On the 31st of July the Prussians under General von Göben entered Darmstadt. Prince Louis’ parents, who were the only relations remaining in Darmstadt, were daily with the Princess. On the 8th of August, whilst on her way home from visiting her parents-in-law, the Princess unexpectedly met the Prince in the street. He had obtained leave of absence during a short armistice. The joy of this meeting can easily be pictured! The Prince and Princess together visited the wounded; and on the 10th of August the Prince was appointed by the Grand Duke to the command of the Hessian division then in the field. By the Grand Duke’s wish the Prince went for two days to Berlin, and then joined the troops in Rhenish Hesse. He took up his quarters in the “_Gelbe Haus_” at Nierstein-Oppenheim, and the Princess courageously shared them with him--in spite of the cholera then raging there. On the 12th of September--Prince Louis’ birthday--the little Princess was christened at Darmstadt by the military chaplain; she received the names Irène (Peace) Louise Marie Anna. The same day peace was ratified at Berlin--that peace for which the brave mother of the child had so ardently longed.
The Cavalry Brigade which the Prince had commanded stood sponsor to the child.
It was only on the 20th of September that the Prince and Princess with the Hessian division made their public entry into Darmstadt.
I am at the head of a committee of ladies out of the different classes of society to make a large bazaar, in which all the country is to take part, for the Idiot Asylum. It is very difficult--all the more as I have never had any thing to do with such things in my life. * * * I wanted for the first public thing I undertake, to take in all principles, and my mother-in-law has given her name to it. I have chosen the committee out of different sets--half _adelig_ [people of rank] half _bürgerlich_ [of the citizen class], and all these ladies, half of whom I did not know before, come and sit in my small room and discuss--and, as yet, do not disagree.
* * * The people here are so much pleased that my Louis takes such active part in all his duties--military and civil, for he attends the different offices, and as General, I hear, he keeps great order where there was until now disorder and great abuse of power. Of course, I see him much less, and some days scarcely at all.