5 December 1889

Paris

Material for La Solidaridad – Two articles of Blumentritt – Consider appointing a correspondend in Dagupan or Lingayen – An oversight regarding the Luna-Mir affair – Who is Ramiro Franco? – If he is a Spaniard, his praise of Quiquiap is sincere; if he is a Filipino, it is fine irony – Quioquiap’s style is hollow like his head, but audacious, very bold – A suggestion for the end of the year: That Solidaridad put out an issue publishing the works, articles, thoughts of all the Filipinos, purely literary and instructive – Offer of the management of La Solidaridad to Llorente?

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45 Rue de Maubeuge, Paris

5 December 1889

[Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar]

MY DEAR FRIEND,

There go for the press the continuation of “Filipina dentro de cien anos,” some poems, and Blumentritt’s letters. I submit them all to the judgment of the directors of La Solidaridad and I ask only that they take good care of “Filipinas dentro de cien anos” so that they can be distributed in Manila and the provinces, if it is possible. The poem, if it is worthwhile, can be published, when articles are lacking, to fill space.

I am of the opinion that of the two letters of Blumentritt, only the one addressed to Colonel Verdugo should be published in the periodical, mentioning the other one, though Blumentritt expressed to me his desire that both be published. The letter to the general[1] can be published in a separate sheet to please our friend; the lines with red pencil should be replaced with dotted lines. Perhaps later on Blumentritt will be grateful to me.

Now let us go to No. 20 of La Solidaridad.

It is very well printed, very much better proofread, though there was dropped the phrase decirlo a esos at the end of “Cosas de Manila;” it is peccata minuta.[2] Nevertheless, I congratulate those who published it. Blumentritt’s article is the best our friend has written; I have already congratulated him. Murgas’ article is also very good. With reference to Murgas, I enclose the letter I received from Pangasinan. It is necessary to consider appointing a correspondent in Dagupan or Lingayen.

On the Luna-Mir affair, the commentary says that La Solidaridad reprinted the minutes. The reader is left in the air. It is an oversight.

In Art and Letters I note one Mr. Ramiro Franco[3] whom I shall be much pleased to know. He is a very elegant and very pleasing writer and that gentleman must be worthy, for, in spite of his admiration for the writings of Quioquiap [Pablo Feced], the swollen and hallow phrases of this man, whose inflated style that at first glance seems wonderful but upon the analysis turns out ridiculous and betrays ignorance and charlatanism, have not stuck to him. I have to believe upon seeing the beautiful, natural, and fine style of Mr. Franco that his praise of Quioquiap is merely courtesy, necessary in order to have later the right to whip him. I may be mistaken. If Mr. Franco is a Spaniard, I understand his admiration and I will believe it to be sincere, for it is common among Spanish writers to allow themselves to be seduced by rhetorical tricks. If he is a Filipino (Rosario? Aguirre?), I can almost affirm that there is a most refined irony at the bottom of his praise and a knavery that later will be known. Whoever he may be, I am sincerely glad of and I congratulate myself on the valuable cooperation of Mr. Franco. Tell me who he is, if it is possible, and if he is a friend and compatriot congratulate him warmly. What a great pity that I do not have here Quiquiap’s Esbozos y Pin-celadas to quote to him the illusory and blistering phrases of this gentleman. I only remember now two: “to have the head hanging from an abyss” and “el subsuelo donde germinan las patogenias” [the underground where pathogenic organisms germinate.] (la patogenia no puede germinar en ningun subsuelo; in entresuelo; la patogenia, o la genesis de enfermedd, no puede tener lugar sin uncuerpo vivo). Pathogenic organisms cannot germinate in any underground or entresol; pathogene or the virus of disease can only thrive in a living body.) Analyzing carefully his style, it can be seen that it is hollow like his head. One must admit that he has a lot of nerve, much boldness, boldness above all, and a facile pen. I reiterate my congratulations to Mr. Franco. If he is a Castila, do not tell him anything from me or anybody and just tell him that I liked very much his style, for one must acknowledge the truth. In this case, be very careful of him. He may make of our periodical a periodical of Quioquiap. They would mock us and despise us all, for they will say that after Quioquiap had piled rubbish on the Indios, we still sing hosannas to him. So be a little careful. Be logical. Blumentritt has attacked him and rightly and he is not a Filipino. Let them not say that we are afraid of that Quioquiap and implore his mercy.

I have already written [the] Indio Bravo but he has not replied yet, I should like to know why the Indio Bravos do not like to answer my letters.

An idea occurs to me. There the Filipinos have the habit of eating together on 31 December. Instead of eating in a restaurant, they can eat in a private house more intimately. Well now, what do you think if La Solidaridad should publish a number or a separate supplement that would carry the works, writings, thoughts, etc. of all the Filipinos on condition that they should not be political, or polemical but purely literary and instructive? Could copies be printed to give away and to sell in the Philippines as a proof of the unity of the Filipinos?

Sound the opinion of all there.

Llorente told me before that they offered him the management of La Solidaridad. I replied that he should accept it with your advice. What is there to this?

Regards to all.

Yours,

RIZAL

03-475 [Reformists]