Leitmeritz
Joy on receiving a letter of Rizal — Will send Rizal children’s stories and photographs — Rizal is regarded with suspicion in his own country — He knows Captain General Terrero personally and Rizal has nothing to fear for Terrero is a gentleman — A letter of Minister Balaguer.
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18 October 1887
Greetings from Leitmeritz
Dear Friend,
Upon my return from class today, at 12:00, my wife came to meet me, saying with great joy: “A letter of Rizal has arrived!” Hurriedly I opened the envelope and read your esteemed letter. For a long time I have not had such great joy I as already very much worried about your well-being; in my dreams I saw you ill. However, thank God, you are well. My anxiety over not having news of you for a long time showed me how much I love you. My good friend, we are very happy that your beloved parents and relatives think of us fondly; convey to them my affectionate greetings. In order that you may make known to your young relatives the stories of the children of my people, I shall send you one of these days Hebbels’ Schatkastlein and the fairy tales of Musaeus. You can translate them into Tagalog and the children will rejoice.
Joy excited me so much that for a long time I could not eat. Immediately after having eaten, I went hurriedly to see my old friend Dr. Czepelack (whose picture you must have already received in the meantime). He loves you so much that he made me read your letter. From his sickchair he sends you a thousand regards. As you like our children so much, I shall have Loleng and the two boys photographed expressly for you. I believe you will receive the pictures during the Christmas season. I shall have Loleng photographed wearing the lace collar from the Philippines (a kind of candonga?) that was sent me by the good Labhart who unfortunately has died. Today I send you my photograph; it is not new but a new edition of a picture taken in 1886 when I had more hair than now. I await with joy the moment when Eysert shall finish my oil portrait. Probably that painting will be sent to you by . . . because our mutual friend Viola will sail from Barcelona on . . . . month for our dear Philippine Islands on board the steamship Isla de Luzón.
I’m very sorry that a man so loyal as you are should be regarded with suspicion in his own country; you have not committed any crime. But the Most Excellent Captain General Terrero is a gentleman and I don’t fear for you. In the event that you present your respects to His Excellency, don’t forget to present mine also.
Also I beg you to transmit a thousand regards from me to the Very Reverend Father Ricart and to the Very Reverend Jesuit Fathers. I would be very glad to receive you soon a letter from the good Fr. Ricart.
Today I can’t write you a long letter because I’m so very excited by my joy that I can’t remain seated a long time. I walk about a great deal and talk with my good wife about you and Viola.
The Most Excellent Minister Balaguer has written me (Madrid, 22 September) the following:
“I’m very much pleased that a person so justly respected as you and who shows so much fondness for the Spanish possessions in the Far East has applauded the realization of an idea [Colonial Museum of Manila] which I have cherished for a long time in my mind, always full of goodwill to achieve the advancement and well-being of the Philippines. Spain ought to bring to those isolated regions the vital influence of European civilization and all of us ought to contribute toward their opening to the manifestations of progress. You have done it by devoting to the Philippines your affection and conscientious studies, and the minister of overseas colonies with great pleasure takes the opportunity that your letter offers him to felicitate cordially the author of some valuable books to whom a most competent jury in Spain has just awarded a gold medal.”
This letter has given me great satisfaction because it shows that the Most Excellent Balaguer sympathizes with my love for the Philippines.
Don’t forget to grant me the authorization to translate your Tagalog novel. According to the laws in force in Austria and Germany, I don’t need any authorization, but it is better to have it.
You can tell by my handwriting that I can’t write anymore.
A thousand regards and kisses from all of us!
Your faithful friend,
F. Blumentritt
01-270 [Family]