Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Austria
19 March 1890
Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt
My Brother,
Today is your saint’s day and although I come late with my good wishes, I am sure you will accept them as kindly as if they had come on time.
I have finished today my reply to Barrantes and I do not believe he will read my article with pleasure. I analyzed his stupidity in the same way that an anatomist dissects a cadaver. I wrote until six o’clock this evening because I did not wish to write one line more or one line less.
La Solidaridad has to be bothered until May with that Pag-Diwata Barrantes, but it is necessary, because the Filipinos should be given the satisfaction of seeing all the vacuity of that ignoramus, as you have already proclaimed in your articles. Barrantes will execrate our names.
I am very tired and exhausted, because for weeks I go nowhere except to school. My head aches and I can sleep little, but when I sleep I have pleasant dreams and I see the beautiful scenery of the Philippines where I go from one town to another, Day before yesterday I dreamed that I was in Calamba and I stayed at your house. Your mother brought me a cup of coffee and then I chatted with Paciano. It was a very vivid dream. Our country folks are wont to say that the souls of sleepers visit each other.
My good wife sends you a thousand greetings. Unfortunately she was not able to carry out her plan of embroidering you something for your feast day, as she was not able to do anything throughout the month of January on account of the influenza, and now she is sewing the spring dresses of our children. She hopes that this year you will make us happy again with your visit.
Every Sunday I visit the good Czepelack who always sends regards to “his” Rizal.
An embrace from your
Blumentritt
02-514 [Blumentritt V.2]