Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence How It Started 110 Years Ago 50 Selected Letters Between Rizal and Blumentritt

Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence How it Started 110 Years ago 50 Selected Letters between Rizal and Blumentritt

1. Rizal, Heidelberg, 31 July 1886 Rizal compliments Blumentritt with a copy of Rufino Baltazar Hernández, Aritmética, written in Tagalog and Spanish. 11 Obere Neckar Strasse

Heidelberg, 31 July 1886 Esteemed Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt

Esteemed Sir,

Having heard that Your Lordship is studying our language and that you have already published some works on the subject, I take

the liberty of sending you a valuable book(1) written in that language by a countryman of mine. The Spanish version is mediocre because the author is only a modest writer, but the Tagalog portion is good and this is precisely the language spoken in our province.

I am Very respectfully yours,

J. Rizal

2. Rizal, Leipzig, 16 August 1886

Gift of two books from Blumentritt - At his service in regard to Tagalog- His knowledge can be of use to him as much as the grammars of the friars - He could send Blumen- tritt works of more value than those published by Spanish travelers - "He who does not know his own language. . . ."

40, II, Albertstrasse Leipzig, 16 August 1886

Very esteemed Sir,

I received your letter together with the two books that I value very much. I read them with great pleasure and satisfaction. I appreciate your kindness and I shall not forget your courtesy in accepting my insignificant gift.

V could not answer you at once because I made a trip on the Rhine and I arrived at Leipzig only yesterday. I am at your service for everything concerning our language which I have studied since my early youth. My knowledge of it is not great but at least it may be useful to you as much as the grammars written by those ignorant friars. I could send you other works if I were at home. The friars do not know either foreign writers or those of their own nationality. One page alone of those books is worth more than all the Spanish travelers and the friars have written or will still write. He who does not know well his mother tongue will know much less others that he has not studied carefully. Their knowledge of Tagalog is like my knowledge of German. The traveling chroniclers remain only a short time in the Philippines and they spend this brief time among Spaniards. The majority of the friars never studied grammar and they talk only with uneducated Filipinos. For this reason these writers know as much Tagalog as I did of German six months after my arrival in Germany, and I don't dare write poetry or deliver sermons in German. For that same reason I hope you will pardon the errors of my "kitchen German ".

Pardon the delay of my reply.

Yours very cordially, Jose Rizal

3. Rizal, Leipzig, 22 August l886 Tagalog vocabulary by Blumentritt - Rizal wants to meet Kern - And to buy books in Vienna - He will study Dutch "because the Dutch have written much about us" - The friars.- Worldly and heavenly riches - "For our

estates they would give us heavenly ones." - If Blumentritt could study life in our villages - Christianity is more grand and sublime in Europe. Catholicism is more beautiful than Protestantism. Leipzig, 22 August 1886 My dear Sir,

I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter as well as your new work(1) and I regret that I have nothing at hand to send you in return. I hope that this new work would be like all those that you have written with diligence, attention, care, and ability. I have already read your two vocabularies and I am astonished that you have taken so much trouble in studying a language like Tagalog which is so difliicult. You cannot be blamed for the little errors in them, for many times the people themselves commit them, as well as my learned and talented friend Dr. T. P. de Tavera(2) who has excelled himself in his exposition and has given me a pleasant surprise. I will lend you his works for a week, because I myself need them very greatly. Perhaps my annotations may be of some use to you.

I like to read your book at once so that I am in a hurry to finish this letter. Pardon the many errors due to the haste with which I am writing it.

By telling me about universities and professors you have awakened my eagerness. I should like to follow all that you advise me to do. I should like to meet Dr. Kerns in Leyden. I should like to go to Vienna and buy me a whole library; but I must have patience because I have neither time nor opportunity for it. I do not know Professor Gabelentz. Now we are on vacation and I cannot stay a long time at Leipzig. I will study Dutch also, because the Dutch are our neighbors and they have written much about us.

I agree with your method of learning languages. Tomorrow I am going to look for the works of Waitz-Gerland at the municipal library. If I am able to translate them, I will do so and I am going to send you a transcription so that you may see it and correct it. I am also engaged in other studies at this moment.

If I don't get sick during these months, I will surely go to Dresden, though for nothing more than shaking the and of a man as worthy and gentlemanly as you are. I will leave about September or October for that city. I am planning to get to Berlin towards the end of October and stay there for two or three months. Naturally I will then visit Professors Virchow and Jagor, if I can get from you letters of recommendation to them.

I will not forget your admonition concerning religion. I admit that the friars have done much good, or at least they wanted to do so. But allow me to remark that they are very well recompensed for their services, firstly, because they receive worldly riches and afterwards heavenly ones also; and because in truth they exchanged heavenly riches for the lands of our forefathers, however much earthly life . . . may not be exactly Christian life and nevertheless we have to live like other men.

Dear Sir: You know our country through the books written by the friars and Spaniards who copied one another. If you had grown up in our villages as I had and had seen the sufferings of our country folk, you would have a very different idea of Catholicism in the Philippines. I have had an opportunity to study the religions in Europe. There I found Christianity beautiful, sublime, divine; Catholicism attractive, poetic, the same Christianity, poetized and beautified, more beautiful than the insipid Protestantism. Our country folk do not know these differences.

Pardon my frankness which may perhaps seem to you strange for not having heard such a thing before. Perhaps you remember Lessing's fable about the boy and the serpent. Each one writes his history according to his convenience. Very sincerely yours,

José Rizal

4. Rizal, Leipzig, 2 October l886 Tagalog version of Schiller's drama - Works of Meyer in Bibliotheca Philippina - "Everything referring to my native country interests me greatly." - On the Igorrotes of Dr. Hans Meyer - In order to learn the secret of German verbs - "To sit once at your table is enough honor for me." Leipzig, 2 October 1886 My dear Sir,

I beg you to pardon me for not having answered on time your letter, which for me is as kind as all the rest; but I was and am still very busy with an urgent work which my compatriots have entrusted to me. They have asked me for Tagalog versions of the works of Schiller. You can easily imagine how difficult this kind of work is for me, especially knowing as you do the peculiarities of our language whose mode of speech is so different from the German. I have to understand and study first each phrase and then look for the corresponding Tagalog expression, avoiding carefully circumlocutions and Germanisms. However, I am consoled by the thought that I shall have the honor of interpreting the great Schiller in Tagalog to the Filipinos.

I hope likewise to be able to go to Dresden towards the end of the present month. Dr. A. B. Meier(1), privy councilor, has excited my curiosity very much with his works which you mention in your Bibliotheca Philippina. Everything referring to my native country interests me greatly. Recently, the amiable Dr. Hans Meier complimented me with a copy of his book dealing with the Igorots. We also spoke about you.

I should like to stay one more year in Germany (also in Austria) because my German is still defective and I have not yet understood the secret of the difficult German verbs. Those that end with the syllables ver, er, an, be, etc. are used frequently and they seem to me very strange. So I believe I shall spend fourteen days of next spring in Leitmeritz. According to the map, the p ace seems to be near the mountains, which gladdens me, for thus I can also study Bohemian life there. I thank you in advance for your invitation and I should like to return your kind hospitality some day in the Philippines. In case I spend there the coming year, I cannot accept your kind offer of lodging in your house. It is enough honor for me to sit once at your table to have a remembrance of your culinary art. For that reason: claro y bzlena letra; no abusar. I did not know that you were married. Had I known it, long ago I would have sent my respectful greetings to your distinguished wife. But Mas vale tarde que nunca, a Spanish proverb says, and now I wish to mend my fault by requesting you to please transmit to her my respects and very affectionate greetings.

My letter will resemble the table of the poor: The entrée and the dessert are composed of potatoes. I beg you also to excuse my terrible German, for during this whole month I have not opened a grammar.

May you fare well. I will write you as soon as I have some important subject to treat. In the meantime, I am

Very respectfully yours,

José Rizal

5. Rizal, Berlin, 4 November l886 Visit to the Anthropological and Ethnographic Museum of Dresden - Dr.

Meyer was affable towards Rizal.

Jaegerstrasse 71. III

Berlin, 4 November 1886 Very esteemed Professor,

On the 30th of last month I had the honor of visiting Dr. A. B. Meyer at the Anthropological and Ethnographic Museum of Dresden. He is an amiable gentleman and he had the thoughtfulness of requesting me to return the next day to show me the museum in view of the fact that on that day he was busy with a colleague who was leaving for New Guinea the following day and needed some information for the trip. I thank you because this courtesy is due to your letter of recommendation. The museum seemed to me very important and I am sorry I did not have more time to study it.

I am now in Berlin where I plan to spend winter. My room is on Jaegerstrasse 71, III. Here I am always at your service, and though I can render you only services without importance, I will always do all I can to please you.

I greet respectfully the worthy lady of Blumentritt, and I am

Your very affectionate and faithful servant,

Rizal

6. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 14 November l886 Old books on the Philippines at the Royal Library of Ber- lin - The works of Morga and Combes - Isabelo de los Reyes. Leitmeritz, Bohemia

14 November 1886 Very esteemed Sir,

I wished very much to answer at once your letter of 4th instant, but I have had to give up this pleasure on account of the pile of official matters that have accumulated and for having to take care of my eyes at night. I'm glad to know that you are well and have called on the Privy Cnuncilor Meyer in Dresden. He must be very busy now because he has not written me since the 25th of last month.

You will like Berlin; it is a city that offers an infinity of things to a man avid for pleasure as well as to the scholar. The ethnngraphic museum, so admirably installed by Bastian, must have aroused your respect. In the Royal Library (not in the University Library) there is found a large number of old books about the Philippines that the German poet A. von Chamisso (born French) bought in Manila and brought to Germany 60 years ago. Among them is a copy oE Morga[1], which is very rare, and one Combes[2]. Have you already called on Virchow and Jagor?

Your Ilocano countryman, my dear and esteemed friend I. de los Reyes, is working incessantly. I'm pleased with his very valuable ethnographic works. It is a pity that he has not studied ethnography which would make his studies even more brilliant.

Vith my next letter I shall send you my photograph. For the lack of punctuality of my photographer, my intention to send it to you today was frustrated.

I'm very sorry that I have to abstain from visiting the Philippine Exposition in Madrid, 1887.

Nothing more for now; I greet you in the name of my wife and in my own, with greetings and a handclasp,

Yours very affectionately,

F. Blumentritt

7. Rizal, Berlin, 22 November l886 Waitz, Anthropology of Primitive Peoples - Unity of the human race - Translation of Schiller's and Andersen's stories sent to his nephew. - I will make use of the Royal Library for the study of the history of my native country - Chamisso's work and his adventure with a friar = "We are like two blind and deaf men: We converse without seeing or hearing each other." - An exhibition of Igorots at the Zoological Garden in Madrid.

Jaegerstrasse 71, Berlin

22 November 1886 Very esteemed Professor,

I received your letter a week ago, but I could not answer you at once while the Royal Library has not informed me if it has the work of Waitz-Gerland and Wallace. Finally it gave me today Waitz' Anthropology of Primitive Peoples and I hasten to ask you if this is the book I need. It deals only with the unity of the human race, if I am not mistaken. The names of Gerland and Wallace are not mentioned in it. I asked also for the work at the municipal library of Leipzig, but I was told that it cdid not have any, so that I could not translate the famous chapter. Please give me the exact title so that I can begin soon the translation.

I already sent home the tragedies of Schiller and Andersen's stories for my nephew. I want also to do something for science and the history of my native country. I can do that very well at the Royal Library. I knew already the work that Chamisso brought from the Philippines. I read his poems, his account of his trip, and his adventure with a friar, the only rude man he saw in the Philippines. I agree with the poet and you, esteemed Professor, will soon have the same opinion.

I will look for the books as soon as I have the titles. Here there is no catalogue for the public, but it is enormously cheap to be able to use a library for 25 pfennigs.

I cannot visit Messrs. Jagor and Virchow because neither do I know them nor do I have anything to give or say to them. So I would not wish to bother them.

I thank you in advance for your photograph. I have no picture of myself now and I am so timid that I don't dare have myself photographed; but I will think about it. I'mm waiting for your picture. Now we are like two blind and deaf men. We converse without seeing or hearing each other; this is the mutum, caecumque sermo.[1]

Don't mind the Philippine Exposition in Madrid. According to the newspapers and the information I have, it will not be a Philippine Exposition but an Exhibition of Igorots, who will play their musical instruments, cook, sing, and dance. But I pity this poor people. They will be exhibited in the Zoological Garden of Madrid and with their simple original apparel they will catch a dreadful pneumonia. This sickness is very frequent in Madrid and even the Madrid people catch it in spite of their covering.

Greetings to you and your lady. I need not reiterate that I am always at your service.

Most affectionately,

Rizal

8. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 23 November 1886 Schiller and Andersen - Malays and Malayan languages - Jagor and Virchow.

Leitmeritz, 23 November 1886

My esteemed Sir,

As you see, I answer at once your esteemed letter of yesterday. I'm glad that you have made known to your countrymen Andersen and our great Schiller. The former's tales will please Filipino youth as they do our own.

It is true that I refer to the Anthropologie der Naturvölker, specially to volume V that deals with the Malays. Equally interesting to those who study Malayan languages is the work of William Humboldt on the Kawi language. On the map in Waitz-Gerland there are some errors with respect to the Philippines that you can correct according to Peterman's Geog. Mittheilungen, supplementray pamphlet No. 67 (1882) and volume 19 of the Berliner Zeitschrift für Erdkunde (l884). The text on Mindanao is also very poor, because at that time little was known of the said island in Europe.

I'm sorry that you don't intend to visit Jagor and Virchow. Those gentlemen would have received you very well because they are very good friends of the Philippines and her inhabitants. In case you change your plan, I would announce with pleasure your visit to those gentlemen. They can help you in your studies in many respects.

Privy Councilor Meyer is sorry that he was very busy with other things at the time of your visit in Dresden. He hopes to see you later.

With affectionate regards.

Yours most affectionately, F. Blumentritt

9. Rizal, Berlin, 28 November 1886 Rizal's translation of the Ethnography of Mindanao - Rizal's map - Remembrances of the Ateneo - "Those where happy days..." - Rizal will publish a geography textbook - As an explanatory work on the Malayans - Foreigners pay more attention to the study of the Philippines than the Filipinos themselves - Blumentritt's writings in Spanish - Tiruraylanguage - He will translate Waitz - Humboldt's work is admirable - Rizal will visit the scholars Virchow and Jagor - An ethnographic picture. Jaegerstrasse 71, Berlin

28 November 1886 My dear Sir,

Ms soon as I received your esteemed letter I went to the Royal Library to borrow the books you mentioned.[1] I received them the following day, but they did not give to the maid who went to get them the explanatory pamphlets, but only volume No. 28. As I was not feeling well then, I let it go. I started to work and translated your important article on the Ethnography of the Island of Mindanao. Enclosed you will find this little work which I finished in three days. It must have errors, but I could not do better for I have to return the book tomorrow. I have spent this day correcting my map of Mindanao, basing it on yours; mine is already too old; it is 1852.

Your conscientious work gave me much pleasure; it awakened in me old memories of good friends: The one who drew the map of Heras was my childhood friend and fellow boarder at the Jesuit college. His name was Anson, and when he drew the map by order of Fr. Heras, our friend and chief, he complained that the work was very tiresome. Fr. Pastells was my best friend; he was the most distinguished and the best traveled among the Jesuit missionaries. He was also very zealous. I sketched his picture by memory but Fr. Francisco Sánchez took it away from me. You say nothing about Fr. Federico Vila. He was a linguist; he also spoke German, French, English, Greek, Latin, etc. Speaking of Latin, I must confess to you having incurred in a great lapsus linguae et calami[2] in my last letter - I wrote a fabulous accusative instead of the plural genitive. May God forgive me like my professor Fr. Francisco Sánchez. I still remember the hardships of Fr. Torra when he entrusted to me the first page for the Cartas de los PP. etc. Those were happy days. But for the present enough of memories and let us return to your esteemed work.[3]

I have translated it in order to use some of your important data in a little school geography that I am planning to publish should I have an opportunity to do so. Moreover, it seems to me important that the Filipinos should know that foreigners take more interest in the study of their country then they themselves do. I also believe that it will be a good explanatory work (Appendix) on the Malayans. Several of your works have already been translated into Spanish. It is to be desired that they be published together in one volume and that this volume be translated into Spanish. The number of Filipinos who speak German is very small and they are mostly merchants. I compared your map with mine (Coello) and I found still more differences than those you mentioned in your interesting article; e.g. I did not find in yours the great lake of Mindanao.

About the Tiruray[4] language, yesterday I made a little outline which you will find at the end of the book. I believe that that language is easy to learn. Possibly I may some day study it at some length.

My translation in some parts is a little free, but I have endeavored always to translate the meaning when I cannot translate literally. You will find it mediocre for the reason that I don't yet have a good command of German. I believe that you are very busy and so I beg you to read my manuscript only when you have extra time. My purpose os solely to publish it in the Philippines and for that there is plenty of time. Tomorrow I will begin translating Waitz[5]. I still have three weeks; I expect to finish it within this time.

Humboldts' work[6] is worthy of admiration, and though I cannot read the whole book, I'm going to buy a copy. I believe that the little errors that I found in it are only typographical, as for example, n for m, and some rules that Mr. Esguerra has not understood well.

If you believe that it will not be troublesome for Messrs. Virchow and Jagor that I pay them to call, I thank you very sincerely for your good intention of introducing me to them. I leave it to your discretion. You know the gentlemen better than I do and you know their mind. I do like to meet them; their fame has reached even the Philippines, but I avoid making calls at which I have nothing to say or to talk about; that seems to me something like wandering aimlessy. At any rate I leave the matter to your good judgment. I am convinced that you will resolve it best.

In the first page of the work of Waitz I find the following note: "The right of translation into foreign languages is reserved." How can we go over this notice of the author?

I was already expecting to receive your photograph with your letter last letter. Mine will follow or I will ask the photographer to take my ethnographic picture, or I will sketch it myself before a mirror, but it will be faithful and I will not flatter myself.

May you fare well, dear professor. From tomorrow on I will devote myself earnestly to the study of history. I greet you affectionately. Yours,

Rizal P.S. Do you know that Miss Paz Pardo de Tavera[7] will be married on 7 December? the fiancé is my compatriot and friend J. Luna whom you already know like you do Mr. Hidalgo.

10. Rizal, Berlin, 9 December 1886 Rizal praised for his geography work - Blumentritt's picture in his album - In order to find it among his pleasant memories - The

hero's auto-portrait - Rizal with young Moret will pay a call on Professors Jagor and Virchow. Jaegerstrasse 71, Berlin

9 December 1886 Msteemed Friend,

Pardon me for not having answered at once your welcome letter which I receivcd together with your photograph, because I was sick then, but it did me much good to hear how you talk about me and of my modest work.

I have placed your photograph, which I value highly, among those of my relatives an friends in my album of Filipinos. The inclusion of your photograph in this album would have no value for you, but for me it is of utmost importance, because, if I want to refresh my pleasant memories, I will always find you among them. I hope that Spain will also honor with honorary citizenship distinguished foreigners who studied her history.

Enclosed is a sketch of myself that I am sending you as an advance. It is said that it has a certain resemblance to me but I am not sure if it really has. As soon as I have a good photograph, I will send it to you. Those that I have are all retouched or badly taken.

Referring to my visit with Professors Jagor and Virchow, I have changed my mind. The son of Minister Moret, a semifriend of mine, is here and has recommendations of T. H. Pardo de Tavera to both professors. As Mr. Moret does not yet know German, he wants me to accompany him when he pays his calls. A recommendation from you, or an announcement of our visit by you, I believe would be of great help to me.

I cannot work as much as I would like. I am suffering from pains in the chest and by the symptoms that I have, I fear that I am liable to have a serious ailment. When I was still a small boy, the physician of the Ateneo Municipal said that I had incipient tuberculosis.

I'm waiting for a countryman of mine[1] to keep me company so that I will not be so lonely. Your very affectionate friend,

José Rizal

NOTE OF BLUMENTRITT'S SON

Attached to this letter is a drawing in pencil of Dr. Rizal, a self-portrait with his signature and below the following dedication:

"To my distinguished friend Mr. Fernando Blumentritt as a token of affection." José Rizal With this letter is a photographic copy of it, as I am keeping the original in the family in memory of Rizal and of my father. (Signed) FEDERICO BLUMENTRlTT Budweis, October 1920

12. Rizal, Berlin, 30 December 1886 Sinapism and sudorific against torticollis - Meaning of race, nation, tribe, clan, caste - Viola wants to meet Blumentritt - A gift of a cigar-box - Seeing still strong old men like the emperor, Moltke, and Bismarck, Rizal longed to see his father reach advanced age also.

Berlin, 30 December 1886 Very esteemed Friend,

I answer today your welcome letter and I thank you for your kind remarks. I hope you are cured of your rheumatic pains. As a boy I suffered from torticollis, a rheumatism of the muscle, which I fought with sinapism and by taking some sudorific.

I looked up the word raza in my Dominguez dictionary and I believe its meaning is not "tribe". The races are the Caucasian, Mongolian, Malayan, and the black. We also give this name to a people of more than half a million souls that you call "nations", but we don't call "nations" peoples that are not independent; e.g. the Tagalog race, the Visayan, etc. But we say "Spanish nation" instead of "Spanish race". Tribe is less than race; it is part of race. For example, the Jewish race, but the tribes are Levi, Judah, etc. The word "clan" is already accepted in Spanish, but only in its primitive meaning, that is to say, the union of several Scotch families. "Caste" is more of a political than ethnographic term and from this point of view I give no importance to it. "Tribe" is the name the Spaniards give to small populations which have neither a government of their own nor great importance and they give this name as if alluding to the trunk of a tree from which branches come out. Thus, the tribes of Judah, Levi, Dan, have a certain reference to father Jacob. I don't find any synonym for the word "tribe".

I am a little excited for having taken too much arsenic and I am saturated with it. Perhaps another day I shall be better inspired, but arsenic is very good for my ailment.

My countryman[1] wishes to accompany me to Leitmeritz because he wants to meet you personally. It is possible that we leave this place the first of April, passing through Dresden, Leitmeritz, Prague and Vienna in order to go on to Switzerland.

I sent you by mail a little gift - a cigar-box. Don't smile when you receive it. I give it to you sincerely and with the best intention; only it is very insignificant.

I m glad that your father has reached 74 years. I should like mine, who is now 68, reach also that age. Whenever I see old men, like the emperpr, Moltke, Bismarck, I believe that my father will also reach that advanced age because he is healthier and stronger than I and he comes from a long-lived family.

My best wishes for the New Year for you and your whole family. Your most affectionate friend,

Rizal

14. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 24 January 1887 "Smoking is my passion" - A hnok by Pardo de Tavera. POSTAL CARD

Leitmeritz, 24 January, 1887 Mr. José Rizal 71-III Jaegerstrasse Berlin

My esteemed Friend,

I have not had any news from you for more than a week. I hope you have not been sick like me. Only today did I get up from my sick-bed. I had a severe catarrh, and I suffered from hoarseness. That ailment was terrible for me because it prevented me from smoking, which is my passion. Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera has published a charming little book which interests me greatly: El Sánscrito en la lengua tagalog,Paris, Imprimerie A. Davy, 1887. Very interesting.

With affectionate regards.

Yours affectionately,

F. Blumentritt

18. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 16 February 1887 Two works of Montano on the Philippines - A

military expedition to Mindanao. Leitmeritz, 16 February 1887 Esteemed Friend,

I have recovered slightly from the strong catarrh that has bothered me for two weeks, but I'm still as pale as the dead and I feel very weak. In short, Im a ruin, half-blind, and with weak nerves. Moreover, I'm very susceptible to colds. I wait most anxiously for summer, which is the only season during which I really feel well. Unfortunately our summer is very short.

I'm glad that you find the issues of Globus interesting. Montano has written two great works on the Philippines, one of which contains many linguistic data relating to Tagalog, Bikol, etc.; the vocabularies above all are interesting. There are many errors in his descriptions and travels; many errors in his illustrations have already been pointed out by Mr. Isabelo de los Reyes[1] in La Oceania Española.

From the grand military expedition undertaken by the Most Excellent Terrero against Datu Utó of Mindanao I expect not only the success of Spanish arms and the Christian religion but also the enrichment of our geographical knowledge because the interior of Mindanao can almost be called terra incognita. I hope that Spanish victory will liberate the Tirurays from the danger of falling into slavery by the Moros.

They say there had been disorders in Sulu[2] - perhaps by the juramentados - whose new sultan will render homage to the Captain General in Manila in October.

Yesterday I received from the author V. V. Haardt his magnificent and large ethnographic wall map of Asia, which is very well done.

With affectionate Greetings. Very affectionately yours,

F. Blumentritt

18. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 16 February 1887 Two works of Montano on the Philippines - A

military expedition to Mindanao. Leitmeritz, 16 February 1887 Esteemed Friend,

I have recovered slightly from the strong

catarrh that has bothered me for two weeks, but I'm still as pale as the dead and I feel very weak. In short, Im a ruin, half-blind, and with weak nerves. Moreover, I'm very susceptible to colds. I wait most anxiously for summer, which is the only season during which I really feel well. Unfortunately our summer is very short.

They say there had been disorders in Sulu[2] - perhaps by the juramentados - whose new sultan will render homage to the Captain General in Manila in October.

Yesterday I received from the author V. V. Haardt his magnificent and large ethnographic wall map of Asia, which is very well done.

With affectionate Greetings. Very affectionately yours,

F. Blumentritt

20. Rizal, Berlin, 9 March 1887 Rizal in search of a climate favorable to his health - He does not know where to go - In his

blood is the wanderungslust (strong desire for wandering) of the Malayans.

Berlin, 9 March 1887 Esteemed Friend,

I have not received letters from you for a long time. I hope you are not sick, for the cold season is over and good weather is approaching.

I have read your articles in the Globus. They are very interesting and I should like to translate them. I'll soon leave Berlin because I don't feel well here. Since my arrival I have been sick several times, which never happened to me before. I don't know yet where I'll go. I have in my blood the wanderungslust of the Malayans. I always have it. Humor and opportunity for this!

Last Saturday we heard a magnificient lecture on Mecca[1] at the Geographic Society. It was accompanied with interesting photographs in which I could distinguish many Malalayan pilgrims. The second lecture was somewhat boring, perhaps because the first had been so interesting, or because the members had already seen the photographs, or because it was already quite late.

I wish you the best of health in the world, in Bohemia, in your native land! Your most affectionate friend,

Rizal

24. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 27 March 1887 He congratulates him on his novel - The word filibustero - A prophecy of Blumentritt about Rizal - About the word Bathalà.

Leitmeritz, 27 March 1887 Esteemed Friend,

Now that my wife and children are well or on the road to convalescence, I can write you more lengthily. In the first place, accept my cordial felicitations on your beautiful social novel which interests me extraordinarily. Your work, as we Germans say, has been written with the blood of the heart and for this reason it speaks also to the heart. I continue reading it with great interest and I shall ask you from time to time for an explanation of words that are unknown to me. Thus, for example, the word filibustero. It must have a certain meaning in the Philippines that I don't find in the Spanish of the Spaniards or in that of the Spaniards of America.

I knew already that you were a man of extraordinary talent (Pardo de Tavera had a ready told me about it and this could also be seen by the marvellously short time that you learned my difficult and coarse mother tongue), but this notwithstanding, your work has exceeded my expectations and I consider myself lucky that you have honored me with your friendship. But not only I but your people also can be called lucky for having in you a son and loval patriot. If you will continue thus, you can become for your people one of those great men who will exert a definite - influence on their spiritual development. With greater impatience than before, I await the moment when I shall meet you personally. What you related to me about the officer of the civil guard has filled me with intimate sympathy, but such great brutalities are neither unknown in Berlin.

Tomorrow you will receive an article on your country based on information taken from folklore and Paterno's book,Ninay[1]. With respect to bathala my friend Professor Wilken, son of a German and an Alfuro[2] woman, in his magnificent work, Het animisme bij de Volken van den Indischen Archipel ("Animism among the people of the Indian Archepelago"), volume 11, page 162: "Also taken from the Hindus is the name Batara-Guru, which originally meant Siva, because, although the word bataray, the bhattara, or rather Lord ... from the Sanskrit, Siva is nevertheless, the addition of guru (in Sanskrit = teacher) takes away the double meaning, because to all the Siva sects Siva is the true teacher. Even today Batara Guru or Batara alone among many Malayan peoples is the name of a superior divinity. This is also true with the Bataks, Macassars, and Buddhists. Among the Olo-Ngadjus, a tribe of the Dayaks, the supreme being is called Mahatara which is a contraction of Mahabatara, that is, the Great Lord. Among the Dayaks on the coast of Sarawak, batara exists under the form of betara orpetara.

With affectionate greetings,

Very affectionately yours,

F. Blumentritt

25. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 27 March 1887 Acknowledges receipt of Rizal's book.

POSTAL CARD Leitmeritz, Bohemia

27 March 1887 Mr. José Rizal 71-III Jaegerstrasse Berlin

Esteemed Friend,

A thousand thanks for your magnificent book[1] about which I shall speak more lengthily later, because now I'm dispirited, my wife and my children Fritz and Dolores being sick with catarrh and my youngest child swallowed an apricot stone which has not been removed yet.

En embrace. Faithfully yours,

F. Blumentritt

27. Rizal, Berlin, 13 April 1887 In order to know more about our history one has to go to German museums and read German books - Rizal in favor of Philippine studies - Nosce te ipsum - How many obstacles to the Penal Code! - To clear the forest of its brambles and briers - Youth should not be devoted to love or to static sciences - To sacrifice something on the altar of Politics - How Barrantes goes too far - Freed prisoners - Blumentritt should write our history.

71 Jaegerstrasse, Berlin

13 April 1887 Esteemed friend,

Many thanks for your precious and useful gift(1) that I received yesterday. I studied at once the map with my countryman and now we know a little more than before. Is it not sad, I said to my countryman,(2) that we have to learn from a foreigner about ourselves? Thanks to the German scholars we get accurate information about our country, and when everything in our country has been destroyed and we wish to verify the historical accuracy of certain facts we shall have to come to Germany to search for these facts in German museums and books! It is sad to arrive at this conclusion, but it is the truth. If I could only be a professor in my country, I would stimulate these Philippine studies which are like the nosce te ipsum that gives the true concept of one's self and drives nations to do great things. But never would they permit me to open a school in my country, despite the fact that I have obtained my professor's diploma in Madrid!(4) You see how many obstacles they place in one's path in order not to give way to our Penal Code, despite two ministers, despite the lawyers, judges, and the President of the Audiencia! And the opponents are not experts in the matter; they are the archbishop (or better the friars, because the archbishop is such a good man - that he does everything the friars want) and the Intendant of Finance! With this you can judge the political life in the Philippines! This is only a mere sketch. With more details it would appear incredible to a free European. For this reason, we still have to work a great deal. "And we have spent many difficult days clearing the forest of its brambles and deep roots", as Schiller said to the Swiss. For us it is still necessary to join the poetry of struggle to the dragon so that we can say to posterity:

Wir haben diesen Boden uns erschaffen Durch unser Hande Fleiss, den alten Wald, Der sonst der Bären wilde Wohnung war, Zu einem Sitz für Menschen umgewandelt; Die Brut des Drachen haben wir gebotet.(5) ... And 24 stanzas more!

Our youth should not devote themselves to love or to the static speculative sciences as do the youth of fortunate nations. All of us have to sacrifice something on the altar of politics though we might not wish to do so. That is understood by our friends who publish our newspaper in Madrid. They are creole young men of Spanish descent, Chinese half-breeds, and Malayans; but we call ourselves only Filipinos. Almost all of us have been educated by the Jesuits, who certainly did not inculcate in us love of country, but they taught us the beautiful and the best! For that reason, I am not afraid of the differences in opinion that may possibly exist in our country. They can be combatted and repressed.

Mr. Barrantes is thc man (the one-handed person) I talk about in the chapter Patria e Intereses.(6) It was he who in October of 1883, at midnight, ordered locked up in a humid political prison 14 or 16 innocent but wealthy persons for an undisclosed pretext. After three days, the unfortunate prisoners were acquitted without any explanation and without revealing the cause of their detention and acquittal. Many of them contracted rheumatism and several lost hundreds of pesos. All of them were prominent residents of Tondo. Mr. Barrantes was also the one who did not want to protect that complaining nun of whom I speak in the Epilogue.(7) Until this day this gentleman has not received a merited punishment; but if there is a God, he ought to be flogged and tortured as he deserves, here or in the other world. I know a countryman of mine who is waiting for a propitious occasion to ask him for an accounting. Alba(8) was cruel, but he was so to serve his king and country. The Inquisition was also cruel, because it believed it was thus doing the best to serve religion and the faith; Both can be forgiven for their error; who does not commit a mistake when he thinks of doing good? But Mr. Barrantes, in doing such acts, did not serve either his king or his country, nor religion or the faith; he transgressed for his avarice, to enrich himself, and no one will forgive him for that.

Do not be surprised that you have not received news from Mr. Isabelo de los Reyes. It is almost three months already that I have not received letters from my family.

The Philippines should be grateful to you if you would write a complete history of our country from an impartial point oF view. I believe that you are the only one who could do it. I have the courage for it but I don't know enough. I have not read many books about my country and Spanish libraries are closed to me. Moreover, I need my time for other things and everything that I would say would always be suspicious for being inspired by a partisan spirit; but you will be regarded as an impartial judge. You have no selfish interests. As you have very well said, Austria has no colonies, does not covet our country, and so you don't have to alter historical truth either for the Filipinos or the Spaniards, and you can look upon the past calmly as any foreign observer. You profess the Catholic religion, but you dont have an iota of fanaticism. And you don't have to see the country personally; the historian contemplates the past. I believe that you are the best qualified for the task. We also will do everything we can to help you, furnishing you with data we may have at hand. But don't expect thanks and laurels - crowns of flowers and laurel are creations of free peoples - but perhaps your children may gather the fruit of what the father planted.

Iy compatriot and I greet you affectionately, Very respectfully yours,

J. Rizal

31. Rizal, Vienna, 20 May 1887

Arrival at Vienna - Recommended calls. POST CARD Hotel Metropole, Vienna, 20 May 1887

Dear Friend,

We arrived here at 2:30 p.m. We are pleased with the city and its panorama. Tomorrow we will call on the gentlemen to whom you recommended us. I'm very tired. I embrace you. We shall stay here for four or five days.

Affectionately, José Rizal

32. Rizal, Vienna, 24 May 1887 At the Vienna Museum - Nordmann resembles Rizal's father - Poor sick Dora of the little blue eyes! - Die Tinguianen - It is an honor to win recognition - Interview, with the Extra Blatt reporter.

Vienna, 24 May 1887 Dear Friend,

What could I do for you in return for your kindness and everything you have done for me? Your letters of introduction come one after the other, so that we find ourselves here as if we were at home. Now we consider some of the gentlemen who where with you as if they were old friends, like for example Mr. Masner and the good old man Mr. Nordmann. Mr. Masner took us to the museum and we would have stayed in it longer if my friend Viola did not get hungry. Mr. Masner is like 313 those from Leitmeritz and he sends regards to you and Dr. Czepelack. I thank mv old friend Czepelack!

Dr. Nordmann is a very likable old man. If I had to choose my father (that is to say, if mine had not come to this world) I would have chosen Mr. Nordmann for my father for the reason that he and my father resemble each other very much spiritually, my father being also courteous and kind and loves young people. He introduced us to his daughter and his wife and called on us today at the hotel. Afterwards, he took a walk with us; introduced me at his club and gave us three theater tickets. He is an excellent man.

Unfortunately we did not meet the other peraons to whom you introduced us and we only left our cards at their homes. But we are sure that they are as good as the first two, because all your friends are good people who receive us heartily, like Messrs. Willkomm, Masner, Nordmann, Klutschack, Czepelack, and others.

Viola and I are very sorry that our little friend Dora is sick. We still remember her little blue eyes; we hear her gay laughter; and we see her diminutive teeth. Poor Dorita! I saw her run behind us when the train was leaving! Very sincerely I wish her to recover soon.

I received Die Tinguianen and I read the dedication. I'm sure that your translation will please very much I. de los Reyes. It is an honor to win recognition that in our own country is denied us!

Much ado about nothing! That is how I could describe the story of my necktie-pin. Even you were bothered by this insignificant thing. How well and carefully packed it was!

Again many thanks!

While I was writing this letter, a gentleman by the name of Mr. Adler came from the newspaper Extra Blatt, requesting an interview, with me. What will become of it? I have such little experience in these things that I am afraid to have been indiscreet in my statements. But all that I told him was the truth and that clears me. Oh my beautiful and unfortunate Native Country!

Tomorrow we depart. Greetings. Affectionately,

Rizal

33. Rizal, Salzburg, 26 May 1887 He didn't see Blumentritt's friend.

POST CARD Salzburg, 26 May 1887 My very dear Friend,

Yesterday we left Vienna and he slept in Linz. As we left that city early and we were afraid to bother him, for it was school time, we didn't visit your friend.Today we leave Salzburg for Munich.

Many regards from my friend Viola and command your servant, José Rizal

34. Rizal, Munich, 29 May 1887 A little book for the Philippines - Rizal will have his picture taken in Geneva.

Munich, 29 May 1887 Dear Friend,

Yesterday and day before yesterday we toured the city, we drank much beer, and we enhoyed ourselves. Today the weather is better, for yesterday and the day before it, it rained and thundered a great deal.

I remember that you wanted to send a little book to the Philippines. I forgot about it, because then I left your city of happy memory, I was somewhat distraced. Whatever you wish to send to the Philippines, you can send it through me; only you will have to send it to Basel, general delivery, or to Geneva by parcel post. (In the Philippines parcel post is not allowed). I will attend to the matter with the greatest pleasure because I am glad to be able to servemy good friend.

I hope that little Dora has completely recovered.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Konstanz, Lindau, Schaffhausen, and Basel. I believe that we shall be at this last city on the 5th or 8th of June.

Regards to your family and to the merry people of Leitmeritz.

An embrace from your most affectionate,

Rizal P.S.

We did not have our picture taken in Vienna because we could not wait five days to see the proofs. We will do it in Geneva.

35. Rizal, Stuttgart, 31 May 1887 Looking for the professor who is preparing a

dictionary.

Hotel Marquardt, Stuttgart 13 June 1887 Dear Friend,

We arrived after a trip in rather bad weather.

I have lost the address of the professor who is preparing the dictionary, but I don't mind the loss because we are leaving tomorrow afternoon. We are taking the shortest route to Basel where we are expecting letters from our homeland. We have not received news from home for more than twenty days. Please pardon me if this letter has neither order nor ideas, for I am writing it while traveling. From Geneva I will write you my travel impressions.

Goodbye and greetings to your esteemed family from me.

An embrace from Rizal

36. Rizal, Basel, 3 June 1887 He will write Willkomm and Nordmann -

Through rose-colored glasses.

Basel,[1] 3 June 1887 My very dear Friend,

We arrive here today and tomorrow we leave

for Geneva. I received your affectionate post card and as soon as I am in Geneva resting, I shall write Messrs. Willkomm and Nordmann.[2] If I have not done it yet, it is because I would like to write them something more serious than a letter written during the trip. With you I can permit myself to write careless letters, for you know how to excuse any fault of mine and to see everything we do through a cheerful optimistic crystal.

I wish you all good health, including Mr. Willkomm. Rizal

39. Rizal, Geneva, 13 June 1887 A picture for Blumentritt and another for Eberhard Eysert who entertained him in Vienna - As a remembrance.

Geneva, 13 June 1887 Dear Friend,

I am sending you enclosed two photographs and a letter, and I wish to ask you for advice. One of the photographs is for you and the other one I should like to present to Mr. Eberhard Eysert, if you believe it will please him. If you do not believe so, please keep it and do whatever you like with it.

I don't know Mr. Eberhard Eysert and I don't know what he will think of me if I take the liberty of sending him a photograph, but what - he prepared for us in Vienna certainly deserves more than mere words of acknowledgment.

I will write you many more letters and for that reason I conclude the present one greeting and embracing you fondly. Rizal

Greetings to good Director Alois Langer. My friend Viola leaves for Barcelona on the 20th instant.

47. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 25 July 1887

Blumentritt is very sad for not having received news of Rizal's safe arrival home and for the death of two friends, Nordmann and Labhart - Painter Eysert is making a portrait of Blumentritt for Rizal.

* * *

POST CARD

Leitmeritz, Austria

25 July 1887

Doctor José Rizal Kalamba, Laguna de Bay Island of Luzon, Philippines Via Brindisi

Dear Friend,

I am sunk in deep melancholy because of the failure to arrive of the longed-for news of your safe arrival at the side of your loved ones. Then come to us the bad news of the death of our friends Nordmann and Labhart, which distress us. Even my eyes are aching very much. Eysert is definitely painting in earnest an oil portrait of me for you. It may be finished by next week. Professor Robert Klutschack is back from his summer home. He sends you hearty greetings. So also do Dr. Czepelack and Eysert. My loved ones greet and kiss their faithful friend. You are close to the heart of

With the cordial greetings of my whole family. Your loving brother,

F. Blumentritt.

49. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 24 August 1887

The death of John Nordmann.

* * * POST CARD

Leitmeritz, Austria 24 August 1887 My dearest Friend,

Our mutual and noble friend John Nordmann is no longer among the living. He was operated on at the Wiedner Hospital in Vienna and there he died suddenly and unexpectedly. His death caused deep sorrow in all Austria and Germany, for he was not only a writer but also an esteemed and beloved man.

With the cordial greetings of my whole family.

Yours Faithfully, F. Blumentritt

66. Rizal, San Francisco, 30 April 1888 In California under quarantine - Folklorists

and anthropologists appear in Ilocos.

San Francisco, California 30 April 1888 Dear Friend:

We are anchored in this port under quarantine. We don't know how long it will last although there are no sick passengers aboard and the ship did not come from a filthy port. The reason for this is that we have 643 Chinese passengers and, as elections are approaching, the government wants to be in the good graces of the people. We protest, but it is useless for, as the Spaniards say, it is like exercising the right to kick.

The voyage from Yokohama has been fine; I did not get seasick. On board are many Englishmen, some Japanese and three Filipinos.

I see that many folklorists and future anthropologists are appearing in Ilocos. Here is Mr. Deloserre(1) with whom you have had some dealings. There is something that attracts my attention: In view of the fact that the majority of Filipino folklorists are Ilocanos and they use the epithet Ilocano, anthropologists will classify authentic Filipino customs and usages as Ilocano; but that is our fault. I have Isabelo's works and from Europe I will bring to your attention his observations. He has committed some errors because he does not speak Tagalog well.

Greetings to you and kisses for the children. Very respectfully Yours,

Rizal 68. Rizal, London, 23 June 1888 Paciano Rizal is Philosopher Tasio - The only man, according to the lieutenant of the civil guard - General Salamanca asks for the punishment of Filipino reformists - The Spanish Senate is indifferent - "We pay taxes, we shed our blood for Spain, and when we raise a petition, punishment is our reward!" - The simile of the old cocotte - "Fight for truth : Raise us or knock us down!" - Fame for the defense of the weak - The Filipinos have lost faith in Spain - The second edition of the Noli, not very different from the first.

37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. London, 23 June 1888 My dear Friend,

Today I received your second letter. I address you familiarly - tú - because you insist on it; but God knows that I regret it because it seems that I am addressing my father familiarly! Let your will be done!

I was going to answer your first letter, but I was awaiting a letter from Spain in order to write you somoething about our problem. The letter did not come and I don't await it any more.

I am glad that you, your family, and good Dr. Czepelack have accepted my gifts. Despite my enemies, I am in good humor and I feel happy when I can give joy to somebody.

My father will be very much pleased when he shall read your letter. I am surprised that you have not reeeivecd until now my letter from the Philippines, either from my friends or my family. I don't know why I forgot to introduce you to my brother. You who wish to know good men will find in him the most noble of the Filipinos. My friend Taviel de Andrade said that he was the only man in the Philippines - the youngPhilosopher Tasio. (1). When I think of him, though an Indio, more generous and noble than all the present-day Spaniards put together. Perhaps you already know waht happend to the Senate. General Salamanca gave proofs of military valor when he asked for the punishment of those Filipinos who, with due respect, submitted their petitions to the Government. The whole Senate did not find a word of excuse for the Filipinos, no compassion. We pay our taxes, we shed our blodd for the glory of Spain, tolerating her ignorance, and when we dare to express our desires, then they cry for an "exemplary punishment for us". And we are not slaves and it was the Government that encouraged this petition of the Filipinos and certainly it had provoked it! I did not know anything about this. I learned about this inhuman action through Hong Kong newspapers. With all our ignorance and savagery, we are more nobel than the Senate, the Government, and all the Spaniards put together. We have defended the Spaniards against all their adversaries and we still defend them. We offer them hospitality. And even though my brother knows the hatred and sufferings of the people, nevertheless he has defended the Spaniards against the vengeance of some gravely wronged compatriots. Your smile of the old cocotte is magnificent - that she had been beautiful and young once she still believes that she is and she wishes to break the mirror that tells her the truth. There are some Spaniards who have good intentions, but they keep quiet and do not dare express their noble and lofty sentiments.

You say that you are fighting for me and my fellow countrymen. I thank you for it. But I beg you not to fight for me and my countrymen but for truth, because, after all, my countrymen and I will soon perish, and you ought to work for the imperishable. Morever, we can do you later much harm because, being human, we have many defects. But you will gain the fame of having had the boldness to defend the weak and the defenseless, which is very infrequent. Keep yourself always impartial as until now: Raise us or knock us down, as we may deserve. Forget that you are my friend, because I would be very sorry if you would suffer anything for our cause. I believe that it is already late; the majority of the Filipinos have lsot already the hope they have pinned on Spain! Now we await our fate from God and from ourselves, but never any more from any Government!

I share your sufferings and may your family soon enjoy better health, because we ought not to suffer at the same time, physically and spiritually; for that reason, I do the best I can so that at least you would not suffer bodily.

I will surely visit Dr. Theumer, whom I greet cordially, if I go to Germany. In truth, before leaving Europe forever, I will dedicate my last farewell to Germany. I owe Germany my best rememberances; I mean to say, Germany and Austria.

I am plannning to make the second edition of Noli not very different from the first. It seems to me that literary creations suffer much when alterations are made in them, for the public will ask "In which is the author sincere, in the first or in the second edition?" If I should make changes, I am afraid they may be very bitter and sour. I shall only correct typographical errors and shall correct the erroneous citation of Shakespeare in place of that of Schiller. Let the first flower of my youth walk about with all its errors and defects and let it be a proof that formerly I believed in the government and in its good will! Dr. Jurado is now in Paris. When he came over, he was glad to hear that you remember him; he spoke of you with respect and admiration. He told me that before his exile he was Hispanophile and anti-Filipino. At Mariana he realized that he had been ungrateful and disloyal to his native country. God has cured him of his error.

I send you the Correo de España so that you may see if I am right or wrong. If you already have this issue, please return it to me. I should like to keep it as a rememberance. It will write also to good Dr. Czepaleck.

I live here with an English family who esteem me. I don't believe that its esteem is due to the two pounds weekly. That would be humiliating for your friend Rizal and would be ill- considered. At times when I receive news from Spain, it seems to me that I ought to hate all Europeans, but then I believe I shall got to Austria to live there if I cannot live in the Philippines, because Austria has no colonies and for being an Austrian he who has done so much for my country and loves her greatly.

I am going to end my letter here in order not to bore you and only now I have an idea. You will forgive me.

Your Rizal embraces you, greets the old ones, and kisses the children. Faithfully yours,

Rizal

85. Rizal, London,14 November 1888

The books Bauernspiegel seem to portray the life of the Filipinos with regard to courtesy - Desengaños says that Blumentritt sees in the Nolithe best mirror through which he can look at the Philippines - Rizal declines the offer to manage a periodical - Vidal y Soler asks for Spanish and European immigrants giving them landed property - But not for Orientals - What are colonies for? - Rizal does not agree with the explanation of reason of state - No one ought to go to the neighbor's house and subordinate the interests of the neighbor to his own interests - "We came here," the Spaniards said to our forefathers, "to be your friends; recognize our king and pay him a small tribute and we are going to defend you against your enemies."

37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill London, 14 November 1888 Dear Friend, First of all permit me to thank you for the books Bauernspiegel. I have read them with great interest and I believe I have found in their various passages a description of the life of the Filipinos especially in reference to courtesy. With reference to coarse manners the following expressions used in the Philippines could be added: "Jesús!" "You eat now!" "It will be thrown away any way!" "We are going to give it to the pig afterwards!" And the like. It is lucky that Dr. Nagl is not a Filipino nor has he written about the Philippines. The difference between an Austrian peasant and a Filipino peasant is solely the fact that the Austrian is not as candid as and is more egoistic than the Filipino.

Now I know what Desengaños has written about us in La Ocean ía:

"Such learned men like Blumentritt see in that novel the best mirror through which to look at the Philippines!

"How it shows that Blumentritt has not corresponded with us for some months!"

After these statements I am afraid to hear soon that if Professor Blumentritt is worth something and knows something about the Philippines, it is because he has been corresponding with Desengaños. Now all Manila knows that Blumentritt has the great honor of corresponding with him! I hope he will become better informed! Quod erat demonstrandum!

Now, I take up your esteemed letter. Your letter unfortunately arrived too late and I regret this a thousand times because your advice and that of Dr. Czepelack would have changed my attitude. After much thinking and reflection I gave up the idea of being director. I got 50 votes in fact, or rather 60 against 5 who voted for Lete. But I saw that the sympathizers of Lete were very jealous and as Lete, my former friend, has not behaved well towards me when my articles appeared in España en Filipinas, I withdrew. No one, neither Lete nor his friends, could say that Rizal has accepted the management of the periodical for vengeance in order to be able to hurt and eclipse Lete. However, if I knew that I was the only capable Filipino, I would not mind what people might say. But there are many there, thank God, who are more worthy than I. On account of my withdrawal, they will probably elect Llorente, as they do not like Lete. In this case, as Llorente is also my friend, I will see to it that you are appointed representative of the Philippines.

Now I have to excuse myself as I should like to speak about Vidal y Soler. In his book Memoria del Ramo de Montes, which I have read, he not only asks for the immigration of Spaniards, but also of Europeans to whom he wishes to give landed property. I say nothing against it.Transeat! But, why does he not want the Chinese, Japanese, Cambodians, etc., who make the land fertile and work well to be proprietors also? Will the Chinese, Japanese, and Cambodians be more dangerous to Spanish sovereignty than the Spaniards themselves or their descendants who separated South America from the mother country? Where are the countries that the Chinese, Japanese, etc. have taken from the Europeans? Either Vidal y Soler is mistaken or he hates the colored races. And take this into account: The rich proprietors are in the majority more peaceful than the poor ones. I cannot accept your kind explanation of reason of state. I suppose that the welfare of the country ought to be suppressed in the interest of the state as you say. That reason can be alleged only when the country forms an integral part of the state and if the happiness or the misfortune of the whole is the happiness or misfortune of each part, when the country is within the nation. This is not the case of the Philippines. The Philippines is not Spain; she only belongs to Spain. The happiness of Spain is not the happiness of the Philippines but indeed her misfortune. Here it is not a question of interests of state but only of Spanish rule. Spain already existed and was more powerful before acquiring the Philippines. This our sovereignty is only a name. They want to sacrifice our welfare to Spanish pride, and pardon me for not being in accord with this.

Moreover, a country should have colonies only when she has too many people and too much culture at home, and then she should pledge herself to promote the happiness and welfare of her colonies. No one ought to go to the neighbor's house and subordinate the welfare of the neighbor to his own interests. This would be an outrage; it would be the reign of force. If a colonizing nation cannot make her colonies happy, she ought to abandon them or give them their liberty. No one has a right to make others unfurtunate! We have not called the Spaniards. They came and said to our forefathers: "We came here to be your friends; we shall help one another; recognize our king and pay him a small tribute, and we are going to defend you against your enemies." In those times there was no talk of taking away our lands. The friars talked about heaven and promised us all kinds of wealth. To certain natives they did not mention the tribute but only friendship and trade, and now you want us to give up the welfare of the Philippines for a high- sounding name! No, my friend, you cannot think in this way! You give that explanation because you are a loyal friend, because Vidal y Soler is your friend. I cannot understand why a colored peasant ought not to be a landowner like a European; their work makes them equal. I shall understand reasons of state only when the Philippines can enjoy the same rights of sovereignty as Spain. Then her interests can be trampled upon in the interest of the State but not under the mere name of Spanish rule.

This letter is becoming long but I cannot let pass this question without a reply. If is a question of life and death for my native country. I would be exceedingly glad if you were of the same opinion; and if not, let us leave the question without touching it and talk about another thing, for almost always we are in accord.

I am now reading Gaspar de San Agust ín. He is very detailed. Only he is very pessimistic about the Indio. Otherwise he is one of the best references on Philippine literature. He interprets fact and event against the Indio. I find him too patriotic. Col ín pleases me much more.

They write me from Manila that the Jesuits are on my side. It is said that they reprimanded a student who read Rodr íguez' booklet and that his professor said to him: "That is the book that is written with the feet and not Rizal's Noli me tángere." They say that for this reason they are at war with the four religious corporations. But I believe that this enmity was caused not by my case but by Mindanao, as the Jesuits are too clever to commit such stupidities. At any rate, they were not invited by the four monastic orders to preach during the novenae. Greetings to your family and to Dr. Czepelack.

Yours, Rizal

89. Rizal, London, 25 December 1888 Data on Ituy in the Annotations to Morga - Two busts modeled by Rizal: Caesar Augustus for Blumentritt and Julius Caesar for Dr. Czepelack - Ponce, Canon, and López Jaena, and Rizal chat about Blumentritt

- Personification of kindliness - Christmas eve - Evokes the Grand Genius who preached Truth and Love - He suffered for his mission - But for his sufferings "the world has become better, if not saved." 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 25 December 1888 Dear Friend,

Only last night at eight o'clock, I returned here from a trip to Spain for a period of twelve days. I left so suddenly that I had no time to write you. Last night I received many letters, but I will answer yours first.

Under your name I shall make use of your data on Ituy in order to enrich my annotations to Morga. Certainly I could write to the Philippines to ask some gentlemen there about the matter but I am sure they will not reply ....

I shall answer Dr. Meyer's questions day after tomorrow because today the Museum is closed. I made the trip to Spain so suddenly that I had no time to answer him. When I asked for The Travels of Ibn Batuta, (1) they answered me that the book had been lost.

On account of this trip I was not able to send a letter with the package. I am afraid the transport agency charged you for the freight, for it has not sent me any invoice during iny absence. In case they have collected from you, pardon me and tell me for the love of God how much they charged you and in what condition the box arrived. The package contains two busts, copies of those in the British Museum. The Augustus (2) is for you and the Julius(3) is for Dr. Czepelack. The Augustus gave me more work than the Julius. I modeled the Augustusduring ten days from 9 to 4, but it is for you. I wanted to have it baked here but I had no time and Doulton did not want to be responsible for it. Maybe you have there an adequate oven for baking bricks and clay objects. Accept it as a remembrance from me. When they have been baked, they will then be like stones, maybe as hard as marble. Write me if they have arrived in good condition. I insured the statues for ten pounds.

In Barcelona I visited the Filipino colony - Ponce, Cánon, Graciano, and others were very amiable towards me. We certainly talked a great deal about you. You are the personification of kindliness to my countrymen. It is wonderful for us to know a European like you. Also we have a banquet in honor of Quiroga Ballesteros.

The Multatuli is unobtainable. May God keep it! It was so beautiful!

I am going to order it in Dutch, for you also understand this language and in case it cannot be obtained, I shall write to Paris as there might be a translation of this book there. Be patient!

Today is Christmas Eve. This is the feast that I like to celebrate best. It reminds me of the many happy days not only of my childhood but also of history. Whether Christ was born or not excactly on this day, I don't know; but chronological accuracy has nothing to do with tonight's event. A grand genius had been born who preached truth and love; who suffered because of his mission, but on account of his sufferings, the world has become better, if not saved. Only it gives me nausea to see how some persons abuse his name to commit numerous crimes. If he is in heaven, he will certainly protest! Consequently, Merry Christmas! Let us celebrate the anniversary of the birth of a Divine Man!

Let Augustus be my Christmas gift to you! Christ was born in his time and under his empire.

I shall write you again.

Greet your beloved and good lady - the best wife - in my behalf. As I have just arrived, I have nothing for my little friends - the little Blumentritt.

I embrace you. Yours,

Rizal

90. Rizal, London, 14 January 1889 Association Internationale des Philippinistes - To hold a congress during the Exposition at Paris - Rizal asks Blumentritt for advice and suggestions to improve it - Awaiting the Exequatur - Mac Havelaar's book. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 14 January 1889 My dear Friend,

How long a time that I have not written you! I was very busy and I did not want to write you until after I had finished my work in order to surprise you with a grand news. Now everything is ready.

We have formed an Associatio Internationale des Philippinistes of which you should be the president. Don't say no before having read the whole thing. I enclose with this a copy of the project so that you can analyze it and express your important points of view.

We are planning to hold a congress at Paris during the Exposition. You will receive money for the trip and stay in Paris. The Association'scommittee is composed of

Prof. Blumentritt (Austrian), President Edm. Plauchut (French), Vice President Counselor : Dr. Rost (Anglo-German) Counselor: Dr. Regidor (Mestizo Filipino) Secretary: Dr. Rizal (Malayan-Tagalog)

As you see, the board of directors is truly international. Write me your observations and advice so that we may be able to improve the Association. We should like to invite all scholars who are interested in Philippine affairs.

If you have any suggestion, please send it to me so that I can pass it on to the others. As soon as we receive your exequatur, we are going to print the bylaws.

I am very sorry that the busts were broken. For whole days I worked steadily in the hope of furnishing some joy to my dear friends Blumentritt and Czepelack, but God did not want me to settle my account. I must always be in debt! However, the man to whom I delivered them at the post office had packed them very carefully. I had insured them against breakage, and all was in vain! Have you paid the freight and insurance? Through a misunderstanding they collecte from you on delivery. I learned about it when I went there to inquire about the boxes. They told me that it was twelve shillings for the freight and the insurance for which I am sending you thirteen by mail.

Last week I sent you Max Havelaar. As you understand Dutch, I am sure the book will be of interest to you.

Here it is very cold and foggy. I am seated at my writing desk facing the beautiful water-color picture by Dr. Czepelack. I have ordered for it an elegant frame. On the wall is hung your ethnographic map of the Malayan Archipelago, which is very useful. Unfortunately your legend has been lost but with the aid of the dictionaries of Crawford and Wallace I shall make a new one.

Archbishop Payo has died. May God forgive him! He did a great deal of harm to the Philippines and to the Filipinos, but I believe he did not do it deliberately.

I have just received two postal correspondence which ought to have been received last year. One is a programme and the other a letter. Both traveled from Europe to Manila and from there again to Europe. The letter was dated in 1887.

I close this letter greeting my good friends of Leitmeritz.

Your friend embraces you, José Rizal

91. Rizal, London, 31 January 1889 Condolence on the misfortunes of Austria - Blumentritt accepts the Presidency of the

International Association of Philippinists - We wish to obtain the happiness of the Philippines through noble and just means - "If I had to comment a villainy to make her happy, I would decline to do it." - Casal's book is not veracious.

37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. London, 31 January 1889 Dear Friend,

I am arriving you to tell you first of all that I join you and Austria in your sorrow. Even the people here sympathize with the Austrian people for the misfortunes they have recently sufferd. But there are peoples much more unfortunate for whom this kind of mishap would be luck.

I have received your - letter and I am most grateful to you on behalf of my country for having acecpted the presidency. Do not be afraid that we would embarrass you, even if it were a matter of asking for the welfare of my country. We want the happiness of the Philippines, but we want to obtain it through noble and just means, for right is on our side and therefore we ought not to do any thing wrong. If I have to act villainously in order to make my country happy, I would refuse to do it because I am sure that what is built on sand sooner or later would tumble down.

Fear nothing then. If we always confine ourselves within our rights, reason shall be on our side, despite the friars and the others: and if it is impossible for us to defeat our enemies now, one morning will come and another day will appear, for there must be a God of justice, otherwise we shall become atheists.

Ihave already read Casal's book and I am very sorry that he had signed it. They have written me from Madrid that the author was a friar. Casal knows neither the Philippines nor her inhabitants. He left the Philippines as a child. He was educated in Europe, and when he returned to the Philippines, he stayed so short a time - shorter than I did - that he could not have obtained a sufficient knowledge of the condition of her inhabitants. Moreover, Casal is a happy man and he has only mingled with the happy and powerful. For that reason he is satisfied with the conditions obtaining there. He has a large income and he does not live there. Therefore, why should he undertake a quixotism to set aright wrongs and defend the helpless? His descendants will certainly be Spaniards and it would be folly to fight for the Philippines when one has his hopes pinned on Spain.

I have already sent to Mr. Schadenberg a copy of Noli me tángere. Although I have sent it by registered mail, I doubt, however, if he will receive it.(1) José Rizal

101. Rizal, Paris, 4 June 1889 You fight for our country and you imbue us with valor - Ready to unsheathe our swórd in your defense- "There is a God for honorable persons."

10 Rue de Louvois, Paris 4 June 1889 Dear Friend,

I have received your letters as well as your manuscripts. They are for the Philippine youth like the admonition of an old and wise friend, for we are here fighting for our native country entirely without protection. You alone lend us strength and courage and you also admonish us when we depart from the path. Now they want to attack you, but all of us will be with you because our motto is Solidarity and Union. You fight for our country. We should also do the same for you. Only be careful!

The enemies who are attacking you now are of such little value and unworthy against whom we unsheathe our swords. Wait for them to begin a more serious attack. In the meantime send me some issues of Spanish newspapers in which you are praised. I shall write your defense. I myself will fight for you. Until now I have written only for my country. Now it concerns the honor of a friend! But, do not pay attention to those people and their slander. You take everything seriously. With the Spaniards do not take everything seriously.

I have translated more than 30 pages of your Memoir. Now I have rested a little. Dr. A. B. Meyer arrived here. He is a very amiable gentleman. He is sending you greetings. Tomorro he leaves.

If you can keep your position as professor (I don't know how things are in Austria), then fear nothing. When we shall have more liberties in the Philippines in a way that you and I may be able to live there, then we shall go. There is a God for honorable persons!

I have read your article in La Solidaridad. It is very good. Plaridel and Ponce write me that your name is the greatest honor for the periodical. But I say that your teachings are even better than your name, for you teach us much.

I greet Dr. Czepelack and wish him prompt recovery.

All the Filipinos greet you.

Yours, José Rizal

Now that you have unsheathed the sword, courage! Satisfied we shall defend you as one of our own, as the best champion of the fight!!!

143. Rizal, Brussels,17 April 1890

Rizal, historiographer and ethnographer - Various works on oriental countries - In search of light on the Philippines and the Malayans - Studies Dutch - Orders Kern's new book - Investigating the origin of the Malayan race.

38 Rue Philippe de Champagne, Brussels 17 April 1890

My Brother,

I have just received your most useful book, The Races of the Philippine Archipelago, and I leafed through it at once. It seems to me that it is of the greatest value to Philippinologists, and for me especially, as I am now devoting myself with earnestness to the study o everything related to the Far East. I have bought here various books on travel, history, etc. If you want them, write me and I shall send them to you. I have Marsden, History of Sumatra, Pagés, Voyage around the World, Dumont d' Urville, Picturesque Voyage around the World, Bougainville, Picturesque Voyage around the World, Thimberg Voyage in Africa and Asia (Java an Japan), Thompson, Malacca, Indochina, China, Malabar Coast; and in addition 16 volums in 4° of the History of Voyages until 1760. There is a great deal about the Philippines in this work. I have also Rienzi, Malaysia, (The Universe), Panthier, China and Gesantschappen an de Kaisaren van Japan. I am studying Dutch and I am searching the bookstores to complete my collection. I already wrote to Holland ordering Kern's new book.

I hope the money that will give impetus to our society will soon come; oh, money!

If you still want some copies of Morga, write me: you need not buy them.

Pages who has lived a long time among the natives, that is to say, among the Tagalogs, writes good things about their customs that the Spaniards could not understand.

Kern's statement that the Malalayan people may have originated in Indochina aroused greatly my interests, because in reading Marsden's Sumatra, I found many similarities between the customs of the Sumatrans and the Filipinos. However. I cannot draw the conclusion that the Filipinos had come from Sumatra. The similarity between two individuals does not necessarily mean that one is the father of the other. Both can be the children of a deceased person, and for this reason I believe it is difficult to decide whether we originated here or there before having studied thoroughly our respective histories, languages, and religions. I believe that nearly the whole life of a competent man will not he sufficiently long to throw light on the origin of the Malayan race. It seems to me that the Malayans should not be considered either the original or typical race. The Malayans have heen exposed to many foreign and powerful factors that have influenced their customs as well as their nature.

When shall I be allowed to make use of Dr. Hirth's translation of Chinese Commerce? I have been waiting for it a long time.

I am thinking of writing an article on the word Bathalà. The mre I study it the more convinced I am that this word is an error - an error of Chirino or some missionary older and ahead of him who has been recopied by subsequent historians, because the majority of the historians oE the Philippines are mere copyists. Despite the derivation of Deva, avatara, etc. it seems to me incredible that the Tagalogs had at all times in their mouth the name of their foremost God when they hardly pronounced the name of their parents - a custom that has been preserved throughout a period of three centuries, despite the efforts of the missionaries to make such reverence disappear, as Chirino observed. I believe that the Tagalogs never pronounced the name of their God, especially before strangers whom they considered their greatest enemies. They only called him Maykapal, a designation still used and understood by any Tagalog. Why is there no trace at all of the name Bathalà among the Tagalogs in the towns? And nevertheless, the Tagalogs in the towns use such words as Tikbalang, Asuang, Anito, Nuno, Tiyanak, etc., and they retain many pagan usages, many traditions, legends, stories of pagan origin. I believe that the old missionaries did not take much interest in knowing exactly the religion of the Filipinos, for, on account of their religious zeal, they considered it unworthy, diabolical, and for this reason they did not undertake a thorough investigation of it. I believe that the phrase Bathalà MayKapalthat was adopted by the other historians after Chirino is nothing more than the phrase Bahala ang MayKapal, wrongly written, that is equivalent to Alla or Alah of the Muslims or to the Malayan Tuan AIla punia Kraja; because Bahalà ang MayKapal means "God will take care", a meaning given also in a dictionary to the phrase Bathalà May Kapal. However, the fact that the phrase Bathalà May Kapal is often encountered, makes me presume that it may be only a copy. There cannot be found another source where the word Bathalà is used but without the denomination May Kapal. The bird which, according to Morga, has been called Bathalà is not the omnipotent one; it may be the symbol of another divinity. As to the word Diwata as well as the word Diwa (Tag. Mens, intellectus, spiritus, Beurisstein), it is possible that they may be derived from Dewa, Diu, Diw, Deos, Ti, etc.

Iwant to know exactly your opinion before publishing my article, because it may have fatal consequences. If you now a better derivation, I beg you to let me know. The derivations of this word by Kern and Pardo de Tavera do not seem sufficient to me because they did not examine if the word was correctly written. You know already how it is possible to construct with etymology.

Consequently, I wish you good luck for your new book. I shall study it carefully and if I find something in it, allow me to give you my opinion.

Greetings to your family

Yours, Rizal

155. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 29 September 1890 Desengaños does not deserve a reply with the pen but with the rattan - The Spaniard is impressed only by valor and might - It is good for the Philippine cause that the friars have only intriguers at their services and not men of talent - God helps he who helps himself - The artistic sense of the Tagalogs - The statuette Triumph of Death over Life admired by two German artists. 29 September 1890 PROF. F. BLUMENTRITT IN LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA AUSTRIA

My Brother:

Today I have a little time to write you. I have had much to do this month, so that I had very few wasted moments. To begin with, I have not failed to devote every free moment to the Philippines. In the first place I answered Desengaños. It is true he does not deserve to be answered with the pen but with the rattan for being such an admirer of the Englishman's stick. But in Spain one cannot remain silent if he is attacked by a bandit writer; a Spaniard is impressed only by valor and might. Quiet enemies are oppressed and maltreated. It is lucky for the Philippine cause that the friars have only intriguers at their service and not men of talent. All that the friars have written until now are worthless. Their voluminous publications, instead of being useful to them, only hurt them. We should not lose courage; God helps only he who helps himself.

The last sentence in your article on Indolencia(1) is magnificent and no man with sane brains can deny the sureness of your logic.

I eagerly hope that next year you will be here, as you have written, and not only you, but also Serrano and other Filipino friends. I'm at present gathering the prospectuses of the different colleges and schools in Austria and Germany so that the Filipinos can find out from them which institutions are suitable to their aims and plans. In the meanwhile, they should study German assiduously, so that they can understand the lectures. I will also gather complete information about admission requirements and expenses.

The cost of living is always higher for students who live in private rooms and eat at the restaurant than for those who eat at the boardinghouse. If they live as a republic, as they say in Manila, the cost is less. Like the Italians here who are not fond of the taverns, the Filipinos who do not drink will find the cost of living low. I'm going to prepare comlete tables about it.

Tell Serrano that I do not cease admiring the things sent by him and Viola. A few days ago, a young Viennese painter, one of my former students who came to see me, expressed admiration for the highly, developed artistic sense of the Tagalogs and said that, after all, we should be ashamed of being Europeans.

He as well as Mr. Moll of Berlin.- two artists of opposite viewpoints, the Berliner being a cold realist and the Viennese who is really from Leitmeritz and a Slav, an idealist of sensitive feelings - admire your statuettes. They are both agreed in the sublimity of the conception and execution of the statuette representing the triumph of death over life.

I'll write Serrano tomorrow or after tomorrow. Tell me what books are necessary for the teaching of German to the Filipinos; I'm going to send them to you.

With affectionate greetings from all of us to you and yours Your brother

Blumentritt

160. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 15 February 1891 After all the misfortunes suffered by Rizal now his beloved abandons him - How it hurts his heart - But Rizal is like those heroes who conquer the pain of love's wounds - "You have a brave heart and a more noble woman looks at you lovingly : Your Native Land" - The

Philippines is like one of the enchanted princesses of German folklore - An album of ethnographic objects from Northern Luzon - Igorot pipes which prove the existence oF ancient relations with Japan - Another review of theQuioquiaps. 15 February 1891 PROF. F. BLUMENTRITT IN LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA AUSTRIA

My Brother,

Only today I'm able to write you. Your last letter filled us with sadness. - After all the misfortunes that have befallen you now your beloved abandons you. My wife can't

understand how a woman whom a Rizal has honored with his love could abandon him; she is indignant at that girl. I myself am very sorry, but only for your sake, because I know how your heart aches. But you're one of the heroes who overcome the pain of the wounds inflicted by a woman, because they pursue more lofty ends. You have a brave heart and a more noble woman looks at you lovingly: Your Native Land. The Philippines is like one of the enchanted princesses of German folklore who is the prisoner of an ugly dragon waiting for a valiant knight to liberate her.

I already imagine something like it upon reading your New Year's letter. I said to my wife then that something has happened to Rizal and it was done by a woman. Cherchez la femme!(1)

Your photograph has filled us with joy; it's an excellent likeness. I have not been able yet to show it to Dr. Czepelack; I haven't visited him since 1st February because I'very much work to do, and today when I've planned to do so, I have to stay home on account of a catarrh. I write with much difficulty because my head is aching very much, but as I can't keep silent, I send you these few lines. Dr. Czepelack lives as usual. He writes and paints and so he overcomes his physical pains. Every time I see him, he asks about you. Klutschack has been sick but has recovered. For four years he has been working on his book, Guide to Leitmeritz and its Environs, but he can't finish. it, because he's so thorough that he's always changing something. That's a real work o Penelope.

What novel are you writing? Is it a new edition of Noli me tángere or a new novel?

I've seen the manuscript of A. B. Meyer and A. Schadenberg. It's an album of ethnographic objects, with text, of Northern Luzon. Most wonderful and interesting things! Some Igorot pipes arouse much interest for their decorations which are identical with those of the objects found in very ancient tombs in Japan. This proves that the Igorots must have had relations with Japan long before the coming of the Spaniards.

You'll like much Schiffer Worse; Kielland is another author who writes with his heart.

The Quioquiaps have founded a review in Manila. I've read between the lines that that gang of political bandits will give up their old insults against the Indios. That's already some progress! But I attack Quioquiap again; perhaps the issue of La Solidaridad for today carries my article against Quioquiap.

My family greets its Rizal. Your brother embraces you. Blumentritt

165. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 26 April 1891 On his unhappy love - "If she can give up Rizal, she is not of the stature of Rizal's heart" - Affectionate letter of Paciano - Interesting book which furnishes weapons to the opponents of Frailocracia(1) - Against Rizal's return to the Philippines - "The native

land needs your intelligence and your freedom - Better times are approaching for the Philippines - The struggles of La Solidaridad are not useless - Study of the scientific basis of the Malayan language - The gold pen has not arrived. 26 April 1891 PROF. F. BLUMENTRITT IN LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA AUSTRIA

Dr. José Rizal Brussels, 38 Rue Phil. de Champagne

My Brother,

For a long time I waited for your letter which at last arrived today. I'm sincerely sorry that you have lost your fiancée but if she could renounce Rizal, she is not of the stature of his spirit. She is like a child who throws away a diamond to pick up a pebble. In other words, she is not the wife for Rizal. La donna e mobile,(2) as the Italians sing. I leave this subject because I don't want to touch further an open wound.

I'm very glad that your dear family is well. I received from Don Paciano such an affectionate letter that I have put it on the night table beside my bed so that I can read it every night. I'm going to answer it; should I send you the letter? How long will you stay in Brussels? I'll wait until you write me and then I'll send you the letter for Paciano and a very interesting book for you, which, though it does not deal with the Philippines, contains a great deal that furnishes weapons to the opponents of Frailocracia.

I'm by no means in favor of your going to the Philippines now. You expose yourself to great perils and your native country needs your intelligence and your freedom. I believe that better times for the Philippines are approaching. The struggles of La Solidaridad are not useless. I would not dare draw such optimistic opinions only from my head, but some Spaniards who, at the beginning of the campaign fled from me as from a heretic, have written me again, telling me that they have found out that I was right.

Don't go to the Philippines yet; it is better for you to go to Leyden and see Professor Kern and you study the scientific basis of the Malayan language. Then prepare for your people a dictionary like the one Littré has given the French, and even had you done nothing more than this (even if you had not written Noli me tángere), your name would be immortal, not only in your native country and among your people, but in the whole world. In reading the bilingual Tagalog- Spanish newspapers, I find many Spanish words in the Tagalog text for which neologisms or newly formed Tagalog words can be easily substituted.

Thirty years ago the Austrian Wends or Slovenes had no homogenous language, because theirs was full of German and Italian terms. So the Slavic scholar Professor M íklosich worked for two years and created for this people a rich and perfect written Ianguage, varying, adaptinq, and borrowing from other Slavic languages. especially from the Czech (Bohemian), Polish, Russian, and Serbian. So, an honorable work awaits you.

The gold pen has not yet arrived. They wrote me that it was coming on the same boat that brought Isabelo,s letter with the draft. This came on the 21st or 22nd of December, but the pen has not yet come.

Enough for now. Affectionate regards from all of us.

Your brother embraces you, Blumentritt

166. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 20 June 1891 We go through the Philippines with hands joined - Colonel von Koller read the Noli twice - El Filibusterismo, a thunderbolt that will knock down the enemies - Lippert's work as a souvenir of their mountains - Blumentritt is distressed that Rizal has not abandoned his plan to return to the Philippines - Loleng finds Rizal's photo - The gold pen is now in Europe.

20 June 1891

PROF. F. BLUMENTRITT IN LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA AUSTRIA

Dr. José Rizal Brussels My Brother,

Yesterday I received your letter and I sent you at once all the issues of La Solidaridad for 1891, because I could not find what you have cited, though I remember having said something similar. I'll read La Solidaridad for 1890; maybe it is there. I'm glad that you join my name again to yours; thus we go through the Philippines with hands joined.

I'm curious about your new work. I have told Colonel A. von Koller, an amiable old man, that you have written a new novel; he has read your Noli twice. I know your second novel will be a thunderbolt that will knock down the enemies.

I have sent you the beautiful book of my countryman and friend Lippert. It's a philosophical work whose second instalment you will receive later. Please accept it as a souvenir of our mountains.

It distresses me that you have not given up your plan to return to the Philippines. I'll write you again on this subject; now I must hurry up.

My uncle has rheumatism and I have a throat ailment; this makes the rest of the family suffer, because we cannot go on excursions.

My wife reads all your letters and sends you cordial regards.

We found your photo later; it remained in the envelope and we might have burned it with the envelope had Loleng not seen it. A thousand thanks; it's a good photo.

The gold pen is now in Europe. Ponce brought it from Barcelona to Madrid from where it will be sent to me opportunely.

I'll write your brother soon.

With affectionate regards from us to you and yours. An embrace from

Blumentritt

171. Rizal, Gand, 23 August 1891 Pleasant recollections of Father Leoncio López. - Anecdotes - He is the Father Florentino of the Noli - His moral physiognomy traced by Rizal. 9 Rue de Hainaut, Gand

23 August 1891 My Brother,

Thanks for your letter. I answer it: at once, briefly and clearly, for it is for me a satisfaction to speak of the late curate of my home town.

Father Leoncio López was a native Filipino, but he was no exception. You took him for a Franciscan friar when you spoke about the curate of my home town in the Solidaridad. He was more cultured than one can imagine. He was tall, straight, and distinguished; cultured but timid and tender. His best friend was my father and I his young friend. Formerly we were not in friendly terms, for, when I wrote a poem at the age of fourteen, he said that the poem could not be mine, that I ought to have copied it from some book. This irritated me and I answered him furiously. My mother, who was present, got angry with me. Half a year later, Father Leoncio came to known from the Jesuits that I have again composed poems and the old man - he was then 70 - made a trip to Manila, visited me at the Ateneo Municipal, and apologized to me. This gesture of his made me his best friend and since then we have been the best friends in the town. Despite his timidity, he always took my side against the civil guard. We loaned each other our books, and when I left the Philippines secretly,(1) I asked him to console my parents. The letter he wrote me is to me a valuable treasure. He said that his only wish before leaving this world was to see me again and clasp my hand. He said that this was his intimate wish. But he died before I had written my Noli. He was related to my family. He was a just, liberal, and tolerant man. You will see his portrait in my new book; I call him Father Florentino. He was a musician, poet, and naturalist. He never meddled in politics. He never had anything to do with the election of the gobernadorcillo. We were at peace.

His successor, Father Gabino, also a native, was as good as he was. He resembled him physically, even in the face, but he was not as cultured. However, he was much more devout in the Catholic sense of the word. Father Leoncio will always be for me a beautiful memory. Yours,

Rizal

Greet Isabelo for me; I want to forget everything and I beg him to reconcile with me. 181. The Blumentritts, Leitmeritz, 19 March 1892

Greetings of the Filipino Colony of Leitmeritz formed by the Blumentritt family on Rizal's saint's day, St. Joseph, l9 March.

POST CARD

Leitmeritz, 19 March 1892 Dr. José Rizal 2 Rednaxela Terrace Hong Kong

Affectionate greetings to Rizal from the Filipino Colony of Leitmeritz.

Fernando Blumentritt Fernando Blumentritt, Jr. Loleng Blumentritt Conrado Blumentritt Rosa Blumentritt Federico Blumentritt

185. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz,16 July 1892

The news of the deportation of Rizal saddens the home of the Blumentritts - He hopes he will regain his freedom - Rizal's devoted friends will work to restore to him his freedom.

Leitmeritz, Austria 16 July 1892 Doctor José Rizal Dapitan Dearest Rizal:

My entire household is full of gloom. Yesterday we received the news oE your banishment or deportation to the south of the Archipelago. This news has shocked us very much; my wife, Loleng, Fritz and Conradito turn pale because they imagine that the bailiffs maltreat you. I hope that the barbarities with which Barrantes and other gentlemen, who often render lipservice to national nobility, stained the pages of the history of the Philippines, would not be repeated. Under the administration of Despujol, acts of barbarism are not committed; and so I ask you to live in the conviction that informed justice will give you the freedom which mistaken autocracy has robbed you. And do not forget that it you have bitter enemies, you also have devoted friends who will do everything that law and honor to restore to your freedom.

We pray the Most Blessed Virgin to give you her protection. I send you the affectionate regards of my family and receive, with loving and fraternal greetings, a close embrace of your faithful friend,

Fernando Blumentritt

192. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 15 October 1893 Nothing about politics that might embarrass him - He writes him to let him now that he is still alive and to show him their esteem of him - Dr. Rost, weakened by influenza, takes interest in Rizal - Dr. Jagor asked him for information about Rizal - Memory of his visit - Tempi pássati! - His notes on the Ilongots. 15 October 1893 PROF. F. BLUMENTRITT IN LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA AUSTRIA

Dr. José Rizal Dapitan

My very dear Friend,

They write me that your family have transferred their residence from Hong Kong to Dapitan. I approve of it because thus you will have the joy to embrace your good mother (whose feet I kiss). I have nothing to write you. for fear of having this letter confiscated, for if they have confiscated my last one, I do not know what I could tell you. However, I write you these lines only to let you know, that I am still alive and that we always esteem you cordially.

Dr. Rost has written you a letter; the venerable old man is very much interested in you. A student of mine, who is searching for Spanish manuscripts of the middle ages in the museums, libraries, and archives of London and Oxford, writes me that Rost is very weak as a result of the wicked influenza.

Dr. Jagor has returned from a trip to the Far East. He spent three years in the Dutch Indies, particularly on the Island of Celebes. He asked me if I had your address; I gave it to him, but I do not know if his letter will reach you.

My family are in good health. Many times we recall the beautiful days of your visit with us. Tempi passati!(1)

I have read in Comercio(2) that the present commander of Dapitan is called Lillo Gracia. If this gentleman is the same one who is the author of the most interesting pamphlet on Lepanto, I beg you to greet him on my behalf and to tell him that I have propagated the glory of his name in the geographical reviews of Austria and Germany. I have translated into German his notes on the Ilongots, published in the essay of Mr. Jordana.

And without anything more at present, I am going to finish. I beg you to transmit the affectionate regards of my whole family (who greet you fondly) to your mother and greet respectfully on my behalf the Very Reverend Father Sánchez. Your friend embraces you, Fernando Blumentritt.

193. Rizal, Dapitan, 19 December 1898 A poet's dream among the mists of the Rhine - Poor wing less butterfly dreaming of flowers and the pure atmosphere of other regions - From the present evil much future good will be gathered - A flower grows in the mire - From my present misfortune, I will get something good some day - I believe I have the seed - Specimen of natural history lost in the sinking of the Normandy - The Tagalog grammar is finished - His life in Dapitan - The impostor Pablo Mercado. Dapitan, 19 December 1893

Mr. Fernando Blumentritt

My dearest friend,

Tu solus fidelis reminisceris mei!(1) Your postcard with the affectionate New Year greetings of your family came to me like the fragrant breeze from the forests of pines. I saw again the Ringplatz where we had that little supper, the Ober Gymnasium, etc. And when so many remembrances again surge in my memory, I cannot help but exclaim with the poet Espronceda:

Dónde volaron, jay! aquellas horas, De juventud, de amor, de ventura, Regaladas de músicas sonoras Adornadus de luz y de hermosura? Imágenes de oro bullidoras, Sus alas de carm ín y nieve pura Al sol de mi esperanza desplegando Volaban jay! en derredor cantando.(2) But, everything has vanished, as you Germans say. The wings of the butterfly have been burnt in the beautiful radiance of light ... and the butterfly now lies on the ground thinking of the rays of the sun, of the flowers, and of the pure and tranquil atmosphere of other regions.

I become melancholy when I think of it a long time. Let time run! Non ragioniam di lor ma lascia passare e guarda, I add, quoting Dante.(3) I am very fatalistic, like an oriental that I am, and I believe that from the present evil can be gathered much future good - flowers grow in putrid manure. From my present misfortune, I shall get something good some day. I believe I have the seed. What will be, will be!

Another thing. Dr. Schadenberg writes me now that the Natural History I sent to A. B. Meyer has been lost in the sinking of the Normandy. It is a pity, because I was counting on getting some Russian books in exchange for that remittance.

My Tagalog grammar or rather, my studies on the Tagalog language, is now finished. When I finished it, I was the master of what I began. How true is what Cantú says: He who begins a book is not even the pupil of the one who finishes it. How I miss now the Kawi Sprache(2) of Humboldt that I have in my library at Hong Kong!

I am sending you enclosed some ferns and sampaguitas(4) gathered from my garden. Nimm den duftigen Hauch meines gartens an; es sind die Lieblingen, eines mussigen Verbanntes. Ich bin melancholisch gestimmt jetzt, Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten,(5) as Heine said. I am going to tell you how we live here. I have a square house, another hexagonal, and another octagonal - all made of bamboo, wood and nipa. In the square one my mother, my sister Trinidad, a nephew, and I live. In the octagonal my boys live - some boys whom I teach arithmetic, Spanish, and English - and now and then a patient who has been operated on. In the hexagonal are my chickens. From my house I hear the murmur of a crystalline rivulet that comes from the high rocks. I see the beach, the sea where I have two small crafts - two canoes or barotos, as they call them here. I have many fruit trees - mangoes, lanzone, guayabanos, baluno, nanka, etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats, etc. I get up early - at 5:00. I visit my fields, I feed the chickens, I wake up my folks, and start them moving. At 7:30 we take breakfast - tea pastry, cheese, sweets, etc. Afterwards I treat my poor patients who come to my land. I dress and go to the town in my baroto, I treat the people there and I return at 12:00 and take lunch. Afterwards I teach the boys until 4:00 and I spend the afternoon farming. I spend the evening reading and studying.

My mother is very glad that you remember us and that the friendship you profess us has not diminished at all. She, like myself, and all those in the house wish you also a Happy New Year.

We are planning to celebrate Christmas at home. We shall remember you. I have made little paper lanterns to illuminate my garden.

A man(6) has come to me here sent by persons who are considered respectable by many with the object of wresting from me some papers and books. I did not wish to do anything against him, but I found out later, that he was posing as my relative, etc., etc., and so I reported him to the commander who immediately seized him and sent him to Manila.Et ille ipse declaravit, missum esse a monachis ven fratribus ex quibus receperat septuagita quinque dollars. (And he himself declared that he was sent by the friars from whom he received seventy-five pesos.)

I close this letter saying to you: Prosit Neujahr! (Happy New Year!) My family sends to yours the most affectionate wishes and regards. Your brother,

Rizal The commander here is not called Lillo de Gracia but Mr. Juan Sitges y Pichardo; he is a physician.

195. Rizal, Dapitan, 31 July 1894 Condolence to the Blumentritt family - Rizal, abaca merchant - Teaching the people of Dapitan to revive their industries - Copy of Chau Ju-Kua's account of the Philippines? - He will publish his Tagalog Grammar as soon as he is free - He is learning Bisayan and teaching Dapitan boys - And Miss Loleng? - I can still see her running after us with her schoolbag, greeting us with her little hand and smiling with her eyes." - Rizal writes in different languages in order not to forget them - A mathematics book. - The path in the middle of a dark forest. Dapitan, 31 July 1894 My Brother,

When I received your note today, I felt very

sad. Though I did not come to know your father, I share your sorrow. My parents are also old and some day they will also go! Yes, how lonely we shall be in this world! Blessed are those who rest at last! When shall I be permitted to finish the work? May our father rest in peace!

My life passes peacefully and monotonously! To kill time and to be able to help a little the inhabitants of this place, I have become a merchant. I buy abaca and I send it to Manila. Luck has favored me this month; I made P200 in one stroke.

How is my German? I believe it is a little oxidized.(l)

You would certainly oblige me, my dear, if you send me a copy of that interesting account of the Chinese about my country.(2) Do you remember that Mr. Hirth's translation?

My Tagalog grammar about the Tagal is long ago finished: I intend to publish it as soon as I shall be set at liberty. It will bring to light so many things that I believe nobody thought of. I make references to the Bisaya, Malay, and Madecassis(3) according to Dr. Brandstetter.(4) Greet him, if you ever write to him. My life now is quiet, peaceful, retired and without glory, but I think it is useful too. I teach here the poor but intelligent boys reading, Spanish, English, mathematics, and geometry; moreover I teach them to behave like men. I taught the men here how to get a better way of earning their living and they think I am right. We have begun and success crowned our trials.

This Gewalttätigkeit exerced upon me gave me a new language, the Bisaya; taught me how to steer a vessel and to manage a canoe; made me better acquainted with my country and presented me with some thousands of dollars! God can send you your fortune amidst the persecutions of your fiends! How do you find my English?

You do not tell me about your dear family. How are Madame and little Mlle. Loleng? When I think of her (Loleng) I see her always following the coach with her schoolbag, running after us like a butterfly around a flower! The little one was greeting us with her charming little hand and smiling at us with her eyes. Ah, now she is no longer a child and one cannot play and frolic with her! The golden days of Leitmeritz, as you would say, are over, they are over. It is a delightful little vision that shall never be erased from my memory. Tell them for me that I kiss their hands!(5)

I try to write you in various languages because here I speak with no one in these tongues and I am forgetting them. Thanks to our friend A. B. Meyer I have German books. By the way, today I am sending him birds and animals. If he wishes to send me books in exchange, I would prefer that you suggest to him a good complete treatise on mathematics in French. You ought to know better than I the best authors of mathematics. I ask for French for its clarity and method. Is there something better than Cirode? If it should cost too much never mind. From Cebu certain Messrs. Koch send me Das Echo and Fliegende Blätter; from Manila the Ethnographic Review. I have a magazine, Scientific American, and from London thev send me the Saturday Review! I am well provided with reading matter. I operate on three or five patients a week. Many are poor but some pay.

I should like to close this letter in the language of Dante but it seems to me that what I knew before I have now forgotten. Lucky are you who are in Europe, in correspondence with literary men and scholars and you can exchange ideas whenever you please. As for me I am here Nel nezzo del cammin' della mia vitta ini una selva oscura ...(6)

Enough for now. Another time I shall be a little more discreet in my language.

Your friend who never forgets you,

Rizal I got operated my dear Mother of cataract. Thank God she is perfectly well now and can write and read with easy. She and my young sister send you their best friendship and to your dear family too. 199. Rizal, Dapitan, 15 January 1895 Mrs. Teodora Alonso returns to Manila - Rizal losing hope of getting out of his exile - Ma-yi is more interesting to Rizal because he lives in Ka-ma-yen - He does not approve the geographical names - If Mr. Hirth had given the Chinese characters in which the names of the towns were written, Rizal could deciplier them with the aid of the local Chinese - Enlarging his Studies on the Tagalog Language - Laudatory opinion on the Blumentritt children - Recollections of happy days in Leitmeritz. Dapitan, 15 January 1895 My Brother,

Yesterday was a holiday for us, poor inhabitants of Talisay. Talisay is the proper name of the piece of land I have bought. Your letter and post card were read and reread, shown around, and admired. My pupils cannot understand how a German who has never been in Spain can write so well in Spanish. My dear and good mother, who is separating from me now, was deeply moved. She is going to Manila on the mail boat, for my father who feels weaker and weaker every day, wishes to see her. Your letter, like a distant voice of friendship, gave us courage for sometime; we forget our preoccupations, thinking only of you, the good and unforgettable friends.

My aged father believes he is nearing death. He has become much weaker than before. Whether he is going to die without our seeing each other, I don't know. My exile lasts so long that I am beginning to lose hope of ever seeing myself free again some day. Everybody agrees with me that I do not deserve this fate, but here they keep me! Habent sua fata ... (1) Where are conscience and political conviction.

I have read the copy of the Ma-yi that I asked from you, the translation and some notes, and I thank you most sincerely. Each time I find it more interesting, especially now that I live in Ka-ma- yen. The notes are very interesting and instructive, but pardon me for not being entirely in accord with the georaphical names. Now that I know enough of Bisayanismo, I can add some explanations. If you permit me then, I shall correct some. It is a pity that Mr. Hirth has not given the Chinese characters in which the names of the towns and islands were written, for I could decipher them here with the aid of some Chinese.

I am overwhelmed with patients and I cannot finish many works I have begun. I am enlarging my Studies on the Tagalog Language and I cannot finish it. I lack reference books, for here I have no library. My patients are so numerous that I have to turn away some for not being able to attend to them.

I heartily felicitate Fritz. It seems to me that he will have the same talent and the same love for study as his father, though in another line. But my most ardent desire is that he may have the same warm, faithful, and sane heart as his father has. In the natural science field, my country can offer him treasures yet undiscovered. There are here many species still unknown in zoology and botany, judging by the discoveries that are being made. If he will ever come here as a naturalist, his name will be his passport in this country withnut hotels and my family would consider itself very happy to have him and to be able to repay the hospitality I have received from his father. Kurt perhaps has inherited from his father his literary ability; hence his liveliness, that fire, that ardor so characteristic of the polemical works of Pisaflores. Loleng is a German through and through; when she signs, she signs in German. She remains faithful to her German nationality, the better! The German woman does not need to copy from anyone.

When in this hut of mine I think of Leitmeritz and of its very ancient houses, I remember that dinner we had in an old hall with Mr. Klutschack. I see the sun, the old cabinets, the old porcelain and dishes, and I ask now: Was that not a dream? I think of Professor Langer who had so many troubles in 1870 receiving us very kindly at his college. I see again the garden-island on the Elbe with the distant view of a bank similar to a bank of the Pasig. I think of my stroll in the park holding Loleng by the hand, and it appears to me that everything is just a dream. It was so beautiful, so divinely beautiful!

Friend Viola is already married and I saw him in Manila days before my imprisonment. He is always the same to me always kind, affectionate, lively gay. He has not aged.

We are now going to build a water-tank on my land. I have 14 boys whom I teach languages, mathematics, and how to work, and as we have no work I have decided to construct a dike of stone, brick, and mortar so that they may learn.

My mother and sisters send you the most affectionate greetings for this year.

I wish you the same soul and the same heart always. Ever yours,

José Rizal

204. Rizal, Dapitan, 20 November 1895 Blumentritt masters the Spanish language - What elegance in his expression! - Rizal is forgetting little by little the German he has learned - Oh, those rustic excursions in Germany! - Wander through the forests, gather strawberries, drink Rhine wine, eat heartily,

and sleep under the pine trees .... - Rizal studies Malay and writes on the bewitched - Tagalog Versication at the Ethnographic Society of Berlin - A wooden machine for making bricks - Will apply, for post of military physician in Cuba - Busy with philological works.

Dapitan, 20 November 1895 My faithful Brother,

I will see if I can still write in German; but it is marvelous to hear how you express your ideas in Spanish. What refinement, what elegance! You alrearly have a complete mastery of the language. As for me, I am now forgetting little by little what I have learned with so much pain for lack of practice and association.

I have received your letter of 7 September as well as a post card. I am very glad that you are enjoying your excursions to the country. Oh, excursions to the country in Germany! One walks through the forests, gathers strawberries, and at the nearest tavern one orders Rhine wine, and makes strawberry drink with sugar and Waldmeister if there is some! (I think Waldmeister in Spanish is aspérula). Afterwards one reaches a little town, orders a meal at the restaurant, one eats heartily, and later one goes to sleep under the pine trees, on the soft carpet of pine needles. How I would like to feel now the cold of the Northern climate!

I have had to suspend my study of Tagalog grammar on account of my study of Malay, and because recently they asked me from Manila to write something about Filipino quacks. I have written an article on witchcraft in the Philippines. I am planning to enlarge it and write an extensive book on superstitions, the mysterious, and the like which in the Philippines are still believed in.

While I was in Berlin, I published in the bulletin of the Ethnographic Society a study on the Metrical Art of the Tagalogs. The study is in German; I have nothing to add to it.

Concerning your advice on going to Cuba as physician, it seems to me most excellent and right now I am going to write to the Governor General. The climate here is, with slight difference, like-that over there and one dies here as everywhere else, when God so decrees. I am a little fatalistic. I believe, as you say, in serving the cause of humankind. Here we have a new governor, a charming person, and desirous of promoting the welfare of the district, as he shows in his acts.

I have made a wooden machine for making bricks and I believe that with it I can make at least 6,000 a day; well now, I lack an oven. When I was in Belgium, I saw bricks being made outdoors, without ovens; and at Baden I saw also a pile of bricks in a field. I suppose that in Bohemia they also bake bricks outdoors sometimes. If that is so, please tell me how they arrange the bricks so that the heat may not escape too much.

I am on the way to deciphering the meaning of babailan. As we already suspected, there is here an error in transcription, as in babailana to which they have added the affix a to render it feminine. Among the Subanos the religious ceremony is called Balean. I believe that this e is a contraction of ai, Balaian; Balai is house. I do not go further for I am not sure. I will have more data. I think too that I shall be able to prove the origin of certain rituals; for the religious songs of the Subanos will come to me in a language unknown to them. What a pity that my work would not let me stay with them two or three months! These Subanos are the ideal people that ought to inhahit these mountains. They work, they do not steal, they are very peaceful. On the other hand, they ace rather filthy, but the rich are already clean and neat.

I think I have already announced to you my discovery of the change of the Tagalog i into the Bisayan o; how this process was effected that all the words with i in Tagalog have to be with o in Bisayo. I think that my discovery will have to attract a little the attention of the Philippinists.

I wish you would remain healthy, happy, and with the spirit to undertake great things. My respects to Frau Rosa and Fräulein Loleng and my friendship to Fritz and Kurt.

I end here; I embrace you, kiss the children, and greet on my behalf your good wife. Ever yours,

José Rizal I am sending you sampaguita flowers for your

daughter.

205. Blumentritt, Leitmeritz, 1895

New Year's Greetings

POST CARD

Leitmeritz, December? 1895 To Dr. José Rizal

Doctor of Medicine Dapitan, Capital of the Conmandancia Politico-Mlilitar cif the same name Island of Mindanao, Philippines

Grüsse und Prosit Neujahr 1896. (Greetings and Happy New Year!)

Yours, Rizal

207. Rizal, Dapitan, 5 April 1896 Philological conversation with Blumentritt - Rizal treating patients from various parts of the Archipelago - The Mangianenschrift - Blumentritt comprehends the spirit of the Tagalogs - Before publishing his grammar (Rizal wants to be well steeped in Malay - And to make sure if it is the origin of Tagalog - He now speaks Bisayan - And studying Malayo-Polynesian languages - His ambition is to raise a monument to his native tongue - Correction of Tagalog translations by Rizal - On the g of Rizal which, according to Foy, is irreführend - On the w - Rizalian orthography adopted and its use is becoming general - On the etymology of Babailan and Lanaw - Meaning of Dapitan - Rizal sends three roses from his garden to the Blumentritt family. Talisay, 5 April 1896 Dapitan, Mindanaw Mr. Fernando Blumentritt

My very dear Friend,

It is almost three weeks ago that I received your affectionate letter. I did not answer it by the return mail because I had no time to think. Day after tomorrow the boat will be here, so I avail myself of Easter Sunday to have a colloquy with you.

At the same time as your letter, I received a copy ofMangianenschrift.(1) I do not know who has sent it to me. Thanks at any rate to the sender. Despite mynumerous occupations - for I have patients from different islands of the Archipelago, Bohol, Panay, Cebú Luzón, Sikihod, Mindanaw, Negros - I read it with the greatest interest. I see that you as well as Dr. Foy have worked hard on it and I give both of you my wholehearted congratulation. You have translated very faithfully into German the Tagalog phrases, better than I could do it. I note that you have comprehended the spirit of the Tagalog, a thing very necessary for the translation of a language. I do not see then your need for a Tagalog grammar as you say in your letter; I think that you can get along without it. If I am postponing the publication of mine, it is because I wish first to steep myself in Malay in order to put an end to the inquiry into what is true and what is false in the common belief that Malay is the origin of Tagalog. (!!) I am getting to know Bisayan and I speak it fairly well, they say. However, I need to know more other dialects of tbe Philippines, read more about Malayo- Polynesian languages, to have my library here for reference books that I do not have now, and consult other grammars that others have written. This is not possible for me while I am here where I lack everything and yet I have the conceit and the pretension to write a Tagalog grammar which, if it cannot be better than the published ones, at least should offer something more than they. This is the reason why I am not yet publishing my grammar. My ambition is to raise a monument to my native tongue. Ihave the project, but I lack the materials and the instruments.

Concerning your query about the Tagalog of Sinibaldo de Mas, what I have seen and translated when I was in London, I will give you first a literal translation of yours and then I will give you the free translation:

Aming (amig)-We (possessive kami) itapat - place in front, agreed, settled sa katuirang (katuirag) - to the right utos - orderipinatotohanan - was certified ang (ag) pinagkayarian natin - what was agreed upon by us (possessive tayo) ang (ag) pagkatotoo nito ... - the certainty of this ...

Free Translation: In accordance with the just order we made of record the truth of what was agreed upon between us and the truth of this ...

Ipinatotohanan (o must sound like u) that is, ipinatutuhanan as you know very well has for its root tutoló, meaning certain, true, sure, Latin tutus. From where did this word come? Is it the contraction of the Bisayan tutoló, three times? The reduplication of two dental consonants is found in various languages as an expression of certainty: That (German) testis (witness) tatlo (Tagalog 3 = number 3) is the expression of the truth in many languages = Ipinatutuhanan is the passive form of the past tense of ipatutoo: ipa is prefix which means to make, to order. Concerning this prefix, I wrote three years ago in my essay on the Tagalog verb the following:

Passive suffixes:

ika - ipa - ipag

These three prefixes follow the same rules for the formation of the tenses. For the past tense they take the suffix in after the ik, ip; for the future tense they reduplicate the first syllable of the radical and for the present tense the past is combined with the future. Past Future Present

ikapatay ikinapatay ikabili ikinabilí ikabibilí ikinabibilí

ipapatay ipinapatay ipapápatay ipinapápatay

ipagbukas ipagbukas ipagbubukas ipinagbubukás

(Rizal, Estudios sobre la lengua tagala. Dedicated to Father Francisco Sánchez, 2 April 1893.)

If I have time and opportunity, I am thinking of making a careful study of the writings of the Mangyan and seek its translation. Perhaps I may be able to tell you something about them. I protest against what Dr. Foy says to my g that it is irreführend (misleading). Please communicate with this worthy gentleman - to whom on the other hand I am grateful for mentioning my name - that I have reflected for some time on the substitution that he makes of n for the g. I do not know Sanskrit or the reason of the scholars of Sanskrit for adopting the n as the transcription of the nasal guttural. If I have proposed the g, it is to follow the spirit of the Tagalogs and the history of their writing in the forms of mga and ngwhich are pronounced mag and nag. In the first form the n does not exist and in the second the n is undoubtedly what remains of the first consonant of the syllable. Confirming my suspicion at the time, now comes my knowledge of the Bisayan in which many times the form agwith nasal sound is converted into ag wich soft guttural sound. Thus they say ag ako and ag ako, (what is mine). It seems to me then that one must not lose sight of the guttural in the transcription of this genuinely guttural sound. The n, with the permission of Dr. Foy, seems to me more irreführend, because it is a nasal dental, which already makes vary the kind of consonants, besides making very difficult the explanation of the grammatical transformations as I have pointed out above in the Bisayan. We have the historical brief forms of mga and ng, genuine transcriptions of the ancient Tagalog characters that might perhaps be - and - (2). If we should follow Dr. Foy's suggestion, we would have to transcribe these characters into mna and nn which will not be accepted by my countrymen for it does not simplify but makes more difficult writing and reading. Morever, the Roman writting of the Japanese uses the g in similar cases - g that at times sounds soft, at times nasal. Arigató(thanks) is pronounced arigató and arigato or arinató as Foy likes. My proposal of the g seems to me then natural, more in conformity with the language, the history, and the spirit of my people, and topography. Dr. Foy does not say why it is irreführend; on the contrary, Pardo de Tavera has accepted it and numerous Tagalogs and Bisayans write now according to my orthography and find nothing confusing about it. On the contrary, they find that writing has been rationlized. I protest then against the irreführend with all respect. Concerning the transcription of vas w, I find no advantage except that it saves ink and time. If I have proposed the w, it is to be consistent. If the v consonant represents two i's, the w consonant ought to represent also two u's, that is, w. Besides, the v already has the Spanish sound for the Tagalogs, while the w is a relatively new consonant and cnnsequently it is easier for it to provide a sound whose transcription needs to be fixed. For these reasons, I favor the w, a consonant used also by the Japanese in similar cirumstances due to English. To give to the v the sound of w may be correct in Sanskrit but it is confusing to us who know Spanish, French, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and many Chinese languages in which the v has a different sound from the consonant u. I repeat then that respecting Sanskrit, the v for w has no more advantage than the saving of time and ink - a stroke of the pen and a twentieth of a second less. I still support my proposed orthography, whose use is extending every time and in which my Tagalog grammar will appear.

As to the name of the priestess, we have much to talk about; that is, to rectify. My opinion on this point is not yet crystallized. Everything is still dIsintegrated, but give me time and rest and my opinion will be formed and crystallized. It is enough for you to know that among the Subanos the religious rites for the dead are called balian, balean, balayan (ai is contracted into e, balayan = balean; e is converted into i; balean = balian. I will look up balay. If they would let me live among the Subanos for a few months, I could say something about these rituals. It can be that they may have given to the officiating person the name of the office. They assure me that the cerernony is called balian. Right here, in the midst of Bisayanismo, what Bisayan the missionaries speak! Beware! What forms do they preserve! Later the result will be a curious thing - written Bisayan will be different from the spoken Bisayan, as Ciceronian Latin is different from vulgar Latin. I have a Bisayan dictionary by Father Encarnación; how many errors it has! You are right in doubting the meaning of mag anito; it is putting the cart before the horse, as they say familiarly. They have given the name of the sacrifice to the sacrificers. The same thing happens to me as to you with respect to igueines. Cite to me the text and let us see if we get something from it.

Thanks for your valuable information on the baking of bricks.

Concerning lanao or lanaw. You say that it also means "to make superstitions in order to see under the water the one who stole something." I suppose it may be mag lanaw and in this case it seems to me possible, but does not alter its meaning of lake. What they call superstition - for the priests, everything that is not Catholic is superstitious - must be the ancient custom of subjecting the suspected thieves to the water test, as fotmerly in Europe, to the fire test. Here it is warm and there it is cold. The accused were made to dive grasping at a cane or a pole, and the first who drew out his head from the water was considered the culprit. Physiological explanation: The heart of one who is afraid beats more rapidly and violently and to the greater number of heart beats corresponds the greater number of respirations and hence the impossibility of staying under water for a long time. This case of maglanaw means to make that of the water, to try that of the lake, a figurative verb. In Tagalog maglanaw means to spill, to cover with water, to make a lake.

You ask me for the meaning of Dapitan and I take this opportunity to give you a careful answer. I have the presumption to tell you I am your right man for that. Yes, dear friend, Dapitan has its meaning and certainly a historic one. I have historical documents that two months ago I deposited in the Museo Biblioteca de Manila so that they might not be lost in my poor hut. One of them, dated 7 July 1818 and signed by Mr. Fernando Man. de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda - the governor general who was assassinated - speaks of Dapitan and its founders. It was founded by "Lagubayan, who was a principal citizen, first of the towns of Bohol, Baclayon, Mansasan, and Dawis and later, in the serro(3) of Mindanao - today it is called Ilihan where a poor barn stands - to which he repaired with eight hundred families on account of the treachery committed against his sister Doña Ilison by the natives. He became the lord of the Subanos and the terror of the whole Moroland ... When the first Spaniards arrived at Dapitan, he received them with love and charity and he dismissed the ambassadors of Ternate saying that he did not want any other friendship than that of the new men who had arrived at his land. And assuming as marvelous wonders the Indios were to the Spaniards and the Spaniards to the Indios, he gave them pilots and guides who took them to the chief named Catunas he had left in Bohol and from there took them to Cebú where they had established their first base, and to this fourth grandfather of the petitioner and to all the rest of his descendants the King our Lord owed the pacification of these islands ..."

This document is authentic with the seal of Mr. Bustamante and I bought it from the descendants of Lagubayan, now sunk in abject poverty. These documents, as I said, were deposited by me in the Museo Biblioteca de Manila. As it can be seen, Dapitan was founded by Boholanos before or after the coming of the first Spaniards. The name Dapitan means a place of rendezvous or meeting-place, of 800 families.Dapit in Bisayan means "to invite" - Dapitan, place to which 800 families were invited. This is the tradition of the name Dapitan.

I have great pleasure in furnishing you all the information you may wish concerning superstitions, usages, customs, etc. Ask me and if I know, I will answer you.

I salute from here those who are learning to dance and the others the same, the same. Today, Easter, I pick three roses from the tree I planted and send their petals to you; they are small for they are somewhat wild. How I miss the healthful cold of Mitteleuropa! How much I wish to breathe the perfume of the pines.

Your friend and brother who sends to your family the purest aspirations of his heart. José Rizal I have received your post card with Prosit.

I cannot refrain from making some comments on page 14-15 of Mangianenschrift von Mindoro. It says Read:

Saan ca ma Saan ka man paroon (Wherever you paroon may go.)

Cami uala Kami walag pagkabuhay pagkabohay

ma quita Makita

Uala cayo Wala kamig makain macain mag utus ng makakayanan

at tomatalagá (Command what may be at tomalagá possible for he is ready.)

Z. 3 is in pagkabova ... etc. pagkabuhay Z. 5 There is no need of making ... ma what is ... na In the original it is very good: nakita mo ng ami(g) kalgaya(n). There is no mistake. This phrase means: You saw our situation. (Literally, seen by you our situation.)

Kalagayan is substantive of lagay. Amin, our; the substantive is placed before; namin, our is placed after; amig kalagayan, our situation; kalagayan (na amin) namin, our situation (that our).

Tomatalagá is right as tomalagá.

I have many things more to say on this magnificent work of Messrs. Meyer and Schadenberg and Foy, whom I admire and congratulate, but I have no more time at present. José Rizal 210. Rizal, en route to Spain, 28 September 1896 Rizal en route to Spain to join the army in Cuba is arrested in his cabin for alleged complicity in the Philippine insurrection - Will be returned to Manila for trial - Tells Blumentritt what happened to him. S. S. Isla de Panay, Mediterranean

28 September 1896 My very dear Friend, A passenger on board has just told me a news that I can hardly believe and should it be true, would bring to an end the prestige of Philippine authorities.

You will remember that last year you notified me that physicians were lacking in Cuba, that many soldiers were dying without medical assistance. Instantly I presented myself to the authorities applying for the post of temporary physician for the duration of the campaign. Months and months elapsed and in view of the fact that I did not receive any reply, I started to build a wooden house and a hospital and thus earn my livelihood in Dapitan. On 30 July I received a letter from the governor general of the folowing tenor:

The Governor General of the Philippines Manila, 1 July I896 Mr. José Rizal My dear Sir, I have informed the government of your desire, and acceding to it, it has no objection to your going to Cuba to render your services to our Army as Assistant Physician in the Corps of Military Health. Therefore, if you still entertain that idea, the Politico-Military Commander of that district will issue a pass to you to enable you to come to this Capital City where in my turn I shall give you a passport to the Peninsula where the Minister of War will assign you to the Army of Operations in Cuba as assistant in the Corps of Military health.

On this date I am writing to the Politico-Military Commander there and you can make the trip immediately.

It has been a satisfaction for me to have been able to please you.

Your attentive servant who kisses your hand, Ramon Blanco

This letter upset my plans, for I was not thinking of going anymore to Cuba in view of the fact that more than six months had already elapsed since I filed my application; but fearing that they might attribute to something else if I should now refuse to go, I decided to abandon everything and depart immediately. I went then to Manila with my entire family, leaving behind all my business. Unfortunately, I did not overtake the mail boat for Spain and fearing that my stay in Manila for one month might bring me troubles, I made known to the governor general my desire to be isolated from evervbody except my family while I was waiting on board. Whether due to this or something else the governor general sent me to the cruiser Castilla where I stayed incommunicado except with my family. During this interval, serious disturbances occur in Manila - disturbances that I regret - but which serve to show that I am not the one, as they believe, who stirs things. My absolute innocence has been demonstrated as can be seen in the two letters of introduction in his own writing to the ministers of war and colonies that the governor has given me as well as the accompanying letter which says:

The Commander-in-Chief of the Army oF the Philippines

Mr. José Rizal My dear Sir,

Enclosed are two letters for the Ministers of War and Colonies which I think will be well received.

I have no doubt that you will justify me before the Government by your future behavior not only for your word of honor but because the present happenings must have shown you palpably that certain actions which are the product of foolish ideas yield no other result but hatred, destruction, tears, and blood.

May you be very happy is the wish of your attentive servant who kisses your hand,

Ramon Blanco

Manila, 30 August

The texts of the two letters of introduction are identical and I shall copy only one:

The Captain General of the Philippines Personal Manila, 30 August 1896

Most Excellent Marcelo de Azcárraga My esteemed General and distinguished Friend,

I recommend to you with genuine interest Dr. José Rizal who is departing fur the Peninsula at the disposal of the Government, ever desirous of rendering his services as physician to the Army in Cuba.

His conduct during the four years that he was an exile in Dapitan has been exemplary, and he is, in my opinion, the more worthy of pardon and benevolence as he is in no way involved either in the chimerical attempt that we are lamenting these days or in any conspiracy or secret society, that they have been plotting.

With this object I have the pleasure to remain, Your most affectionate friend and colleague who kisses your hand, Ramón Blanco

The letter of recommendation to the Minister of Colonies is identical.

With these two letters I have come, confident that I would go to Cuba to win a name and undo calumnies. Now they tell me that they are sending me to Ceuta!!(1)

I cannot believe this for it would be the greatest injustice and the most abominable infamy, unworthy not of a military official but of the last bandit. I have offered to serve as a physician, risking life in the hazards of war and abandoning all my business. I am innocent and now in reward they are sending me to prison!!!

I cannot believe it! This is infamous, but if it turns out to be true, as everybody assures me, I am communicating to you these news so that you may appraise my situation. Yours,

José Rizal

211. Rizal, Fort Santiago, Manila, 29 December 1896 Farewell of the Martyr to his favorite friend

Prof. Fernando Blumentritt

My dear Brother,

When you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am

innocent of the crime of rebellion.

I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.

Adieu, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me!

Fort Santiago, 29 December 1896 José Rizal

Regards to the whole family, to Sra. Rosa, Lolena, Conradito, and Federico.

I leave a book for you as my remembrance.

https://www.univie.ac.at/ksa/apsis/aufi/rizal/rbcorr.htm