9 May 1895

Dapitan

Anacleto del Rosario, Rizal’s classmate, has died – A fervent Catholic, “he discussed nothing; I discussed everything and I doubted.” – He represented my student friendship; Blumentritt, “my present friendship of free inquiry.” – “…it matters little to me if they lock me up in Santiago or in Santo Domingo. My spirit will always be free.” – “I have reached with my limited strength the highest point which I can attain and I am afraid that if they would let me walk further, I may descend more rapidly than I have climbed up.” – The yellow color of the eyes of the Negritos – Memories of Leitmeritz – Hot weather – Requests a photograph of all Blumentritt’s children.

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Dapitan

9 May 1895

Jose Rizal

Mr. Fernando Blumentritt

Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Austria

My very dear Friend,

I received yesterday your affectionate letter of 25 February and its perusal gave me solace in my profound grief. My former comrade and dear friend, Mr. Anacleto del Rosario y Sales, the illustrious chemist of my country, has died, according to the newspapers. For some years we have had scarcely any dealing with each other, because he, who was a fervent Catholic, considered me a semi-heretic and atheist. However, I had always liked him tp the bottom of my heart, and I understood and accounted for his intolerance. He was a very earnest man, and when he loved one thing, he loved it really. We were childhood friends, companions during our student days. Our first literary glories, our first prizes were always twins. We went to and came out of our classes together. We won the first prizes in the same contests. In the debates, we supported one another. His cause was mine and mine was his. Only in later years, when, having reached a certain height, like a tree-trunk, he separated from me, and became two branches. He was a Catholic, a blind and fervent believer, and he discussed nothing, while I discussed everything and doubted. For the rest he did well – he was married, he had children, and he was a professor. If I speak of him to you, before answering your letter, it is because in my loneliness I have no one but you who can understand my grief. On seeing how many of my old friends are falling one by one, I imagine I am getting not young but old. Now I have only you who have never abandoned me, though you have known me later than he did. How long will this communication of sentiments last? With regard to friendship, Don Anacleto represented my student friendship as you do my present friendship, that of free inquiry. Your mind even more tolerant than mine, if possible, alone can follow without conflict my way of thinking. It matters little to me that they wish to lock me up in Santiago or in Santo Domingo. My spirit will always be free. As regards my physical liberty, I believe that instead of serving me much, it can hurt me more. I have reached with my limited strength the highest point which I can attain and I am afraid that if they would let me walk further, I may descend more rapidly than I have climbed up. Gottes Vorsehung ist es dass mich die Regierung ausschalten hat: sie macht aus meinem namen, einem rühmlichen.[1]

My father is well again my old mother does not want to separate from him – like two friends in the last hours of farewell; knowing that they are going to separate, they do not like to be far from each other. Poor old folks!

I am not in the mood to undertake any serious work, for in my present situation, I am afraid my manuscripts may be lost. My house is of nipa and I live almost in danger. I finished my Tagalog grammar because it was dedicated to my former professor and he has taken it with him. I should like to publish a study on the Chinese manuscript but timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.[2]

With regard to the yellow color of the eyes of the Negritos, it is true that I have observed it in my last trip and not only have I seen it among the Negritos but also among the Subanos. But Dr. A. B. Meyer may excuse me if I do not agree with him. It does not seem to me that white appears yellowish when it is beside the black. Neither optics nor chromatics can support the view. The teeth of the Negritos would appear yellow also. I suspect that there are also pigments under the layer of the conjunctiva scattered in less quantity than in the skin. This gives the yellow color. Had I a good microscope I could prove it. It is known that the pigment in small quantity gives a yellow color to the skin.

Still engraved in my memory is the view of Leitmeritz with its beautiful island and the bank where a tree with bare trunk and small crown rises, looking like a palm tree.

This year it is hotter here than last year. On 23 April, in my house it was +33.5o Centigrade while there you have –30o.

I have finally discovered why the Tagalog i is converted into o in Bisayan. I continue studying Malay.

My family greets you.

Could you not send me a photograph, without cardboard, of all your children? Today we have a change of governor.

I send you a fraternal embrace.

Yours,

José Rizal

Tell Frau Rosa that I sincerely wish die Erfüllung ihres wunsches,[3] not for my liberty but for the pleasure of seeing you once more.

04-854 [Misc.]