C/o Jones Esq., Holme Court

Dear Theo,

Your letter and the prints were a delightful surprise; they came this morning while I was busy weeding the potatoes in the garden. Many thanks; both the engravings, “Christus Consolator” and “Remunerator,” are hanging over the desk in my little room. God is righteous, and He will lead all who err onto the right path; you were thinking of that when you wrote, “May this happen, I am erring in many ways, but I don't despair. Do not be unhappy about your “luxurious” life, as you call it; go quietly on your way. You are more simple-hearted than I am, and probably you will reach your goal quicker and to a greater extent.

Don't delude yourself about the liberty I have; I am bound in different ways, some even humiliating, and these will become still worse in time; but the words engraved above the image of Christus Consolator, “He has come to proclaim liberty to the captives” are true to this day.

Now I must ask you something. While in The Hague I had lessons from a Bible teacher, Hille, who then lived in the Bagijnestraat. He took great pains over me. Though I didn't show it, what he told me made an impression on me, and I should like to send him a word and, if possible, do him some small favour. Go and visit him if you have a moment and if you can find his address, and tell him that I have become a schoolmaster and am looking out for some other situation in connection with the church. He is a very simple man who, I think, has had many struggles in life; involuntarily I sometimes thought when looking at him: the end of that man will be peace.

And give him the enclosed little drawing from me.

How I should like to have a glimpse of Mauve's place; I can see distinctly what you described seeing that evening you were there.

Write again soon, best wishes, believe me always,

Your loving brother, Vincent

Give my kind regards to Mr. Tersteeg and his wife and Betsy, and the Roos family, and to other friends if you see them. But do not speak about me. As you see, I landed in that other school after all; enclosed you will find two prospectuses. If you can recommend the school to anybody who wants to send his boy to England, please do.