Paris
Mrs. Rosa de Blumentritt compliments Rizal with a tablecloth — Rizal will model Blumentritt’s bust — It is folly to portray all the Peninsular Spaniards as angels.
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33 Passage Saulnier, Paris
28 March 1889
Dear Friend,
Only yesterday I received your esteemed letter with the beautiful gift of your good wife. I have crossed the English Channel three, rather four times, and my trips have caused confusion in my things, mail, etc. Thanks! Many thanks! I will place the cloth under my lamp to remind me of dear Mrs. Blumentritt when I work at night. Unfortunately I have left in London the water-color painting of Dr. Czepelack, as I am planning to go back there; otherwise, I would have here my Bohemian museum!
If you would like to lend me several photographs or pictures of yourself I would make your bust which can be baked here. The photographs should be of various poses. I shall return them to you. I left at home your photographs that I have. Do me this favor so that you will have something of my art, for we do not know what may happen to us.
I do not know if I should write Desengaños. I am not enraged with all Spaniards. In my work there are noble and honorable Spaniards, like the governor general, Lieutenant Guevara, and Mr. Tiburcio himself. There are also bad Indios, worse even than various Spaniards. My adversaries would like me to portray the Peninsular Spaniards like angels and the Filipinos like stupid men, without drawing distinctions. This is not only folly but also an imitation of Spanish writers, and I do not do this. There are persons who enjoy grumbling or backbiting but they are resentful when they hear the truth.
On account of the change in climate I have been sick.
My sincerest thanks to good Mrs. Blumentritt.
I embrace you.
Yours,
Rizal
03-380 [Reformists]