19 June 1887

Geneva

It is not propitious to engage in premature conspiracies — When there is no other remedy but seek for our ruin in war — The olive branch of the holocaust — There is nothing imperishable — It is impossible to endure everything — “The happiness of my country”. — If the evil is only in the system of government, I will oppose everything that may be planned against Spain.” — “I trust in God” — With enchanted spectacles.

* * *

Geneva, 19 June 1887

Dear Friend,

I received on time your esteemed letter and post card and I am glad to see that you feel as I do. I thank you for your pious thoughts and I will leave for my native country consoled. I assure you that I have no desire to take part in conspiracies which seem to me too premature and risky. But if the government drives us to them, that is to say, when no other hope remains to us but seek our destruction in war, when the Filipinos would prefer to die rather than endure longer their misery, then I will also become a partisan of violent means. The choice of peace or destruction is in the hands of Spain, because it is a clear fact, known to all, that we are patient, excessively patient and peaceful, mild, unfeeling, etc. But everything ends in this life; there is nothing eternal in the world and that refers also to our patience. I cannot believe that you, as a free man, as a citizen of Europe, would like to advise your good friend to endure everything and to behave as a pusillanimous friend, without courage. Be assured that I desire the happiness of my country and so long as I believe that the evil is only in the system of Spanish government, I will combat everything that may be planned against Spain. You can be sure of that.

I thank you for your recommendation but pardon me if I believe that a recommendation for me in my own country sounds dismal. Recommendations can be useful abroad, but in the native land of the recommended person they are a bitter thing. It is true that they are useful, but I am ashamed to deliver such letters. I thank you and happen what may, I trust in God.

I believe that you put on enchanted spectacles when you read something about me, and that is my luck. I tell you this, because you like my writings. Your advice that I remain in Madrid and there write is very kind; but I cannot and ought not to accept it. I cannot endure life in Madrid; there we are all a voice crying in the desert. My relatives want to see me and I want to see them also. In no other place is life for me so pleasant as in my native country, beside my family. I am not yet Europeanized, as the Filipinos of Madrid say; always I like to return to the country of my origin. “The goat always is drawn to the mountain,” they told me.

As to the Exposition I agree with you. Five years ago we wanted to hold an exhibition of Filipino workers, weavers, etc., and we still want to hold one, but not an exhibition of odd individuals, showing our countrymen as a curiosity to entertain the idle inhabitants of Madrid. To that we cannot agree. Neither are we agreeable to the bad treatment that they are given, as the Madrid newspapers themselves say. By no means can we consider this good luck. Why do Joloanos, sailors, cuadrilleros, Carolinians, etc. who have no work come? Why are they all massed in a single hut that the newspapers brand as unhealthful and little sanitary? We want an industrial exposition, but not an exhibition of human beings, and the participants should not be compelled to live almost outdoors as in the case of Basalia, who according to some, died of nostalgia, and according to others of pneumonia or typhus!

We have received a letter from Prof. Willkomm in which he tells us about his excursions through Leitmeritz. He is very much satisfied and he remembers often Prof. Klutschack and the amabilísmo seńor Blumentritt.[1]

I have not found a good Spanish equivalent of the word anregend; I believe it can be translated as impresionar, excitar, encantar, entusiasmar, and also incitar or inspirar, according to the position of the verb.

I agree to what you say about the republicanism of the inhabitants of the south, above all that of the Spaniards. Day after tomorrow I leave for Italy.

I greet Frau Blumentritt, the Professor and his old father, and I kiss my little friends.

Your friend embraces you,

José Rizal

20 June

Your esteemed letter has just arrived today. Viola is still sleeping. The myositis is my favorite flower, despite its being very romantic. Many thanks. Please write me by mail via Marseille. From Venice I will write you a kilometric letter. Now, pardon me for ending here; because I have to see the consul.

Your good friend,

José Rizal

03-243 [Reformists]