Stuttgart
Stuttgart, 24 April 1894
DR. JOSE RIZAL
Dapitan, Island of Mindanao
Philippines
SIR,
Although I do not have the honor of knowing you personally, I take the liberty of writing you because one of your friends in Europe whom I asked to suggest a correspondent in the Philippines directed me to you.
I should like to tell you why I want such a correspondent.
For a long time I have been engaged especially in the study of volcanoes and I publish an annual report not only on the eruptions but on everything that relates to the actual condition of volcanoes. My aim is to gather data for a future history of volcanoes.
Fortunately in several volcanic countries geologists have had the kindness to help me with information on the state of their volcanoes. The periodicals often give incomplete accounts and at times even incorrect ones.
On the Philippines, however, I have no information whatever, for in the magazines one rarely reads some views on the Mayon, the Taal, or some other smoking mountain in that archipelago so rich in volcanoes.
It is for this reason Sir, that I request you earnestly if you will have the kindness to help me a little in my publications by writing to me from time to time news of the condition of the volcanoes in Mindanao, Luzon, etc. For every information, however little it may be, I shall be grateful to you. A native of Amsterdam, Holland, Kingdom of the Netherlands, I am at present residing at Stuttgart, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany.
Hoping that you will have the kindness of favoring me with some reply. I offer you my respects and I remain your respectful servant,
S. KUTTLE.
Address:
Kerner Strasse No. 52
Stuttgart, Kingdom of Wurtemberg
Germany
05-817 [100 Letters]