The Hague.
Dear Theo,
I was glad you answered me so soon and that you like Brussels and have found a nice boarding-house. Don't lose heart if it is very difficult at times, everything will come out all right and nobody can in the beginning do as he wishes.
How I pity Uncle Hein, I heartily hope he will recover, but, Theo, I fear he will not. Last summer he was still full of enthusiasm and had so many plans and told me that business was flourishing. It's very sad. Last Sunday I was at Uncle Cor's and spent a very pleasant day there as you can imagine, and saw so many beautiful things. As you know, Uncle has just come back from Paris and brought some beautiful pictures and drawings with him. I remained in Amsterdam till Monday morning and went to see the museums again. Do you know that they are going to build a large new museum in Amsterdam, instead of the Trippenhuis? I think it is right, for the Trippenhuis is small and many pictures are hung so that they can hardly be seen.
How I should have liked to see that picture by Cluysenaer, I have only seen a few pictures of his and those I liked very much. Tell me if that other picture is by “Alfred” Stevens, or else what the first name is. I know the photograph after the Rotta and have even seen the picture at the Exhibition in Brussels. Be sure to let me know what pictures you see, I am always glad to know. The album of which you gave me the title is not the one I meant, which is only lithographs after Corot. But I thank you for the trouble you have taken. I hope to get a letter from sister Anna soon, she is rather laggard about writing of late. Do surprise her with a letter, that would be such a pleasure to her. I suppose you are very busy, but that is not bad. It is cold here and they are skating already. I walk as much as I can. I wonder if you will have any chance to skate. Enclosed you will find my photograph, but if you write home don't mention it, as you know it is for father's birthday. I have already sent you my congratulations upon that day. My best compliments to Uncle and Aunt, also to Mr. Schmidt and Eduard. Always
Your loving brother, Vincent.
Kind regards from everybody at Haanebeek's, Aunt Fie and Roos.
Saturday
Tuesday
January ?, 1873
My dear Theo,
I heard from home that you arrived safe and sound at Brussels and that your first impression was good.
I know so well how strange you must feel in the beginning, but don't lose courage, you'll get on all right.
You must soon write me how you are getting along and how you like your boardinghouse. I hope it will be satisfactory. Father wrote me that you are on good terms with Mr. Schmidt; that is right - I think he is a good fellow from whom you can learn a great deal.
What happy days we spent together at Christmas! I think of them so often. You will also remember them a long time, as they were the last days you spent at home. Don't forget to tell me what pictures you see and which you like best.
I am very busy just now at the beginning of the year.
My New Year began well; they have granted me an increase of ten guilders (I therefore earn fifty guilders per month), and they have given me a bonus of fifty guilders as a present. Isn't that splendid? I hope to be able to shift for myself now.
I am very happy that you work in the same firm. It is such a splendid house; the more one works there, the more ambition it gives you.
The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.
Will you ask Schmidt what the price of the Album Corot, lithographs by Émile Vernier is? Somebody asked for it at the store, and I know they have it in Brussels. Next time I write, I'll send you my picture, which I had taken last Sunday. Have you already been to the Palace Ducal? Don't fail to go there when you have a chance.
Well, boy, keep your courage up. All the friends send you their compliments and good wishes. Give my regards to Schmidt and Eduard and write to me soon. Adieu.
Your loving brother, Vincent.
You know my address is,
Lange Beestenmarkt, 32
Or Goupil & Co., Plaats
I heard from home that you arrived safe and sound at Brussels and that your first impression was good.
I know so well how strange you must feel in the beginning, but don't lose courage, you'll get on all right.
You must soon write me how you are getting along and how you like your boardinghouse. I hope it will be satisfactory. Father wrote me that you are on good terms with Mr. Schmidt; that is right - I think he is a good fellow from whom you can learn a great deal.
What happy days we spent together at Christmas! I think of them so often. You will also remember them a long time, as they were the last days you spent at home. Don't forget to tell me what pictures you see and which you like best.
I am very busy just now at the beginning of the year.
My New Year began well; they have granted me an increase of ten guilders (I therefore earn fifty guilders per month), and they have given me a bonus of fifty guilders as a present. Isn't that splendid? I hope to be able to shift for myself now.
I am very happy that you work in the same firm. It is such a splendid house; the more one works there, the more ambition it gives you.
The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.
Will you ask Schmidt what the price of the Album Corot, lithographs by Émile Vernier is? Somebody asked for it at the store, and I know they have it in Brussels. Next time I write, I'll send you my picture, which I had taken last Sunday. Have you already been to the Palace Ducal? Don't fail to go there when you have a chance.
Well, boy, keep your courage up. All the friends send you their compliments and good wishes. Give my regards to Schmidt and Eduard and write to me soon. Adieu.
Your loving brother, Vincent.
You know my address is,
Lange Beestenmarkt, 32
Or Goupil & Co., Plaats
December 13, 1872
The Hague.
Dear Theo,
What good news I've just read in Father's letter. I wish you luck with all my heart. I'm sure you will like it there, it's such a fine firm. It will be quite a change for you.
I am so glad that both of us are now to be in the same profession and in the same firm. We must be sure to write to each other regularly.
I hope that I'll see you before you leave, we still have a lot to talk about. I believe that Brussels is a very pleasant city, but it's bound to feel strange for you in the beginning. Write to me soon in any case. Well, goodbye for now, this is just a brief note dashed off in haste, but I had to tell you how delighted I am at the news. Best wishes, and believe me, always.
Your loving brother, Vincent.
I don't envy you having to walk to Oisterwijk every day in this awful weather. Regards from the Roos family.
Dear Theo,
What good news I've just read in Father's letter. I wish you luck with all my heart. I'm sure you will like it there, it's such a fine firm. It will be quite a change for you.
I am so glad that both of us are now to be in the same profession and in the same firm. We must be sure to write to each other regularly.
I hope that I'll see you before you leave, we still have a lot to talk about. I believe that Brussels is a very pleasant city, but it's bound to feel strange for you in the beginning. Write to me soon in any case. Well, goodbye for now, this is just a brief note dashed off in haste, but I had to tell you how delighted I am at the news. Best wishes, and believe me, always.
Your loving brother, Vincent.
I don't envy you having to walk to Oisterwijk every day in this awful weather. Regards from the Roos family.
Thursday
August 18, 1872
The Hague.
Dear Theo,
Many thanks for your letter, I was glad to hear you arrived home safely. I missed you the first few days and it felt strange not to find you there when I came home in the afternoons.
We have had some enjoyable days together, and managed to take a few walks and see one or two sights between the pots of rain.
What dreadful weather! You must have sweltered in the heat on your walks to Oisterwijk. There was harness racing yesterday at the exhibitions; but the illuminations and the fireworks were put off because of bad weather, so it's just as well you didn't stay to see them. Regards from Haanebeck and Roos families.
Always your lovng Vincent.
Dear Theo,
Many thanks for your letter, I was glad to hear you arrived home safely. I missed you the first few days and it felt strange not to find you there when I came home in the afternoons.
We have had some enjoyable days together, and managed to take a few walks and see one or two sights between the pots of rain.
What dreadful weather! You must have sweltered in the heat on your walks to Oisterwijk. There was harness racing yesterday at the exhibitions; but the illuminations and the fireworks were put off because of bad weather, so it's just as well you didn't stay to see them. Regards from Haanebeck and Roos families.
Always your lovng Vincent.
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