Leitmeritz, Austria
24 January 1890
Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt
My Brother,
I have just received your letter of the 24th; it is wonderfully written. In truth, it is an article that ought to be published. Unfortunately your observations on the abuse of religion are to the point and exact. Thus, as with precious gold and magnificent diamonds men can be induced to abandon the path of virtue [and] so are the greatest crimes committed in the name of religion. This will always happen because Schiller says that “Man is made of vileness” and he is right.
Your observations have dealt a severe blow to my…
My admiration for… It is inconceivable that a man so erudite could go down so low. My God, is the Spanish world composed of nothing else but fanatics, madmen, ignoramuses, braggarts, and corrupt men?
When you go to Holland, the libraries of Leyden and Utrecht will offer you rich material for your studies. I shall write you more about this, [but] for the present just a few lines.
Desengaños [Retana] has written me! He fears that I will embarrass him by publishing his letters. Nevertheless, the tone of his letter is insolent. We Germans say that from the ox nothing can be expected but ox meat.
I am glad that my articles are liked by your compatriots. Lacalle is furious at my reply, but I cannot do anything else. We say in German that truth should be honored. I would gladly send you a copy but since La Solidaridad has been in Madrid, I receive only four copies, which are too many for me but not enough for those whom I send them. But I have written Pilar asking him to send me more copies.
I have no news of Viola for a long time. The friars are watching him, perhaps they steal his letters.
Father… has not written me again. Font is preparing a…against me. Maybe he will adopt for his theme Apage Satanas.[1] They will not get away without a reply. Neither he nor Barrantes and Lacalle.
Professor Dr. H. Schuchardt requests me to speak to you for him so that you would correct and put additions to his Español de Cocina.
I have not yet completely recovered my health.
An embrace from
Your
Blumentritt
03-492 [Reformists]
[1] “Get thee hence, Satan!