Calamba
Calamba, 16 July 1885
DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,
You are very resentful because I or we have not written you for a long time and you have reason to complain, inasmuch as we are a closely knit family and for our inner satisfaction we ought to be fully informed by our respective situations. I’ve have not written you in view of the fact that every time your letters to our parents and Paciano arrive, I’ve all read them and felicitate ourselves on your good health, our progress in your studies and in that society, and in their letters to you they do not fail to tell you about us, so that you are well informed about our situation. For this reason, you will please excuse us, as everything, save some very rare exception, is forgiven within the family. I have no news to give you, as Brother Paciano tells them all in his letter and with reference to your little nephews, your sister is in charge of telling you about them. I tell you only that here, or in Manila, according to what they say, there is a case of cholera morbus now and then, and I say according to what they say, for I didn’t know anything for certain and the government has not recognized it as such. With regard to this, what is that Ferran virus, a preventive against that disease? May it be true and through it at least may be lessened the effect of this terrible scourge on mankind.
If you find there Rousseau’s Emile in Spanish, I should like a copy here. It cannot be found in any bookstore.
We send you millions of love and you know how much this brother-in-law of yours loves you.
Silvestre has been in Albay for six months. We have information that he will be returned here, but he is contented there. He earns ₱90 a month as salary and for various duties.
MANUEL TIMOTEO DE HIDALGO
P.S.
I forgot to tell you the most important. We are better here, like our dear parents and brothers.
01-121 [Family]