"I've spoken to Breitner again, about those three compositions in progress [three studies by Breitner: 'Charge of the hussars', a 'Drunkard' and a 'Flower market' - Vincent wrote about in his last letter to Theo], It was indeed so that he had done them in a moment when he was out of sorts [Breitner was ill]. He told me that he regretted doing them like that, and showed me an altered composition of the drunkard and studies of low street women that were infinitely better. And I also saw some watercolors in the making and a painting of a farrier's that were done with a calmer and more correct hand and head. I read a book he lent me, 'Soeur Philomène' by [brothers] De Goncourt, who wrote Gavarni. The story is set in a hospital, very good. ([English translation, VanGoghletters online)"