Vincent van Gogh's Letters

Paris, January 1876

Dear Theo,

In the first box going to The Hague you will find a few parcels; will you be so kind as to send them on? First, there is one for yourself, which contains Felix Holt. When you have read it, please send it to Etten; and when they have finished it, please have them return it here, for it does not belong to me. It is a book that impressed me very much, and I am sure it will be the same with you. There is also a parcel for Mr. Tersteeg and one for his wife, and also one for Mauve and his wife. I wrote Mauve that someday he must ask you for that book on Michel; please show it to him when you have a chance. There is also a parcel for Father. Try to send it to Etten in time for his birthday; perhaps you might add Felix Holt, and you can read it after it has been to Etten – maybe that will be the best. In the little roll addressed to you are three etchings after Jules Dupré – one for Uncle Jan van Gogh with my kindest regards and one for Father. There is also a lithograph after Bodmer and an etching by Jacque for Father. Another lithograph, after Cabat, is for you. Cabat resembles Ruysdael. There are two beautiful pictures of his at the Luxembourg: one, a pond with trees around it in autumn at sunset; the other, a road along a waterside and a few large oak trees on a grey autumn evening. The etching after Jules Dupré is beautiful. It is from an album of six which includes Dupré's portrait. He has such a simple and noble face, it reminds me somehow of Mauve; but he is older, and perhaps in reality they do not look at all alike.
You are right to take English lessons; you will not be sorry. I should like to send you a Longfellow and Andersen's Fairy Tales; I shall try to get them. If I send them, read especially Longfellow's Evangeline, Miles Standish, King Robert of Sicily, etc.

And now it is again time to say good-by, with a firm handshake. Regards to Roos, and to anybody who asks about me, and believe me always
Your loving brother, Vincent

Also give my compliments to friend Borchers.