2 June 1888

London

Rizal cannot address Blumentritt familiarly because he is elderly and respectable — The Filipinos are very courteous to their parents — The friars addressed us familiarly, considering us their inferiors — Rizal complimented with a tea party by Dr. Rost — They discussed languages — Filipiniana library of Rost.

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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 2 June 1888

My dear Friend,

Wherever I go I always find proofs of your sincere friendship. I say this because I have just received an invitation from Dr. Rost.[1]

Upon my arrival I found your two letters that moved me so much that I almost wept. Really I don’t know how to thank you for so much kindness. You always honor me with the familiar form of address — tú. But I, on the other hand, cannot address you thus, because you are much older than I am, and more learned and respectable. Please be informed, my best friend, that in my country parents treat their children familiarly — tú — but these never accord them the same treatment and the more love their parents the more courteously they speak to them. I don’t dare treat familiarly a fatherly friend like you. It is painful to me. But please always address me familiarly. That is so pleasant, so cordial and delightful. With such treatment I feel as if I have a fatherly friend scientist, one who is more than a friend, who is almost like a father. Certainly we are not pleased that the friars address us familiarly, because they believe us to be their inferiors and they treat us like their servants and not like friends. Between us [you and I] the question is different. One has to be very stupid not to appreciate the familiar address of a friend and I don’t believe that I am I feel it and my heart is deeply moved.

I had to interrupt this letter in order to accept the compliment of your friend. I owe you my first tea party. Mr. and Mrs. Rost received me very amiably. We talked a great deal about languages and of friendship besides. I also found a good Filipiniana library at their home.

I am sending you some Philippine and Japanese things by the same mail. Please accept them. They are of little value, but “if I were a king, I would give you my empire, my royal coach, etc.”

The other piña handkerchief is for Dolores; the small ones are for Fritz and Kurt. The Japanese necktie-pin is for you. I am sorry I have nothing for your old father, but, truly, I don’t know what to give him. For Dr. Czepelack I am sending a handkerchief with my name on it — it was embroidered for me. Would you want me to send you the drawing?

In my next letters I shall give you an account of my life in the Philippines. Be an impartial judge. Forget that I am your friend and tell me only if I am right or not in the matters that I may refer to you. I will respect your decision.

I have not received a single letter from the Philippines, either from my family or friends who promised to write me. Paterno[2] wrote me: “I have heard of cruel vexations to your family and I regret them very much.” I still have a faithful friend!

Yours,

Rizal

At the head of the letter you will see my address.

03-296 [Reformists]