3 November 1894

Prague

Prague, 3 November 1894

MR. JOSE RIZAL

VERY DISTINGUISHED SIR,

My friend Don Fernando[1] of Leitmeritz gave me your address. He spoke to me so much about you, he showed me your publications, your magnificent sculptures, in a word, he made me your admirer, in such a way that in writing you (with your permission) I could treat you as an old acquaintance of mine. And what attracts me most towards you is that, being a lover of Spain, I see in you a noble representative of colonial Spain.

I am very sorry that until now it is not possible for me to leave Europe and see that tropical paradise of which I dreamed in my youth. I know fairly well European Spain indeed. This year, 1894, I made my sixth trip to the mountain ridge of Cuenca (between Aragon and Castilla) and of Guadalupe. As I took along with me a small camera, I send you enclosed some views I took. They are: l. Valley of the Jucar River in the mountain ridge; 2. Valley near Cuenca; and 3. The Church of the Geronimitos in Guadalupe.

In my trip I look for and catch butterflies, locusts, and blowflies to complete my entomological collection that includes species from all over the world. In 1884 I published in German a treatise on the butterflies of the Island of Nias, which lies near Sumatra. I have the honor to send you, my very distinguished sir, a copy of my work. My other publications are scattered in various entomological periodicals.

My friend Mr. Fernando must have already told you that I should like to have a number of Mindanao butterflies. Some weeks ago I received from Hofrath Meyer of Dresden a small collection of samples that I owe to your kindness, my dear Sir. They were 31 samples with pins that arrived in bad condition. Of course, the handling of butterflies requires a certain attention. The principal thing is to catch other fresh samples whose wings are not in the least flayed. It is also necessary to have good nets. And once caught the butterflies are not held down with pins but placed in paper bags. I take the liberty right now to send you in a little tin box:

(l) Two nets and (2) some paper bags of various sizes, by way of sample, filled with natural butterflies, though damaged ones. The paper bags are for the purpose of showing how the butterflies are inserted in them.

I request you to please have some of your assistants make me a collection of Mindanao butterflies so that I can publish a Fauna of Mindanao similar to the Fauna of Nias.

By way of a little experiment you can return to me this little box filled with any kind of butterflies in paper bags, caught with one of the nets. I shall pay you or send you the payment in any form you like for all the expenses incurred and all that I owe you. Basis of equivalence: 25 samples in good condition are worth one duro (five pesetas).

I am addressing these lines across the sea, almost to the antipodes.

These lines will reach your hands, God willing, at the end of this year. For this reason, I already felicitate you in advance; may the next year be very profitable to you, may the relations between Dapitan and Prague grow in 1895.

I remain your most devoted servant who kisses your hand.

NAPOLEON M. KEIHL

Remittance:

l. Photograph

2. Book, Butterflies of Nias, under separate cover.

3. Little tin box containing

4. Two nets

5. Papers with butterflies.

04-830 [Misc.]