1 April 1887

Madrid

He regrets Lopez Jaena’s hurry in informing Rizal of dissension among the Filipinos – Lopez Jaena resents he was not chosen editor of the publication España en Filipinas – He is glad Rizal is pleased with the review.

* * *

Madrid, 1 April 1887

My dear Friend,

I have before me your esteemed letter dated the 21st of March. I congratulate myself for having dispelled through my preceding extensive letter your preoccupation and grief over the most saddening dissension you believed existed in the colony at Madrid due to races and color of epidermis. No! Fortunately, my friend, and in asserting that you had been painfully surprised at the bad faith of some of the dissidents, far from wishing to accuse you of levity, far from ignoring that you even had reason to believe such preposterous charges as those, not only for the seriousness of the misfortune that they denounced (that the heart is inclined to fear and expect) but because I am aware that you learned about the affair only through Graciano and Rojas as you confirm, and who went ahead to inform you with the haste of one who wants to give a surprise, the first impression, which is the most effective, far, I say, from that, I only regret having seen my suspicions confirmed.

For the rest, you yourself confess having felt a great weight in the heart on account of that unexpected news. On the other hand I ought to tell you (and I believe that the others will agree with me) that having a tranquil conscience with regard to the unity and good understanding among all countrymen, never did I think of hurrying to make everybody see the truth of the happenings on the matter, all the more because although I suspected those who acted so badly toward the colony here, I could not convince myself, until I had seen it done, that the wicked intention of such fellows would reach the extreme that it did. I cannot help but regret (and I am sincere) the vexation and its consequences, of the….the first news of the life of the magazine….had known that it was born at the expense of a grave and transcendental division among the Filipinos. At Paris nobody has yet replied to Julio’s invitation. Who knows why? But truth will always triumph.

I appreciate the good opinion that you have of me. I do not say I have influence; but if I have any, I use it on those who at least show themselves to be a little reasonable. You already know how Graciano has acted on this occasion and how we have acted toward him, even begging him. I am the first to regret that the majority or rather the colony does not count with his strength, capacity, and aptitudes; but what can you expect from one who had ended by saying that all displeasure and soreness consisted of not having been appointed editor of the magazine, inasmuch as neither Regidor nor Govantes nor La Serna had been appointed (because they did not want to) whom he says he considers sincerely and modestly to have precedence over him for that position? Rights, privileges!….Yes, that Graciano has rendered very good services and has talent and is active, but….why go on? It is painful to go down to trifles. Let him justify himself when….he sacrifices and despises every personal interest and design on the altar of patriotism and comradeship, and of compatriotism, etc. Well, and the patriotism and comradeship of R….? Perhaps Sanciangco can give you information on it. He has already gone to Manila. So…they wrote you that there was a schism and that the mestizos were to blame for it? What a word in the mouth or from the pen of the genuine Filipinos and hurl it in the face when they preach against divisions! How progressive we are! That there should exist among us political unity, if…not personal friendship; that though we may hate one another personally, we should defend united the common cause; that we have too many enemies outside: why should there be also within the bosom of the colony. Who does not know this by heart? Such advantages cannot be concealed from the talent of the very same G….but they do not suit him or L….to hear with the rest the perusal of your letter by Julio. After it had been read, all said….to move on to the beet saloon (where G….and L….had gone as if saying, “that is not for us,” that shoe were the ones who seem to ignore what friend R….says about the disadvantages of internal strife. The perusal of your letter, as it was natural, pleased everybody. Besides the reader, Melecio, Rosario, Albert, Rivera, and I were there and all your paragraphs were received with signs of assent as we looked at one another as if questioning ourselves when we learned that it delighted you to see the name of Julio in the magazine which assured that though that organ of ours might even be weak, it could not be treacherous. That there was on in the young colony that can assume its political direction is undoubted. No one has the capacity for so great a post, and I doubt if there or among the older element exists that Moses, considering the education that the country has received and receives. In case the country knows or understands politics a little more than its mere name, it will be passive or patient politics. We wait for our leader who will emerge if that is fate, fill of such prestige that all will follow him unquestioningly. In the meantime and for the very reason that he has not emerged, let no one undertake to lead, but instead altogether adopt an attitude or policy and follow it. There are divergences, there is no understanding, the gathering is dissolved, and there is no common course, and everyone follows his own path.

I am glad that the review pleases you more each time from the third issue: the editorial, the Philippine press, pardons, and the 20….of Govantes and the undeveloped countries, of L Serna, aside from the write-up interview by the proper and modest D’Ayot. Praise to Thee, God! Am very glad that your novel is finished. Let us see when we shall have the pleasure of relishing it. I pray God that it may decide your fate to your taste inasmuch as it depends upon it. Of course La Serna is a precious acquisition for the review because he is very worthy. Del Pan is already in Manila.

The Leon-Julio case is deplorable from every point of view; and it is very regrettable, my friend, and I deplore it, that our countrymen allowed the matter to reach the extreme that it did. This cannot be indirect because it cannot be direct for which reason I ought to tell you, so that you may be well acquainted with the case and you may not entertain illusions, that recognizing that you have settled and can settle amicably analogous personal affairs, and more serious than this insignificant one, I assure you that not even God could have settled this for the simple reason: 1st that there was a third party of perverse intention; and in the 2nd place neither Julio nor I wanted any other settlement except the stick that Julio was already to wield as a warning to the dissidents. What was regrettable was….Castellanos that Leon appointed as his representative prevented the thing. I had instructions not to give in for anything. Farewell, dear friend, may you keep in good health, and may you recover spiritual peace, commanding always your very affectionate,

Cauit

I send you a copy of La Guardia’s bills and a clipping about the Penal Code which they say is by Manuel Regidor.

02-216 [Blumentritt V.1]

1887. 04. 13 Berlin

From: Jose Rizal

To: Ferdinand Blumentritt

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.

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71 Jaegerstrasse, Berlin

13 April 1887

Esteemed Friend,

Many thanks for your previous 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 acts 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 stipulate these Philippine studies which are like the nosce te impsum[3] 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 Audencia! 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 Baren wilde Wohnung war,

Zu einem Sitz für Meschen umgewandelt;

Die Brut des Drachen haben wir gebotet.[5] . . .

And 24 stanzas more!

Our youth should not devote themselves to love or to 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 the 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 don’t 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 people — but perhaps your children may father the fruit of what the father planted.

My compatriot and I greet you affectionately,

José Rizal

02-217 [Blumentritt V.1]

1887. 04. 24 Berlin

From: Jose Rizal

To: Ferdinand Blumentritt

The return home — “To leave Berlin when now it pleases me most . . .” — Rizal’s father is anxious to see him — Sorry to leave Europe — “I’ll be more useful in my country . . . .” — Bids Blumentritt farewell — “To admire Berlin in spring . . . .” — “If I could receive periodicals I would not feel there as if banished from my scientific mother country.” — The catechisms of Weber — “In Manila, only pleasant things are read, utile dulcissimo!”

* * *

Jaegerstrasse, Berlin

24 April 1887

Esteemed Friend,

At last frigid winter is over. Today we have had 15 degrees of warmth and the trees are beginning to be clothed with green leaves. I hope that that is also the case in your country, because within a few days I’ll leave Berlin with my countryman en route to the Philippines, and I should like to pass through that town to bid you farewell. I’m really sorry to leave Berlin because it is now that I like Berlin best. I have met some kind families and now precisely I have to say to them goodbye forever! I’ll return to my country because my father has already forgiven me and I have permission to return home. This day (today the letter arrived) is for me a day of glory! Rejoice with me! But, despite everything, I feel a sweet melancholy for having to leave the beautiful, free, cultured, and civilized Europe; but I’ll be more useful in my country than here. Here nobody needs me. If in my country I could maintain my relations with the good German scholars, if I could receive some good periodicals of civilized Europe, then I would not feel there in my native land like an exile from the scientific mother country.

Soon we shall see each other and talk of everything. I’ll follow your advice. We shall arrive there on Thursday. I don’t know yet if we shall start from here at the beginning of May or later. We want to admire Berlin in spring; so we are waiting until the trees turn green and bloom. I’ll inform you of my arrival one week in advance so that you can change on time your Thursday or Friday lecture. But I beg you not to make any change in your manner of living. I should like to know the authentic Bohemian life.

The translation of Waitz[9] has remained incomplete, but I’ll ask my bookseller if he can get me a loose volume of the work. My family expects me about June or July.

I find your advice concerning the catechisms of Weber proper and practical, especially if I could embellish them a little, because in my country they like to read only pleasant things— utile dulcissimo! I admire the academicians of the German scientific societies who remain seated for hours listening to most boresome lectures without relaxing, without losing their patience. In Madrid that would be incredible.

Dr. Olshausen has asked me for some explanations about my Noli. It is not easy to tell him of the content of the book as he is not acquainted with our conditions. Will you permit me to tell him something of your opinion of the work? Dr. Reiss also congratulated me, but he does not know our country as well as you do.

Your advices on how to protect our health in the different seasons are very useful because the weather is very changeable. My countryman[10] (who greets you affectionately) caught a catarrh as a result of our excursion to Charlottenburg.

With my best greetings I wish you a beautiful spring, health, and joy.

Yours,

Rizal

05-218 [100 Letters]