London 4 Juli 93
My dear Boy
Schandelijk, he! — that I didn[']t write to you. But I was awfully busy. Even just now. So I'll only answer your question ab[out] the salary of the Haarlemmer. They paid me f 960 a year at least during the last two years. First I began with f 600, then f 840, then f 960. — with costs, of course. Since I wrote them about you, I didn[']t hear a single word of them. Did they write to you? Perhaps, if the thing might suit you, you had better write to them.[1]
Just tell me whether you think there is any necessity for my going to the Taalkundig Congres at Arnhem? Do you think the Belgians would look at my stopping-away as a cowardness? — If so, or if they made up their mind to attack me, I am sure to go, and try to make good the costs by writing for De Gids. — But I had rather not. Do you and Vermeylen intend going? I dare say you won't.[2]
Many thanks for prompt sending of time-table book. I start from here via Ostend on the 21st, arrive at 6 in Brussels, and leave at 8.31 for Namur. Perhaps I might make an appointment with V[ermeylen] just to have a chat with him. But I should want to go and look up a florist in the meantime. Can you perhaps give me an address of a good one in Brussels, not too far from the Nord-Station? I believe I told you already that on Sunday the 23rd we are to celebrate our betrothal, privately. You might write to me to Laroche for the occasion, as my dear Bride will be very glad to read from my friends.[3]
I just finished an English article on "Ibsen as an artist".[4] A friend of mine went through it for the correction of the expressions in English. Devilish thing to write in a foreign tongue.
There you are. Just keep up your spirits. A business-like letter this. Haven't leisure for anything else.
[2]
Yours
Leo
Gauthierstr. 30
Molenbeek
Annotations
[1] Een sollicitatiebrief van De Bom aan de Oprechte Haarlemsche Courant voor Simons' baantje werd niet teruggevonden. Wel blijkt dat De Bom geregeld probeerde om artikeltjes kwijt te raken aan die krant. Zie brief 148, brief 190, brief 222 en brief 244. Zie ook brief 89, noot 10.
[2] Simons is waarschijnlijk niet naar het 22ste Nederlandsch Taal- en Letterkundig Congres in Arnhem geweest (29-31 aug.), vermits hij op 29 augustus vanuit Engeland een briefkaart schreef aan De Bom. Zie brief 203. Vermeylen ging wel naar Nederland, maar niet naar Arnhem. Ook De Bom ging eind augustus naar Nederland, maar waarschijnlijk evenmin naar het Congres in Arnhem. Zie brief 195, noot 4.
[3] Zie brief 178, noot 3. Simons vraagt De Bom ook herhaalde malen om gelukwensen te zenden aan Josine Mees ter gelegenheid van hun verloving. Zie ook brief 179 (6de alinea) en brief 186.
