London
Jagor, Blumentritt, and Rost fondly remember Rizal — The librarian, already a valetudinarian, is anxious to see Rizal before he dies — Will entertain guests from abroad — A vacation — The careers of his sons — He is glad that Rizal is studying Malay — Awaits his linguistic essays.
[The original letter is in English]
* * *
London, 1 Elsworthy Terrace.
Primrose Hill, N.W.
9 August 1895
MY DEAR DR. RIZAL
The arrival of your letter was a high festival to me. Jagor and I had only been speaking about you a few days ago (he came here to attend the Geography Congress, though he is 80 years old), and Blumentritt also spoke much about you in his last letter. I wish and pray that Heaven may grant me before I die the great blessing that I may behold your dear face once more. My health is very indifferent; constant cares and worries have brought on diabetes, and my vital strength is waning. What work I am able to do is only for adding to my slender pension. If I could do literary work of my own choosing I should feel happier. It is a great treat to me to converse with old friends. This evening I shall have Walters here and Bezold (both of whom you know) and Rockhill, from the United States, who travelled twice through Tibet and Mongolia. And tomorrow I go to the Isle of Wight for a week as Adolf’s guest. I have not had a holiday these two years, and as Adolf is now fairly getting on in his profession, he is giving his old father this treat. His brother Ernest is in the midst of his examination for the Indian medical service. The examination is very hard: there are 60 candidates, and only 16 vacancies. But if he is successful he will be provided for, and need me no longer.
I am glad you have made a special study of Malay which is a very simple language when compared to Tagalog and Bisaya. They have recently done me the honor at Madrid of translating into Spanish an article of mine on Malay language and literature which I wrote many years ago for the Encyclopedia Britannica. I am looking forward with intense interest to the literary essays on which you have been engaged, and only trust they may not remain unprinted too long. I have not seen any new publications on the Philippine languages for many a year.
In May, Mrs. Hultzsch came from Dresden with her husband, two sweet children and a nurse to stay with us for three weeks. It was a happy time, more especially for my wife.
We think of you a great deal, and do not cease to hope that we may see you again amongst us.
Ever your affectionate friend,
R. ROST
05-863 [100 Letters]