Hope Renewed: Princess Alyss Embraces Her Destiny - Part 4

Back in 2007, we collaborated with noted Alyssian historian Agnes MacKenzie to publish Princess Alyss of Wonderland, a stunning collection of letters, journal writings, and art from Her Royal Imaginer, Princess Alyss Heart. These breathtaking documents chronicled the incredible childhood of Wonderland’s exiled heir apparent and future hero of The Looking Glass Wars.

Part One spanned Alyss’ flight from Wonderland and how she survived her first days on the rough streets of London. In Part Two, Alyss recounts the horrors of the notorious Charing Cross Orphanage and her disappointment at being adopted by the unimaginative Liddells. Part Three follows Alyss' pain and indignation when she is betrayed by her good friend, Lewis Carroll.

When we last saw Alyss, she was slipping into despair over the gross falsehoods contained in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” She thought Lewis Carroll believed her when she told him about Wonderland, Redd, and Hatter. But he had just twisted her words and now she had to admit that “Alice” had won.

Yet Alyss wouldn’t be down for long. A surprising message from home soon arrived and helped remind Alyss of who she was meant to be…

(*As always, I am indebted to the tireless and exhaustive research of the eminent Wonderland historian Agnes MacKenzie. Her dedication has helped keep the true story of Queen Alyss alive!)

Diary Entry - October 19, 1865
Since the BETRAYAL, I have been in the darkest of moods, unable to smile or even enjoy a delicious toffee twist. Wanting to be alone and as far away as possible from any mention of “Alice,” I decided to walk to a meadow where I often go to think about Wonderland when a ray of brilliant, almost crystal, sunshine cut across the meadow and all of the flowers lifted their faces skyward and began to sing. It was the most wondrous sound I had ever heard. Unbelievable, perhaps, to anyone from this world but for me. I was immediately aware of the presence of Wonderland.

An illustration of red and purple singing flowers with Princess Alyss in the background, by artist Catia Chien, based on "The Looking Glass Wars" series by Frank Beddor.

Diary Entry - October 19, 1865 (continued)
I now realize that flowers are the link to Wonderland and that they are the purest receivers of Imagination. Everything and everyone else I have encountered has been rather lacking in spirit, form, and IMAGINATION compared to what exists in Wonderland. In this world, animals are treated as if they have no mind of their own and respond by being inarticulate while in Wonderland so-called animals hold public office and play instruments. And the buildings here are so SQUARE and SOLID. Who could bear to live in a box all of their life? Boxes are for transporting items, not a place to live, laugh and dream! My mind continued to race as I recalled the creatures and streets and shops of Wonderland. I became so dizzy with color and space and Imagination that I immediately began painting and by teatime had covered every inch of my bedroom walls with art.

Diary Entry - October 27, 1865
I was in my room today when suddenly and very clearly I heard Bibwit Harte’s voice call out to me, “Princess! You must check your pockets!” What could it possibly mean? Thinking hard all day I went to each of my pinafores and coats and dutifully checked every pocket. Nothing but one stale peppermint twist which I immediately ate. Hmmm? It was very puzzling. And then I knew! My birthday gown from Wonderland! I went to where it was stored in the closet trunk and pulled it out. I checked every pocket. NOTHING!!!

But wait…

Letter from Princess Alyss to Royal Tutor Bibwit Harte
Most Honorable and Learned Bibwit Harte,

Of course, it would be you, the knower of all of Wonderland's secrets past, present, and future, who would find a way to contact me. Unfortunately, I possess no such knowledge so I am forced to use the British Post. Dear, dear Bibwit Harte you have no idea how thrilled I was to hear your voice and receive your message. But it wasn’t until I remembered the secret pocket sewn inside the right wristband of my Birthday gown for keeping treasures that must never be lost that I made my discovery. I unbuttoned the tiny pocket and immediately felt the cool, clear roundness of the Imagination Sphere! I remembered how you would leave the sphere on my pillow whenever you wished to summon me for Imagination Training. Now that I have found the sphere I will begin training immediately. Expect updates.

Your most promising student,

HRI Alyss

An illustration of Princess Alyss and Royal Tutor Bibwit Harte floating over Wonderland in a translucent blue bubble by artist Catia Chien, based on "The Looking Glass Wars" series by Frank Beddor.

Diary Entry - November 22, 1865
After training all day with the Imagination Sphere, I fell asleep and immediately began to dream of traveling with Bibwit over Wonderland in an enormous illuminated bubble. As we floated to all seven corners of the land, Bibwit told me the Secret of Finding Your Imagination. I have tried to record them exactly as he told me because I am certain this information is vital for everyone.

The Secrets of Finding Your Imagination

What you see behind you is as important as what you see in front.

Do cartwheels twice a day while humming your favorite song.

Laugh very loud if you cannot remember something.

Walk backward if you are in a hurry.

Never hurry to something unpleasant.

Eat something delicious before bed.

Look out the window immediately upon waking and say hello to the twin suns.

Bid the Thurmite moon goodnight before sleeping.

Remember to dream.

Dream to remember.

Tickle your imagination when stuck.

Agnes MacKenzie
Dear reader, you see before you one of the most valuable documents ever given to our world. It is with the utmost sincerity that I encourage each and every one of you to practice the secrets revealed here and be prepared to experience an imagination that has no bounds.

Letter from Princess Alyss to Royal Tutor Bibwit Harte
Most Honorable and Learned Bibwit Harte,

I have been faithfully training with the Imagination Sphere three times a day and am very happy to inform you that my Imagination is becoming very powerful. The skies are bluer and the sun brighter and people smile much more now. When I see with my Imagination I see things that are hidden and I am able to assist others with their searches. For instance, Lorina lost her favorite doll and by simply imagining where she could possibly have left it I was immediately able to find it. And most importantly, I breathe in the air and imagine that it fills me so much that I can float above the trees and see all the best puddles. I will continue training each day and hopefully will find the puddle that will return me to Wonderland in time for my next birthday. I have also learned many new ways of imagining that are useful here in this world. Painting and drawing are very much like imagining in Wonderland, only here I use a brush with colored paints or a piece of lead to make what I need to see or feel or remember. My imaginings must stay on the page here in this world but they feel no less real to me than what I once imagined in Wonderland.

Your forever grateful pupil,

HRI Alyss

Diary Entry - January 1, 1866
When mother ordered Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan to take me away from Wonderland I begged her to let me stay. Her last words to me were “No matter what happens, I will always be near you, sweetheart. On the other side of the looking glass. And never forget who you are, do you understand?” Since arriving in this world I have spent much of my life staring into looking glasses and hoping to see my mother but it wasn't until my powers of Imagination began to increase that I finally understood what she had meant. I must first IMAGINE that I see her. Trembling and nervous, I approached the looking glass and imagined my mother smiling back at me, within moments a message appeared!

An illustration of Queen Genevieve and Princess Alyss holding hands with a green background by artist Catia Chien, based on "The Looking Glass Wars" series by Frank Beddor.

Aces, Spades, Diamonds and Hearts

Lost their princess off the charts

Your Majesty's subjects await your return

So the light of imagination can continue to burn.

Someday, sweet daughter, you'll find your way home,

Hurtling out of this mundane realm,

Even though I cannot tell you how far,

A way can be found if you remember who you are,

Regal destiny is yours to win

Take Heart and always remember to….Imagine.

Agnes MacKenzie
Fascinating! What Alyss describes is an advanced form of 'mirror scrying' or receiving messages from other realms by images that form in your mirror. Known to every culture, 'magic mirrors' were used throughout history to enable one to see the present, the past, and the future. But the mind boggles at the concept of having a personal message written in such a lyrical manner suddenly appear in a looking glass. Some may question the authenticity of the message, but if not Queen Genevieve, who else would have sent this message of hope to a long-lost daughter? I wonder what messages await me in my own looking glass should my Imagination ever grow strong enough to see them.

A letter written by Princess Alyss to her mother, Queen Genevieve, on pink and yellow paper featuring a red heart and white flower, produced for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

Diary Entry - Undated
Today upon waking I realized that I no longer cared about Lewis Carroll's book or what others believe to be true and that all that matters is what I believe. As soon as this thought flashed through my mind I felt incredibly confident and decided to go puddle hunting. Towards late afternoon, I saw IT, shimmering in the center of Queen's Lane, a puddle where no puddle should be! I am certain that, this is the puddle that will take me home to Wonderland. I will always remember my mother’s words: “You will be the strongest Queen yet. Your Imagination will be the crowning achievement of the Land.”

Go back and read Parts One, Two, and Three of Alyss' Letters to discover how the Princess of Wonderland adjusted to her rude awakening on Earth.

Lewis Carroll, Traitor to a Princess: Princess Alyss' Never-Before-Seen Letters - Part 3

When we last left Princess Alyss she was in trouble again, having been caught trying to break into Buckingham Palace to rescue her mother from Queen Victoria. As Alyss’ angry foster father took her back to Oxford, Alyss doubted if she would ever return to Wonderland.

But hope was not dead. It returned in the form of a shy teacher who would change Alyss’ life forever…

(*As always, I am indebted to the tireless and exhaustive research of the eminent Wonderland historian Agnes MacKenzie. Her dedication has helped keep the true story of Queen Alyss alive!)

Diary Entry - April 1, 1862

I mark the date April 1, 1862, with a white stone, for it is when I first met Mr. Charles Dodgson! (In Wonderland it is custom to always mark days of great imagination with a white stone.) His name was a blur of sound until I heard 'Dodg-son' and I thought of my best friend Dodge. I looked up and saw the kindest face I had seen since leaving Wonderland, Charles Dodgson. I liked him immediately, but it wasn't until Lorina introduced me very grandly as Princess Alyss Heart (mocking me, of course) that I knew he was to be my best friend in this world, for the man bowed quite seriously, took my hand and whispered, “Delighted to make your acquaintance, Princess Alyss Heart.”

Sepia-toned photograph of Lewis Carroll, the author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," by Oscar Gustave Rejlander in 1863.

Diary Entry - April 10, 1872

Today, Mr. Dodgson invited Lorina, Edith, and I to his studio for our first photographic portrait. What we all enjoyed most about the portrait setting was being able to try on the costumes that Mr. Dodgson had collected. I told him that I had not seen such imaginative costumes since I had left Wonderland. He became very interested and said he would like to hear more about this land called Wonderland.

Agnes MacKenzie

Charles Dodgson's aptitude in the nascent art of photography made him a popular portraitist of children for Oxford's better families. Choosing their costumes for the various portraits was always left to the girls and might I suggest that the photograph of Alyss in the white dress appears to be her tribute to her time spent with Quigley and the others as a street urchin.

Black-and-white photograph of six-year-old Alice Liddell, the purported inspiration for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," taken by Lewis Carroll in 1858.

A letter written by Charles Dodgson to Princess Alyss on pale blue parchment with a "C.D.S." monogram, for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

The front of a pale blue envelope addressed to "Princess Alyss Heart" with a stamp in the top right corner, produced for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

Diary Entry - July 2, 1862

I closed my eyes so I could see back to Wonderland and began to remember. I wanted to tell him about the Inventor's Parade and the giant mushrooms that were as tall as ten of London's greatest trees set end to end and the caterpillars who knew everything but only told you what they knew you needed to know but instead, the words that came out were the story of my last day in Wonderland and the Cat and Redd entering the palace and her ear-shattering cries of “Off with their heads!!! At this point, I opened my eyes and saw poor Mr. Dodgson absolutely pale with fright. He asked, “What my dear is so wonderful about Wonderland???” I smiled and told him there was much, much more to tell…

Watercolor painting with ink by artist Catia Chen depicting Lewis Carroll and Princess Alyss on the bank of the River Thames with the specter of Queen Redd looming over them. Based on the novel "The Looking Glass Wars" by Frank Beddor.

Agnes MacKenzie

I cannot help but be moved by the beauty of the friendship shared by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson and Alyss Heart. As devastating a betrayal as the eventual outcome may have been, for a period of time, two kindred spirits found each other in the same world and proceeded to have a riotous good time. Charles Dodgson was a young mathematics don at Christ Church when he first met the daughters of Dean Liddell, and, as history has voluminously recorded, he was particularly in awe of the daughter supposedly named 'Alice.'

A recipe for Tarty Tarts, a desert pastry created by Frank Beddor in "The Looking Glass Wars" novel series.

Diary Entry - July 30, 1862

I believe Mr. Dodgson is finally coming to understand what is so wonderful about Wonderland. We seem to talk about nothing else, though it is easy for both of us to get off the subject whenever the topic of sweets comes up.

Letter from Princess Alyss to Charles Dodgson - 1862

Dear Mr. Dodgson,

You must remember to write about the Inventor's Parades that are held in Wonderland to honor the imaginations of Wonderland's most inventive inventors. All of Wonderland gathers to watch the parade while the Queen decides what is ready to be sent on as inspiration to other worlds. The Queen’s Trampoline was invented as a gift for my mother so she could jump high enough to reach her favorite cloud. I have drawn some of my favorite inventions which all had to do with travel and I was hoping that maybe you could pass these on to whoever is in charge of London's traveling conveyances. Perhaps if they were more imaginative with regard to this vital service I would be home by now.

Your Friend,
Princess Alyss Heart

Various sketches of magical contraptions by artist Catia Chen for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland," a part of Frank Beddor's "Looking Glass Wars" universe. — Princess Alyss' sketches of Wonderland inventions, including (from left to right) the dragonfly windjumper, crystal miner, furry parashooter, Queen's Trampoline, jollyjellywings, marching drums, lampshade roller coaster, and umbrella pogo.

A pink Valentine's Day card from Charles Dodgson to Princess Alyss Heart, produced for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

Agnes MacKenzie

On the back of the valentine from Charles Dodgson, Alyss had written the cryptic message, “This is the day that I began REMEMBERING…” And thus began her own literary effort to assist Lewis Carroll in saving herself and Wonderland. It is sad to think that a venture begun with such high spirits and hope would in less than 2 years meet a wrenching conclusion!

In November of 1864, Charles Dodgson proudly and dare I venture, a bit shyly, presented 'Miss Alice Liddell' with his handwritten manuscript of ALICE'S ADVENTURES UNDERGROUND. This historic manuscript contained 37 illustrations drawn by the versatile and prolific Mr. Dodgson. As you shall soon discover, Alyss's reaction was not quite what the poor man had anticipated!

A page from the novel "Alice's Adventures Underground" with a Lewis Carroll illustration of an upside-down Alice, featuring notes written by Princess Alyss Heart, produced for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

Diary Entry - November 27, 1864

And at long last, the promised book was delivered. What can I say?

HE GOT IT ALL WRONG!!!!

He even spelled my name wrong! What makes me want to scream, “Off with his head AND both arms!” is the fact that he actually seems to believe HE told ME this nonsensical children's story when the truth is (and he knows it!) that I told him.

Letter from Princess Alyss to Charles Dodgson after reading his manuscript - 1864

To the Very Cruel Mr. Dodgson,

How could you betray me with this pack of lies? If I were not so furious with you I would certainly be sobbing at the loss of what I believed to be my one true friend in this grey world. Be warned, for the sake of Wonderland and everyone I love, I cannot allow this book of lies to go unchallenged. And who is this 'Lewis Carroll' that you are now calling yourself? Are you ashamed to put your own name on this book? I should hope so! As if a royal princess would ever travel through a rabbit hole! Thanks to your efforts my reality has now become this world's fantasy.

Your Un-Friend,
Princess Alyss Heart

P.S.
Now you shall never be invited to Heart Palace for tarty tarts! And no, strawberry jam tastes NOTHING like the oh-so-delicious squigberry jam. Your loss!

Agnes MacKenzie

The first published edition of “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” appeared early in July 1865 and featured illustrator John Tenniel's iconic artwork. Alyss now had to adjust to the fact that the betrayal was no longer an unpublished manuscript but an actual book that would soon find its' way into the hands and hearts of the literate public.

Diary Entry - August 17, 1865

Oh that horrid ALICE! Now she has stolen my life forever!!!!! I must do something to stop this disaster. Lewis Carroll is not the only one who can hold a pen.

Letter from Princess Alyss to Alexander MacMillan, Co-Founder of MacMillan Publishers, publisher of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - 1865

To the Attention of Mr. Alexander MacMillan,

HALT!!! In the name of Imagination and Truth, I am sending this decree to inform you of a dire betrayal by the author masquerading as Lewis Carroll. The book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is nothing but a pack of lies! It is imperative that this book be labeled UTTER FICTION and the true story be told so that those searching for me can find me and return me to Wonderland to rule as Queen.

Her Royal Imaginer, Princess Alyss Heart

Illustration by artist Catia Chen of a depressed Princess Alyss Heart sitting on a bed in a small room, produced for the book "Princess Alyss of Wonderland".

Agnes MacKenzie

Despite Alyss' attempt to halt the publication of “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” the book continued to spread from country to country and would soon be found in the hands of both children and adults around the world. The fantasy of this world was threatening to overcome the reality of Wonderland and Alyss was feeling the pressure.

Diary Entry - September 22, 1865

Since the publication of THAT BOOK, I have been pushed into an actual rabbit hole, chased by a pack of boys wearing fake rabbit ears shouting, “I'm late! I'm late!” and taunted by the local bully girl (a redhead, of course!) who stands outside our gate and screams, “Off with Alice's head!” whenever I show my face. Complete strangers approach me and express disappointment that my “beautiful blonde hair” has turned such a “dull brunette”! Dull??? When everyone insists on saying up is down, it is very difficult to continue pointing out that they are wrong. It seems that “Alice” has won after all…

*Stay tuned for Part Four, in which Alyss starts the journey of recovering her imagination with the help of an old friend...

The Unimaginative Liddells: Princess Alyss' Never-Before-Seen Letters - Part 2

Back in 2007, we collaborated with noted Alyssian historian Agnes MacKenzie to publish Princess Alyss of Wonderland, a stunning collection of letters, journal writings, and art from Her Royal Imaginer Princess Alyss Heart. These breathtaking documents chronicled the incredible childhood of Wonderland’s exiled heir apparent and future hero of The Looking Glass Wars.

In April, we released the first round of never-before-seen letters, journal entries, and art from Princess Alyss Heart’s exile on Earth. Part One spanned Alyss’ flight from Wonderland and how she survived her first days on the rough streets of London.

When we last left Princess Alyss she had just been arrested by the London bobbies and sent to the notorious Charing Cross Orphanage. In Part Two, Alyss recounts the horrors of this ignominious institute, her disappointment at being adopted by the unimaginative Liddells, and why she tried to break into Buckingham Palace.

(*As always, I am indebted to the tireless and exhaustive research of the eminent Wonderland historian Agnes MacKenzie. Her dedication has helped keep the true story of Queen Alyss alive!)

A photograph from around 1909 of the London & South-Western Railway Orphanage, Woking.

Agnes MacKenzie
Worlds collide in this document dated May 24, 1859, when a man of science, Dr. Williford, the physician at London's Charing Cross Foundling Hospital unknowingly examined a princess from another realm. Written in his precise script, the intake form lists Alyss' height, weight, and hair color, and contains notes on her attitude and dress. Special attention was paid to the unusual fabric of her dress, “finer than any silk and yet so strong as to repel all stains and misc. damage with the exception of one vicious gash”. Alyss is described as having luminous coloring, a willful, imperious attitude, and an intense aversion to felines. When asked where her family is she insisted they are in a place called “Wonderland”. The doctor's keen eye noted the unusual qualities of the child, but his mind could not open to the concept of 'Wonderland'. Dr. Williford comments that if her oddness can be contained the wardens have high hopes for placing her in a family of good standing because “the child obviously has quite exceptional bloodlines”. Indeed.

An intake form from the Charing Cross Foundling Hospital containing the notes of a physical examination of a seven-year-old Princess Alyss Heart of Wonderland.

October 2, 1861
When I was delivered to the orphanage I erupted into a terrible screaming temper tantrum. How dare they???? This place was certainly not meant for children, it must be a prison for something exceptionally evil and nasty. But I was wrong, children were everywhere and the only things evil and nasty living here were the ward mistresses with their stiff collars and drab skirts weighed down with bundles of heavy keys to lock the doors that kept us all from running away. I loathed it there so much that I looked forward to escaping into my dreams each night but even this became unbearable because my dreams soon had a very unwelcome visitor.

The Cat! Each night it would sneak into my sleep and invade my dreams with its growls and hisses and hot, stinky cat breath! It had the stinkiest breath I have ever smelled in a dream!

An illustration, done in the style of a child's drawing, of a giant dark cat attacking a room of sleeping children by artist Catia Chien.

October 8, 1861
Dreams are only nightmares if you let them do what they wish. One night I decided that rather than being frightened of what was chasing me, I would imagine that I was running towards something beautiful. There were endless doors lining the halls and I imagined I would find my mother if I opened the very last door. But when the door opened, instead of seeing her I saw all her favorite flowers. And I could smell her favorite perfume. Eau de'Pink. It smells very PINK and I love it.

A letter written from Princess Alyss Heart to her mother Queen Genevieve on pale pink paper and decorated with red hearts in each corner.

A pale pink envelope addressed to Queen Genevieve of Wonderland decorated with a crude rendition of the Royal Suit Family seal and stamped with "Return to Sender".

November 10, 1861
I was adopted by a very dull and unimaginative family named Liddell and brought to live in their home in Christ Church, Oxford. Living in a home was very different from living in a palace and I found it difficult to adjust as I believe ANY Princess would. Everything was so small and smelled rather of burned vegetables while my bedchamber was just ridiculous. The bed didn't even float! How could I even begin to get a perfect night's sleep???? The Liddells did not believe in Wonderland or that a real princess could come to their world and even though I repeatedly corrected them, they insisted on changing my name to Alice. HOW RUDE!!!!!

An 1859 photograph by Lewis Carroll of Alice Liddell (right) with her older sister Lorina (middle) and younger sister Edith (left).

Agnes MacKenzie
Uncertain of their adopted daughter's bloodlines and wishing to make a suitable marriage (a prince perhaps???) Henry and Lorina Liddell chose to keep her origin top secret by destroying all records of the adoption, even going so far as to forge an 'Alice Liddell' birth certificate which modern genealogical forensics easily exposed to be false! The child was simply not born in this world.

A replica of a Victorian era birth certificate containing details about the birth and parentage of 'Alice Liddell'.

November 11, 1861
In Wonderland I had always remembered my dreams. Why was I unable to remember my dreams now? Aha! I wasn't sleeping in a dreamgown! When I inquired of Mrs. Liddell when I would be fitted for my dreamgown, she looked alarmed. I explained that in Wonderland there were special gowns in which you slept to capture your dreams. The dreams would be reflected on the gown so you wouldn't forget anything important. I had closets full of dreamgowns in Wonderland but requested only ONE for here. I thought I was being quite modest but Mrs. Liddell opened her mouth very wide and shouted at me “You must STOP your incessant impossible imagining. You dream too much as it is ALICE!” Dream too much??? How sad to think that anyone could ever dream TOO MUCH. I spent the rest of the day locked in my dark little dungeon of a bedroom imagining and drawing dreamgowns….

An illustration, done in the style of a child's drawing, featuring depictions of the Liddell family, Princess Alyss, and Governess Pricks by artist Catia Chien. — From left to right: Proper sister Lorina - A grown-up lady in the body of a little girl; Cruel Governess Pricks - She actually prefers sour to sweet!; Mr. and Mrs. Liddell - Equally gloomy on all occasions; Me - If it weren’t for my hollizalea headdress and mini-rainbow I should fear becoming just like them!; Baby Edith - There may still be hope for her.

February 22, 1862
Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Liddell brought Lorina and I to London to visit the exhibition at the Crystal Palace. The palace reminded me very much of Heart Palace and I felt all sorts of sad and glad memories about Wonderland. It also made me remember something VITAL! When I first arrived in London I shot out of that puddle into the center of a parade and saw a golden carriage. There was a woman in the carriage waving to the crowd. It was a Queen! Had mother traveled here to meet me? I had run after the carriage and chased it all the way to a palace but a row of soldiers blocked my entrance. I told them I was Princess Alyss Heart and ordered them to allow me to pass. At this, they began to laugh. Vowing to return to this palace called Buck-ing-ham I ran back in search of the puddle that had brought me here. I had forgotten all of this until the Liddells brought me on this visit to London. And suddenly I knew what had happened! Mother had followed me to London but had been kidnapped and imprisoned by Redd at the palace known as Buck-ing-ham!!!!! It all made perfect sense and it was up to me to rescue my mother.

February 23, 1862
Enough was enough! How could I pretend to live the childish life of Alice Liddell in her nursery eating porridge when I was certain that Redd had imprisoned my mother in the palace called Buck-ing-ham? This had to be the reason for everything horrible that had happened. Redd had wished to be queen but Wonderland already had a queen, my mother. Redd must have come to London through the Pool of Tears and become the queen known as Victoria! Being the Queen of London was not anywhere as grand as being the Queen of Wonderland and Redd was jealous of my mother so she kidnapped her and locked her in Buck-ing-ham Palace!!! I was positive that my mother was there now waiting for me to rescue her.

A Victorian-era photograph of the facade and front gate of Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom.

February 27, 1862
My preparations complete, I set forth on my mission to rescue my mother from Queen 'Victoria' (ha!). I noticed that whenever I thought of seeing my mother my imagination would suddenly become very strong. I would picture my mother and I in the garden at Heart Palace and I would suddenly be filled with all sorts of imaginings on how to get to London and how I would find a pair of jollyjelly wings and sail over the wall past those snickering guards. I had my train tickets, maps, and a packet of peppermints should I become weak from hunger and need energy. I was so excited I could have flown to London. I did consider collecting and pasting bird feathers to my arms and setting off from the roof of the Liddell's house but I could not find enough feathers.

March 10, 1862
Disaster! Unable to locate a pair of jollyjelly wings I decided to dig my way in under the palace fence. The passage under the fence was a tight fit and horror of horrors I became stuck! I felt a tug on my feet and was soon face to face with the redcoated guards laughing harder than ever. I was imprisoned and given only a very small amount of tea and cake until Mr. Liddell could come and fetch me back to Oxford. Oh, the dreadfulness of my mood. And the worst was yet to come. Governess Pricks was waiting at the front door when we pulled up in the carriage. Her words felt like a storm of pinches as she scolded me for being a selfish, ridiculous child. But as she continued on and on with ever more insults I could only hear my own small voice repeating over and over “How shall I ever return home now?”

An illustration, done in the style of a child's drawing, featuring Princess Alyss being scolded by Governess Pricks by artist Catia Chien.

Agnes MacKenzie
Not long after this ill-fated excursion to London, Alyss was to meet someone who would lift her spirits and give her hope (if only to later smash it to pieces!)

*Stay tuned for Part Three, in which Alyss meets the Oxford mathematician who would change her life forever - Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll).