St Petersburgh. The stunning effect of the blow and the sad and painful impressions whilst in that much changed and altered city scarcely leave one's mind free for all the work of every day life and it must be some time before so awful an event can have the horror [produced be softened] down. You will I hope understand that I shall under the circumstances not be able to partake of the hospitality of the Royal Academy this year at their banquet.
Believe me
Yours very truly
Alfred
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