1. This had to do with Vincent’s birthday on 30 March. In fact it was not Theo but Mr van Gogh who had given Vincent the money. Mrs van Gogh wrote to Theo: ‘Pa sent him something to do with as he liked, and added that 1 guilder was from you for cuff links to go with his watch chain, and we said that he really must buy them on Theo’s behalf’ (FR b2694, 26 March 1874).

2. Ariëtte Sophia Jeanette (Jet) Carbentus, a cousin of Vincent and Theo, was engaged to Anton Mauve. They were to be married on 26 November.

3. For the book by Bürger, see letter 15, n. 11.

4. It is not known which paintings this refers to.