19 October 1887

Kalamba

Popularity of Blumentritt’s letters among the family — A gymnasium hall in Kalamba — To diminish the people in the cockpit and the panguingue — German translation of Noli by Blumentritt — Many in Manila afraid of Rizal calling on their house — Did not visit Pardo who holds government commissions, may stain Pardo’s reputation — A German chauvinist is better than a man devoid of patriotism — Educated compatriots devoid of honor and shame — “These wish to ruin me and they spread false news about me. All I want is to do my duty and I close my eyes and ears.” — Rizal’s escort, lieutenant of the civil guard Mr. José Taviel de Andrade — Exchanging photographs and paintings — Continues to perform operations on patients.

* * *

Calamba, 19 October 1887

Dear Friend,

You cannot imagine the joy that your letters brought me. As soon as a letter of yours arrives, the whole family assembles to hear it. First, how the friendly German letter sounds and then the translation. Afterwards they ask many questions, but in general they are always the same: “How old is the Professor, his wife, and his children? How do they look and do the children already know how to speak German despite the fact that it is so difficult?” and so on.

Recently I received two letters and yesterday two post cards from you which were read twice. My family urges me to reply as soon as possible. The old man remarked: “The Professor writes you twice each mail and you at times do not write him once the whole month. What will he say of you?” For that reason, I give vacation to my patients and my gymnasium pupils and I write to engage in mental conversation for a few hours with my friend. May I tell you that I have popularized here physical exercises so that the gamblers, instead of going to the cockpit or sitting down at the panguingue table would come to the gymnasium to watch the exercises or join them. Through this means also some ailments were cured.

My family and I are very glad that you translated my novel into German. That is not only a satisfaction but also a great honor, because, thought I have a good opinion of myself, I do not believe having deserved such a thing. You no longer need to ask me permission to translate my works. You can do with them what you wish and be assured that it will give me joy. The second edition will be published with illustrations by a Filipino artist.[1]

I have not yet talked with Pardo de Tavera and Reyes.[2] I tried to see Reyes twice but I did not find him at his house; and when he came to see me neither was I at home. As many in Manila are afraid of my calls, I do not call anymore on Pardo. He holds government commissions and I would not wish to soil his white gloves with my hands that are strained for writing novels. These things happen in my country, but at heart we remain friends, at least so far as I am concerned.

I do not know how to express my gratitude to the esteemed Mr. Eysert. We are awaiting impatiently your portrait and we are already looking for the best place to put it. We hope we may receive it before Christmas. The best way to send it to us it to put it inside a cardboard tube and send it by registered mails. That is how Luna and I send our paintings and photographs.

With regard to German chauvinists, I prefer a chauvinist to a man with no love for his country, as there are some around here. In certain “educated” and “civilized” compatriots I find neither honor nor shame nor courage. These wish to ruin me and they spread false news about me. All I want is to do my duty and I close my eyes and ears. I have friends and enough good friends who help me forget this unpleasantness. I am going to translate the poem of Von Wildenrath into Tagalog.

Some weeks ago I sent you a cigarette lighter, a gold coin, and flowers. I hope they have not been lost on the way. Enclosed is a little drawing[3] of an excursion to Los Baños with the cultured and educated lieutenant of the civil guard Mr. José Taviel de Andrade. He belongs to a noble family, speaks English and French and knows drawing, but does not like to serve at all in the civil guard. It is said that once he told a superior of his: “You told me that I will form part of a decent institution and now I see that I have to live with some bandits.”

He praises highly the painting of Dr. Czepelack. I also began one,[4] but I was not satisfied with it. I will write him and the wife of the school councilor, but I shall have to go slowly because they are not so indulgent as you are who gloss over my mistakes.

All my patients are anemic. Recently I operated on a poor woman quite successfully. Tomorrow I shall operate on two cataracts.

My family sends regards to you and your family and I embrace you and say Hasta la vista![5]

Faithfully yours,

Rizal

03-272 [Reformists]