London
18 August 1888
My dear Friend
Many thanks for your kindness in having sent me the analytical criticism of the blessed Fr. Font. What a father and what a criticism. If the author of the novel had to be responsible for the sayings of his characters, holy God, to what end would we come! Because, following this system, the opinions of Fr. Damaso would be mine, the manners of the alferez mine, the piety of Capitan Tiago mine. Fr. Font ought to remember a little rhetoric which says that a novel is a type of prose fiction in which characters speak and also the author. It is evident that the author is responsible only for the words that he says are his and the events and circumstances will justify the sayings of the characters, otherwise it would be a tiquis miquis[1] if the different opinions of the characters are attributed to the author.
The news that Noticiero Universal[2] publishes smack of friar origin. Whether they are true or not, a fact always shines through them and it is that the country is beginning to manifest her hatred of the friars and civil guards, and as I believe having said, they will be the wick, the casus belli.[3]
Please send me by mail two or three copies of the Noli, if it is possible and if I still have there some funds, for I am going to begin the continuation. Try to send to Manila as many copies as you can they sell well there. It is understood that you will get one-half of the sale there.
I am very busy these days for I am working ad majorem Phil. gloriam.[4]
When I begin writing the continuation, then I shall have my picture taken in order to send you my photographia or fotografia. I get from the English the writing of ph.
The new Tagalog orthography that we are using is perfectly in accord with the ancient writing and with the Sanskrit origin of many Tagalog words as I have found out through my research in the British Museum. Adopt it. Pedro Serrano has already published a note in this new orthography and he will publish a dictionary.
The Filipino colony here, already small, has been further diminished by the departure for Manila of friend Cornelio Anelle,[5] his wife and children.
It is provable that I may go there.
I greet you all affectionately,
Rizal
04-324 [Blumentritt V.1]
[1] That is, ridiculous, absurd.
[2] A Barcelona periodical that publishes a column of news from the Philippines.
[3] That is, the justification for a war.
[4] To the greater glory of the Philippines. An adaptation of the Jesuit motto ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God).
[5] A Manila businessman.