[Written in pencil]
My dear brother,
I hope that Gauguin will completely reassure you, and a bit
about the painting business too.
I expect to begin work again soon.
The charwoman and my friend Roulin had taken care of the
house, and have put everything in order.
When I come out I shall be able to take my little road here
again, and soon the fine weather will be coming and I shall
recommence on the orchards in bloom.
My dear brother, I am so terribly distressed at your
journey. I should have wished you had been spared that, for
after all no harm came to me, and there was no reason why you
should put yourself to that trouble.
I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have made peace,
and even more than that, with the Bongers.
Say that to André from me, and give him a very cordial
handshake from me.
What would I not have given for you to have seen Arles when
it was fine, as it is you have seen it in black [looking
dismal].
However, keep good heart, address letters direct to me at
Place Lamartine 2. I will send Gauguin's pictures that are
still at the house as soon as he wishes. We owe him the money
that he spent on the furniture.
A handshake, I must go back to hospital, but shall soon be
out for good.
Yours,
Vincent
Write a line to Mother too for me, so that no-one will be
worried.
Written on the back:
My dear friend Gauguin, I take the opportunity of my first
outing from the hospital to write you a couple of words of my
profound and sincere friendship.
Tell me - was my brother Theo's
trip necessary - my friend?
Now, at least, completely reassure everyone, and I pray you
yourself to have confidence that, all in all, nothing bad
exists in this best of worlds where everything is always for
the best.
Then, I would like you to give my kind regards to the good
Schoeffenecker [Schuffenecker], that you refrain until more mature reflection on
both our parts, from speaking ill of our poor little yellow
house, that you give my respects to the painters that I saw in
Paris.
I wish you prosperity in Paris, with a good
handshake,
Ever yours, Vincent
Roulin has been truly good to me, it is he who had had the
presence of mind to make me get out of there before the others
were convinced.
[Written in the margin] Please reply soon.
At this time, Vincent was 35 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 4 January 1889 in Arles. Translated by Robert Harrison, edited by Robert Harrison, number 566. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/19/566.htm.
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