(original Dutch: citaat van Hendrik Willem Mesdag's brief, in het Nederlands:) .. heeft mij geschreven dat U beiden het ermee eens bent deze twee schilderijen [van Mesdag die hij had gemaakt in 1868-69] niet tentoon te stellen.; zij waren nog niet volledig genoeg voor mijn reputatie in Brussel. Daarom zal ik dit jaar niet in Brussel exposeren, want ik zeg u oprecht dat ik op dit moment nog niet beter kan.. .Ik heb zeer weinig plezier gehad van mijn tentoongestelde schilderijen in Den Haag; zij zijn zeer slecht geplaatst, zodat men ze bijna niet ziet maar wat kan men eraan doen? Lijden en zwijgen.

Those two [ Alma Tadema and Roelofs, teaching both Mesdag in Brussels, 1867-69] instructed in exactly the opposite way, you know. For example, Roelofs used to say: you must put more color in that drawing [often meant: watercolor]. And you didn't always saw it yourself in a moment, because you were not yet that far and as high as the master himself was. But Tadema did something completely different; he had more the manners of a professor, who gave his lectures. So Roelofs and he actually complemented each other. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

Dear Brother-in-Law - Sister. We are ailing again rather well through the winter, always busy and working. It is a pity that the opportunity for [making] new studies has not yet come, it is always a nice variation. Now it is every time again sea and pinks, etc. [subjects in his paintings]. - For Paris I am very busy - To Vienna a painting will be send.. .A second large painting has gone to Brussels - A [xxxx?] will offer drawings of us [drawings of him and his wife] and , at this moment they are crossing the Great Water, with destination to New York where they will be exhibited - we hope with success - Two beautiful paintings has enriched our collection again, one of Dupre and one of Rousseau. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)