Paris
16 August 1889
Dear Friend,
I don’t know what you will think of my indifference to the childish attacks of the Manililla and the other newspapers of Manila. I find nothing offensive to you in them; hence my defense in La Solidaridad is so cold. I see neither attacks nor jests nor brains nor a reply to your arguments, so that I believe that you are wasting your time answering such foolishness. It seems to me, without flattery, that I am witnessing a fight between a useful worker and an idler. The attacks against Isabelo are likewise stupid, though more haughty. I believe that it is too great an honor for such unimportant newspapermen to engage in a polemic way your coram populo.[1] I know their kind. Later they will say in their own country: “I have engaged in polemics with the best German scholars and I have beaten them frequently! An example of this is Professor Blumentritt!!! Do not read it!”
You see that those writers have no serious reply to your articles. All of us believe that you give them too much attention. I believe that you should write an article with this title: Once and for all, saying that until your adversaries can answer completely your arguments, your affirmations stand firmly and that you will write nothing against them. The Filipinos like you and they give no importance to Quioquiap or to the rest.
I expect to receive next week the second proofs of my Morga.
With reference to Mr. Francisco Coello, we shall follow your advice.
Yours,
Rizal
03-430 [Reformists]
[1] Publicly.