My dear Theo,
I am writing a little note again to tell you that I was at
the gentleman whom the Arab Jew in Tartarin calls “le
Zouge de paix.” Anyway, I got back 12 francs, and my landlord was
reprimanded for having kept my trunk, since I did not refuse to pay, he had no
right to keep it from me. If he had won his case, it would have been harmful to me, for he would not
have failed to tell everyone that I could not or did not want to pay,
and that he had been obliged to keep my trunk. Whereas now -
for I left at the same time as he did - he said in the street
that he had been angry, but that he had not meant to
insult me.
I think myself that this was probably just what he was
trying to do, and seeing that I had had enough of his dump and
that he could not force me to stay, he would have tried to
blacken my reputation here. Very good. If I had wanted to
get what is probably the fair reduction, I ought to have
claimed more, for example for damages. If I let myself be had
by the first comer here, you can imagine that soon I should not
know where to turn.
I have found a better restaurant where I
can eat for 1 franc.
Just now I have two new studies like these: you already
have a drawing like of one of them, of a farm by the high road among cornfields.
A meadow full of very yellow buttercups, a ditch with
iris plants with green leaves and purple flowers, the town in the
background, a few gray willows - a strip of blue sky.
If they don't mow the meadow I'd like to do this study
again, for the subject was very beautiful, and I had some
trouble finding the composition. A little town surrounded by
fields completely blooming with yellow and purple flowers; you know,
it is a beautiful Japanese dream.
I asked the cost of carriage for the consignment I sent
by goods train, it will be 7 francs to the
station in Paris. Seeing that I haven't much left, I did not pay in
advance here, but if they ask more you must protest; the case
is marked VV&W. 1042.
Yesterday and today we have the mistral again. I hope that
my shipment will arrive before Tersteeg comes to
Paris.
With a handshake, write me soon.
Ever yours, Vincent
At this time, Vincent was 35 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 12 May 1888 in Arles. Translated by Robert Harrison, edited by Robert Harrison, number 487. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/18/487.htm.
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