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Letter from Reverend Salles to Theo van Gogh
Arles, 31 December 1888

Salles 1 to Theo

Eglise Réformée d'Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône),

9, Rue de la Rotonde, Arles.

31 December 1888

Monsieur,

I am going to give you news of your brother.

I wanted to warn you of what is going on with respect to your brother, something of which he himself seems to fully understand. I repeat, I found him talking calmly and not raving any more than anyone else. He is amazed, even indignant (which could be sufficient to start another attack) that they keep him shut up in this way, and that they completely deprive him of his liberty.He would like to leave the hospital and go back home. 'I think that I am quite capable of taking up my work again,' he told me. 'Why then are they keeping me here like a prisoner?'

He spoke to me of you and told me how much it astonished him that you had not written to him since you left. I promised him I would give you his news tonight. He would even have liked to send you a telegram to make you come here. I left him deeply saddened, and regretting that I was not able to bring any alleviation to his situation.

I am entirely at your service and pray you, Sir, to believe me, your very devoted in Christ. Salles.


At this time, Vincent was 35 year old
Source:
Reverend Salles. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 31 December 1888 in Arles. Translated by Robert Harrison, edited by Robert Harrison, number to.
URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/18/etc-Salles-1-Theo.htm.

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