1 November 1892

Leitmeritz, Austria

Hoping his letter was delivered to Rizal – The friars should allow him to console the sorrowful Rizal – He also forgives the insults against him – “…we do know if the condition of a Filipino exile is as deplorable as that of a Russian.” – Loleng, a lover of Spanish and Tagalog – Rizal should write a Tagalog grammar in his exile – Picture of Subano – Before the statue of Prometheus of Rizal – And the Triumph of Knowledge over Death – An Ilongot catechism.

* * *

Leitmeritz, Austria

1 November 1892

Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt

Dr. Jose Rizal

My very dear Friend,

I do not know if the letter I wrote you upon receiving the dreadful news of your deportation had reached your hands. I hope they had delivered it to you, for even the Turks allow exiles to receive letters and as the Spaniards are not Turks and always talk of their own generosity, nobility, and other qualities, I do not believe they had confiscated my letter, unless they would like to prove that that generosity and that nobility, etc. do not exist in reality and are a myth for which a Chinese would not give even a farthing. And as in the Philippines a tree leaf does not fall without the permission of the friars, I am convinced that the friars will permit that this letter be delivered to you for they ought to know that if I write you a few lines, I do so in fulfillment of the fifth work of mercy which requires us to console the sorrowful, and I do not expect that the friars would prevent me from fulfilling such a sacred duty of a Catholic. And in view of the insults against me that writers paid by the convents publish, I practice also another work of mercy, the fourth: To forgive the insults.

I and the whole family always think of you; the news that they treat you humanely inspires us a little confidence for we have no direct news from you and we do know if the condition of a Filipino exile is as deplorable as that of a Russian.

My family is in good health. Loleng is studying Spanish and when she has learned that, she will take up Tagalog, although this study will be very difficult for my little daughter.

And as I talk about Tagalog, I am going to suggest to you that during your exile you devote your time to the preparation of a Tagalog grammar. You promised it to me when you were in free Europe but your other pursuits did not permit you to fulfill that promise. There is no one in the Philippines with your talents, your knowledge. Moreover you are a son of the Tagalog nation, so that no one better than you can provide your people and the whole Malayan world with a grammar of the Tagalog language. All the Tagalog grammars prepared by the friars have their particular and special merits, but their authors were not Tagalogs and besides they did not have the great general linguistic knowledge that made you shine in the circle of French, English, Dutch, German, and Austrian orientalists. So I beg you to do it, because with it, not only will you tender incalculable service to your mother country, to your people and to the scientific world, but also you will overcome the sad reflections that always fill the mind of an exile.

And if the commander will permit you, I ask you to photograph a Subano, for until now I have not had the pleasure of seeing a picture or photograph of a representative of that peaceful and attractive Mindanao people. Painting or sketching is a pastime that will enable you to forget a little you misfortune. In my study room is the statue of Prometheus sculptured by your masterly hand. I always look at that statue with an inexpressible sadness. It was a prophecy of your destiny or fatum.[1] But beside her is placed another, also done by you: he Triumph of Knowledge over Death. Its aspect consoles me; let them kill you; exoriare aliquis ex ossibus tuis ultor,[2] and those noble ideas that always inspired you will triumph,

Now I have finished a very special work that kept me very busy: I have copied an old manuscript containing a catechism of the Christian Doctrine in the Ilongot language written by a Franciscan friar. I studied very much that catechism, a difficult thing because until now there has not been published any grammar, any dictionary of this Philippine language. But finally I came to understand it by comparing it with the Tagalog and now it is already in press to be published next month, I shall have the greatest pleasure to send you the first copy that comes out of the press.

Well, this year is slipping from our hands and being almost on the eve of beginning another one, I take pleasure in reiterating to you the affectionate and fond wishes for your health, tranquility, and contentment of the entire BLumentritt family. May God grant that the justice and generosity of European Spain liberate your from your exile!

Your fraternal friend embraces you,

Fernando Blumentritt

04-764 [Misc.]