1. An allusion to Home and the homeless by Thomas Faed (see letter 292, n. 11).

2. For the first time in six months Sien is mentioned again (on this, see letter 253, n. 11). Now that Theo has started talking about his Marie, Vincent sees an excuse to mention Sien again.

3. A few drawings from this period with Sien’s daughter Maria Wilhelmina, then aged 5½ years, are known, including Girl with a shawl (F 1007 / JH 299), Girl in a pinafore (F 1685 / JH 300) and Girl with a shawl (F 1008 / JH 301). Whether Van Gogh is referring to one of these or to another drawing cannot be determined. The drawing meant must have been one of those in the roll with five heads sent by Vincent (letter 299).

4. Several drawings with Sien from this period are known; it is impossible to say which woman this is.

a. Means: ‘dat voor dit alles reeds is gezorgd’ (that all this has already been arranged).

b. Means: ‘uitgaven’ (expenses).

5. Van Gogh did several drawings of fishermen’s heads with the same type of sou’wester: F 1016 / JH 304; F 1017 / JH 302 ; F 1015 / JH 307; F 1012 / JH 308; F 1011 / JH 309 and F 1014 / JH 310. The particular drawing meant here cannot be identified.