22 November 1886

Berlin

Waitz’ Anthropology of Primitive Peoples — Unity of the human race — Translation of Schiller’s and Andersen’s stories sent to his nephew — I will make use of the Royal Library for the study of the history of my native country — Chamisso’s work and his adventure with a friar — “We are like two blind and deaf men: We converse without seeing or hearing each other.” — An exhibition of Igorots at the Zoological Garden in Madrid.

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Jaegerstrasse 71, Berlin

22 November 1886

Very esteemed Professor,

I received your letter a week ago, but I could not answer you at once while the Royal Library has not informed me if it has the work of Waitz-Gerland and Wallace. Finally it gave me today Watiz’ Anthropology of Primitive Peoples and I hasten to ask you if this is the book I need. It deals only with the unity of the human race, if I am not mistaken. The names of Gerland and Wallace are not mentioned in it. I asked also for the work at the municipal library of Leipzig, but I was told that it did not have any, so that I could not translate the famous chapter. Please give me the exact title so that I can begin soon the translation.

I already sent home the tragedies of Schiller and Andersen’s stories for my nephew. I want also to do something for science and the history of my native country. I can do that very well at the Royal Library. I knew already the work that Chamisso brought from the Philippines. I read his poems, his account of this trip, and his adventure with a friar, the only rude man he saw in the Philippines. I agree with the poet and you, esteemed Professor, will soon have the same opinion.

I will look for the books as soon as I have the titles. Here there is no catalogue for the public, but it is enormously cheap to be able to use the library for 25 pfennigs.

I cannot visit the Messrs. Jagor and Virchow because neither do I know them nor do I have anything to give or say to them. So I would not wish to bother them.

I thank you in advance for your photograph. I have no picture of myself now and I am so timid that I don’t dare have myself photographed; but I will think about it. I’m waiting for your picture. Now we are like two blind and deaf men. We converse without seeing or hearing each other; this is the mutum, caecumque sermo.[1]

Don’t mind the Philippine Exposition in Madrid. According to the newspapers [and] the information I have, it will not be a Philippine Exposition but an Exhibition of Igorots, who will play their musical instruments, cook, sing, and dance. But I pity these poor people. They will be exhibited in the Zoological Garden of Madrid and with their simple original apparel they will catch a dreadful pneumonia. This sickness is frequent in Madrid and even the Madrid people catch is in spite of their covering.

Greetings to you and your lady. I need not reiterate that I am always at your service.

Most affectionately,

Rizal

02-181 [Blumentritt V.1]