_January 14th, 1903._[1]
My brother; my little brother, will positively not become priaja, and
enter the service of the Indian Government. If Mevrouw has told you
something of my letters, you will know that I am not sorry, but am
rejoicing with brother in his decision. We think it splendid that
brother has not for an ideal that which thousands of his fellow
countrymen have always looked upon as most desirable, as the very height
of good fortune--to be a little Prince, glittering with buttons, under a
gold striped parasol. It is a great joy to us that pomp and ceremony
have no charm for him, and that he has realized so young that he wishes
to go another way from the one that has always been followed, and
trodden flat, by the feet of thousands.
I should have liked for him to dedicate himself to the service of
suffering humanity, and to have studied medicine. That is perhaps part
selfishness in me, I should have been glad to see him become a doctor
because it is such a beautiful calling, and it would have inevitably
taught him to understand our ideals. He could have done so much to
further the mutual respect between the European and native elements. He
could have taught his people to trust the European methods of healing,
and he could have called the attention of the European world to the
simple native methods whose value has been many times proven.
I spoke to little brother about the Doktor-Djawa School, but he had no
inclination in that direction, and we do not wish to press him.
[1] To Dr. Abendanon.