London
Happy times with Rizal that will never return – His wife’s health is declining – Home news – Dr. Benzold with his cuneiform tablets – Mr. Rost in forced retirement – He offers to send Rizal books – His interest in dictionaries and grammars of the Bagobo, Manobo, and Moro-Magindanao languages – A book on the Tiruray – Offers to send Rizal books from London.
[The original letter is in English]
* * *
London, 1 Elsworhty Terrance,
Primrose Hill, N.W.
15 Sept. 1893
MY DEAR DR. RIZAL,
Years have rolled on since we last heard from you; but though there has been no exchange of letters between us you are as dear to us as ever, and we often talk of you, and wonder what you may be doing; and we recall with infinite pleasure the happy times when you were living amongst us in the pursuit of your philosophical studies. Since then my poor wife has continued to be a great sufferer. During the summer she has been able to lie in the veranda and enjoy the open air; but I dread the coming winter. Little Min is her companion and attendant, and she sings, plays, and paints. Her sister at Dresden is the happy mother of two children. Adolf has wonderfully improved in the style of his work; he is particularly successful in making busts and medallions of living persons. But up to the present he has not made any money by his art. He went last week to Copenhagen for a month to study Thorvaldsen’s sculptures.
His brother Ernest has now been 3 years a medical student at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. He is very industrious, gifted and enthusiastic, and is likely to make his mark some day in the medical profession. We hope that he will be able to pass his final examinations a year hence. Our friend Dr. Bezold works as hard as ever at the decipherment of the cuneiform tablets. He is at present enjoying his well-earned vacation in the Bavarian Alps.
As for myself, I am sorry to say that, in obedience to a new law which provides that civilians over 65 have to retire from the service, I shall cease to be a librarian at the India Office at the end of the month, and that I shall have to live on a pension less than half of my salary. This is most unfortunate as I am still in the enjoyment of my mental faculties. Still, while I have hitherto devoted myself exclusively to others, I shall now be able to pursue my favorite studies inclusive of the lenguas filipinas. I hear that grammars and dictionaries of some of the dialects (Bagobo, Manobo, Moro-Maguindanao) of Mindanao have recently appeared; but only some volumes about the Tiruray have come into my possession. Why do not the publishers send copies to Europe for sale?
If you require any books from here I will gladly procure them for you. Only you must let me know how I am to address and send them.
My wife and children send you friendly greetings. Pray write to me at your convenience a Spanish letter, and believe me ever to remain
Yours very sincerely and loving,
R. ROST
02-795 [Bluementritt V.2]