Madrid
Rizal’s opinion encourages Antonio Luna – His book Impressiones is already published – Who will write the prologue? Pi y Margall? Morayta? – “I don’t expect great success” – “I would be satisfied if I get one-fifth of that of your Noli” – “How is the second part?” – Between Nelly and Luna only pure friendship exists – She would bring happiness to Rizal – Luna is studying chemical biology.
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14 & 16 Hortaleza, Madrid
11 April 1891
MY DEAR FRIEND RIZAL,
I received your letter dated Brussels, the 8th; are you already there? I thought you were still at Paris. Thanks for your felicitations. Indeed, lad, your opinion encourages me; but do not think that it will make me swell with pride. I am giving you the news that Impresiones are already published. They form one 820 volume of 266 pages and pretty well-printed. Now I have the question of the prologue. Who writes it? Or who’ll write it? Until now I do not know. I thought of you, of Blumentritt, of Pilar, but all of you will appear partial to those who may read it. I thought of Pi y Margall, but he is sick. Finally, the last one will be Morayta, because, after all, it is a Spanish opinion. What do you think? I believe that though my book attacks no institution nor any official, it has the damned presumption of hurling down the idol, breaking the pedestal into smithereens, so that I imagine they will attack it in a barbarous manner. We shall see how I will get out of the labyrinth in which I have plunged myself. Success? I expect nothing great; I would be very much satisfied if I get one fifth of that of your Noli.
And how is the second part of the Noli? Ah! I was going to ask you if you think it right if I keep my pseudonym, concealing my name, or the other way.
With respect to Nelly, frankly, I think there is nothing between us more than one of those friendships enlivened by being fellow countrymen. It seems to me that there is nothing more. My word of honor. I had been her fiancé, we wrote to each other. I liked her because I knew how worthy she was, but circumstances beyond our control made all that happiness one cherished evaporate. She is good; she is naturally endowed with qualities admirable in a young woman and I believe that she will bring happiness not only to you but to any other man who is worthy of her. I have prolonged this letter, lad. I congratulate you as one congratulates a friend, not with those reservations I had with Atanasio Lacsamana. In your case it is all the contrary. Congratulations.
Now I am killing myself with chemical biology and other subjects for the doctorate.
Regards from Galicano and receive an embrace of your friend.
ANTONIO
03-617 [Refromists]