From Reverend Van Gogh to Theo

20 December 1878

Eight days ago we received a rather nice letter from Vincent; nice in so far as he seems to have found a good boarding house with farmers in Pâturages for thirty francs a month, the reason that it is not much being that he teaches the children in the evening. He was soon accepted with goodwill by many people, and working with these people seems to give him satisfaction. Furthermore, the Reverend Péron has promised him his cooperation. In the middle of January there will be another meeting of the committee of with Mr. Péron is the secretary, and he promised him that he would try to do something for him.

In the meantime, he spends his free moments drawing big maps of Palestine which can be used for talks and catechism, and with which he tries to make some money. I received one and ordered him to make four more copies for which I gave him ten francs each.