Letter 581a Arles, Sunday 26 March 1889
[Letter written by Signac to Theo]
Dear Mr. Van Gogh,
I found your brother in perfect health, physically and mentally. Yesterday afternoon and again this morning we went for a walk together. He took me along to see his pictures, many of which are very good, and all of which are very curious.
His courteous doctor, the house physician Rey, is of the opinion that, if he should lead a very methodical life, eating and drinking normally and at regular hours, there would be every chance that the terrible crises would not repeat themselves at all.
He is quite willing to keep him all the time that would be necessary. He thinks that all the expenses of his stay in the hospital will have to be defrayed by the municipality, because it was at the administration’s demand that he was kept in the asylum.
At any rate, if he does not go back to Paris, which in Mr. Rey’s opinion would be preferable, it would be necessary for him to move to another house, as his neighbours are hostile to him. This is also what your brother desires, for at the earliest possible date he wants to leave this asylum, where after all he must necessarily suffer under the continual surveillance, which often has to be of a petty nature.
Summarizing, I emphatically assure you that I found him in a condition of perfect health and sanity. There is only one thing he wishes �to be able to work in tranquillity. So do your best to grant him this happiness.
How dismal the life he is living must be for him.
I shake your hand cordially, dear Mr. Van Gogh.
P. Signac Letters to be called for at Cassis.