Barcelona
Blumentritt is translating into German Rizal’s Noli – Inquires about the meaning of sinigang mentioned in the novel – Blumentritt cultivates Balaguer’s friendship for the sake of Rizal – La Publicidad publishes a review of Noli – Mariano Ponce will also publish one.
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2-3rd Rabla de Canaletas, Barcelona
6 September 1887
My dear Friend Rizal,
Through your two letters I know that you have had no mishap in your voyage until the Strait of Malacca, as their “lordships,” including Blumentritt, have always wished you in the rest of your voyage as well as in the bosom of your dear family. Impatiently now we sit anxiously to receive news of you in order to be freed from the worry created by newspaper reports coming from there about the diverse outrages committed by the omnipotent Terrero.
Our good friend Blumentritt not long ago wrote me asking me for the meaning of sinigang because he will translate into German your Noli me tangere, with your prior authorization naturally. Today I have just received another very kind letter from him from which I quote: “After supper I sit down smoking two or three pipes and thinking of our Philippines. I have written directly to Balaguer, who calls me friend, informing him of my ideas about the reforms that ought to be introduced into our country. I want to maintain this correspondence for Rizal’s sake. Someday my connection with the minister of colonies may be very useful to our immortal friend. However, I cherish no illusions, knowing that the Captain General of the Philippines does not always respect the orders from the authorities in Madrid.
“In my head I have already finished the translation of the Tagalog novel, thus remaining only the slow work of writing it. But I do it with much pleasure, this work being a homage to the great Tagalog, Jose Rizal. The painter Eberhard Eysert (who wanted to be Rizal’s cicerone in Vienna) is going to paint for Rizal a very fine picture in return for the photograph that he received from him. I don’t know how to send to the Philippines this oil painting on wood or canvas.”
I shall write Blumentritt to send me that painting and if it arrives on time, I shall be its bearer, because you will also have me there soon, inasmuch as it is already decided that I am not going to Madrid for the doctorate.
Dr. Nordmann (R.I.P.) has died, according to friend Blumentritt, as a result of a surgical operation.
Rogers, contrary to your wish, did not obtain the post of titular to which he aspired, for another candidate with more influence than he had was favored.
I already wrote you once and sent you at the same time “Diluvio’s” criticism of your novel. La Publicidad also publishes in two issues a critical study of the chapters that are particularly sour and bitter, and I told you also that your novel, they say, contains much truth and the one who wrote it or created it had written with much prudence. Mariano Ponce is to publish also a criticism and when it comes out I shall send it to you, sir.
The “Chinese” greet you affectionately and wish you all kinds of prosperity.
Your friend,
J. Peilifen.
01-265 [Family]