1. This remark and what follows relate to Van Gogh’s rejection by Kee Vos and to the estrangement between him and Mauve and Tersteeg. These subjects had evidently been discussed during Theo's visit.

2. The passages ‘even ... I’ (‘zelfs ... alleen ik’) and ‘from contact ... family’ (‘van omgang ... familie’) were added later by Van Gogh.

3. After ‘work’ Van Gogh crossed out the following incomplete thoughts: ‘I shall not seek relations with people, whoever they are, except for a very few. Am I wrong in that? I know too well’ (‘Relaties met menschen/ wie dan ook/ zal ik niet zoeken als de heel enkele_ Heb ik daarin ongelijk – ik ken te goed’).

4. Cf. Matt. 26:39-42.

5. ‘Thy will be done’ from The Lord’s Prayer; see also Matt. 26:42, Matt. 6:10 and Luke 11:2.