13 June 1887

Geneva

Geneva, 13 June 1887

[Mr. Fernando Canon]

My dear Classmate,[1]

Between us two there can ever be inequality or disparity in manner of thinking. You know I was your great admirer those times when you deigned to write. I don’t know what devils deprived you of the inkstand and pen, for you could have done more than I, because you have more feeling, more taste, and more imagination than I. My only advantage over you, according to Father Sanchez, was the naturalness of my verses; in the rest, I was below you.

In proof of my approval of all that you have done for me, all you did, and all you disposed, I give you authority to do everything that seems to you good, to dispose of everything as you deem convenient, etc., etc., I give you absolute power, except the price that must not go below 5 pesetas, for that is the price for which I sold it in Madrid and for which others were sold. However, I give you power to change it if you believe it is necessary.

I thank you for the bound book that you present me. Please put a dedication inside and pack it together with the books that Mr. Barrera will give you to be sent to Mr. Joseph Rizal, passenger, on board the Yang-tse, Messageries Maritimes, Marseille. I’m leaving on the 3rd.

You have a commission of 10% of the sale of the books. You have a right to give complimentary copies that you wish. And in proof of my appreciation (royal style), I decorate you and give you my caricature, begging you to accept it as a remembrance of your friend and classmate whose greatest glory would consist of being admired by one like you.

Your friend,

Rizal

The agent of the Messageries Maritimes at Barcelona is Ripoll and Company. I pay the freight.

01-239 [Family]

1887 [?] Manila

From: Manuel T. Hidalgo

To: José Rizal

Rizal’s family is persecuted — Rizal’s father was evicted from his house — “Our objective is the welfare of the country…” — He advises Rizal to not come home.

* * *

[Manila, first semester of 1887?]

Concerning Paciano. Antonino, Ubaldo, Dandoy, and Teong, I send you enclosed a copy of all that was written against them that one of the government employees furnished me; there had been no formal accusation at all. They write me from Calapan, capital of Mindoro, where they are deported, that they are in good health. They rent a furnished house for P7 a month. They say that it is very sad there. Around it are forests and the sea. For me that is very poetic, but as they are not in the mood to be inspired, I agree with them.

Don’t come, we are very much persecuted. With the present ministry and this governor general, God knows where we are going to end. However, we have more than enough courage; all this here does not frighten us, come what may. We are not doing anything bad. Our objective is the welfare of the country and the government and we trust in God. But you, who are beyond these persecutions here, ought not to expose yourself to them. There, free from these fetters, you can work with freedom of action toward the same end.

One of the Fernández of Siniloan, Laguna, a family. I believe you know, has given ₱10 to be sent to you, an amount included in what Paciano sent you last June.

Buy me there, if you can, and send them to me through a person who is coming home: Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil Para Filipinas, Código Civil para Filipinas, and the 5 or 6 books of Compilación Legislative del Gobierno y Administración Civil de Ultramar — all official publications and are sold at the conciergerie of the Ministry of the Colonies. Here they are very dear. In addition, I want to know the prices there of Viada’s Código Penal, annotated, the work that comprises Código Penal del 70 and Códigos o Estudios fundamentales sobre el derecho civil español by Gutierrez, also Tratado Completo de Hemeopatía by the best author of this science. They tell me that the work of Aneman is the best.

The boys live with me. Alfredo and Adela are studying; they read well already; they are very studious and have sufficient aptitude; they write a little. Abelardo, I see, is neither mute nor an idiot, he hears and his manners are the same as those of a normal boy. Perhaps it will take him many years to be able to talk, when some of the nerves for locution are sufficiently developed. They tell me that there have been children who began talking at 7 or 8 years. All of them are in good health and stout, including Neneng who is very stout and has grown more. In the hygiene that we follow, we make much use of the hydropathic method and it agrees with us; it is very suitable for this burning climate. Our parents are also healthy, according to what they write me. Father does not show his age; he is always gay, but firm and energetic in his purposes. On the occasion of the execution of the order for eviction, Attorney Hilagan told him to beg and compromise with the Syndic. He replied that never would be resort to financing and he left and went to Narcisa’s house. I don’t know why he was ordered to leave the house when the order was eviction from the lot and not from the dwelling; it was a violation of domicile. It will be better for the lawyer there to denounce it.

MANUEL T. HIDALGO

03-240 [Reformists]