3 April 1890

Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Austria

“Our mutual dreams are very curious.” — Analogy between Germans and Tagalogs, Germans and Igorots – Philippine music resembles Slavic melodies – A wish, probably unrealizable, to go to the Philippines. – Del Pilar’s bad luck – An article of Professor Kern about the origin of the Malayan race – Death of Dr. Czepelack’s brother-in-law.

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Leitmeritz, Bohemia, Austria

3 April 1890

Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt

My Brother,

I have been somewhat uneasy about your silence and then I received your pleasing letter yesterday. Our mutual dreams are very curious and if my compatriot’s superstition is right, a member of your family in Calamba must have dreamed of us at the same time. With reference to your dream, you know that I would have felt happy to be with your family in your house.

As I go deeply into the study of Philippines ethnology, I discover more and more surprising resemblances and analogies between the Germans and the Tagalos, the ancient Germans and the pagan Igorots. Only the outside is different; their way of living, their virtues as well as their vices, are surprisingly the same. The “savage” tribes of the mountains remind us of the Germans of Roman times, and the Tagalogs and other Indians, the modern Germans, except that the latter lack the sincere courtesy and hospitality of the Tagalogs. Presently I’m reading the book on folklore of Reyes-Ponce and I’m surprised to find also in the Philippines so many purely German and Slavic superstitions (which could not have been imported by the Spaniards who do not know them). I don’t know whether I’m wrong or not, but spiritually, I believe, the Filipinos resemble more the Germans of the east and north (Germans, Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians) and also the Slavs of the west and north (Czechs, Poles, and Russians) with regard to soul and spirit than all the Latins and the southern Slavs (Serbs, Croats, and Bulgars). The Latins are more superficial; it is more important for them to have clean gloves that a clean heart. For this reason, I’m not surprised that the Spaniards cannot understand the Filipinos; desut vires (lacking in strength). I have noticed in the books about the Philippines written by Spaniards how superficial these authors are. The pieces of Philippine music in my possession, which I frequently ask my friends to play for me, recall to my mind Slavic melodies in their fundamental tone.

I too regard with joy the certainty of a happier future for the Philippines. It would be for me a great joy if I could see the Philippine Islands, but I doubt very much if this wish will ever be realized. And if it is not realized, I know that my heart and name live in the Philippines.

I deplore very much the bad luck of del Pilar. Fortunately, nothing happened to his family. Despite the bad reputation of the friars, I have regarded them as better than they are, but now I consider them capable of everything that is bad.

Professor Kern of Leyden has written an article on the origin of the Malayan race which has created much sensation in the scientific world. I have not yet received the original in Dutch; I have seen only an extract in German in Globus. According to this, Professor Kern says that the country of origin of the Malayans is Indochina or rather, Cochin China and Chiampas. When I have read the original, I will write something about it in La Solidaridad.

I’m curious to know if La Solidaridad for 31 March publishes the continuation of my Antibarrantadas [articles against Barrantes]. This article will not please either Barrantes or the friars.

Happy Easter!

Many regards from the Blumentritts.

I embrace you,

Blumentritt

Easter for Czepelack was sad. His brother-in-law died, the same one who talked with you and invited you to visit him next time at Aussig. He was noble and good. R.I.P.[1]

03-518 [Reformists]