Houlgate – France
Even the son of Barrantes is against him – Requests the payment of his brother’s boarding-house expenses – On Rizal’s projected return to the Philippines – And the second part of the celebrated Noli? – Luna offers to illustrate it – Make of the Filipino youth a bunch of ready combatants for the honor of the race – How delightful is country life!
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Houlgate
13 August 1890
Juan Luna
Dear Rizal:
Through the letter which Trinidad has received I have learned that you are at Madrid.
It is funny that the very son of Barrantes protests against his father and it might be good for you to take advantage of this son.
A million thanks for all that you have done for Antonio, whom I suppose you have already informed.
Enclosed I send you 100 francs with which I should like to ask you the favor of paying the matron of Antonio’s boarding house at No 6, Clavel Street. She is charging me 250 pesetas for Antonio’s bank accounts. If he is still living in the same house, pay the matron 100 francs on account and ask her for a receipt. Tell her that I will send the balance about the middle of September when I expect a letter from Manila. If Antonio is not living there anymore, do not give it to her but to Antonio.
Pardon the trouble and million thanks.
I see that you are ready to go the Philippines and settle in that paradise which is unknown to me. As for me, despite my great desire to return and embrace my parents, I believe that for the present, I cannot fulfill it.
And the second part of your celebrated Noli? I suppose that you will print it in Madrid. You know that if you need an illustrator, you can count on me as I did for Antonio’s book, as an anonymous illustrator.
You must have noticed among our compatriots much fondness for arms and it might be desirable for you to hold another bout so that this kind of sport would make of the Filipino youth a bunch of ready fighters for the honor of the much reviled Egyptian race, as our immortal poet Mr. Pedro [P.A. Paterno] said.
Tell me if you plan to stay there a long time, for I believe that I will have to go there in October.
Country life is agreeable to all of us and now under the direction of — [illegible] one lives here as in Tondo or Antipolo; Patis, tuyu, and other victuals are made. From our vegetable garden we get the prosaic cabbage, string beans, sibuls, aguarons, etc.; we also have apricots, apples, and a magnificent grapevine. Bathing in the sea is delightful, and my favorite sport is flying a kite which I have made and is admired by the boys in the house as well as outsiders.
Greet for [me] del Pilar, Roxas, Apacible, Bautista, and in general all my good friends and compatriots with whom I have spent some pleasant moments in Madrid.
Regards from Paz and Doña Juliana, kisses from my children, and an embrace from your affectionate friend.
Luna
01-569 [Family]