15 May 1887

Madrid

Aguirre has sold four copies of Noli me tangere – Application filed at Minsterio de Fomento[1] at Madrid for permit to import the Noli – Critical appreciation of the Noli – The review España en Filipinas and Cauit’s articles – His fears the review will die because of a mistake he made

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Madrid

Between 15 May and 3 June 1887

My dear Friend,

I suppose that, although you are at present in Geneva, according to what Julio tells me, you must have received my postal card in which I acknowledged receipt of four copies of your precious novel and I notified you that three of those were already sold. Maginoo[2] P. A. Paterno bought the fourth copy.

Julio[3] must have already written you about the work being done at the Ministry of Fomento [Development] for the prompt release of the application for the importation of the box of books. Now they require the presentation of one or two copies, though at the beginning they said that it was only necessary to give a bibliographical note of the frontispiece. The important thing is that they attend to the matter quickly and well. For this purpose, resort has been made to recommendations, as is the practice here.

I have read it and I am enchanted by it. I congratulate you then heartily and I am with those who think that it is the first work of its kind and for that reason the only one that has been written about that country that reflected best and comprises most of the phases and special conditions of the physiognomy and life of Evaristo Aguirre, a Spaniard born of Cauit [Kawit], Cavite, [who] was identified with the Filipino reformists [by] that people. On its propriety and local color I say nothing, because hardly can any other work surpass it. Though with one perusal alone it is not possible to make a fitting criticism of the book, nor is it convenient to rush it, I shall tell you what is my first impression so that you may know it and as a first impression, it is subject to rectification if after reading it more calmly, I shall find my appreciation of the moment unfounded. Let us lay aside that neither am I competent nor am I an authority and take into account that, more than expressing an opinion (a task superior to my ability), I speak only of my impressions, and what I only beg you is that you should not look for pure ingenuity in me.

General impression. The first chapters are excellent and superior to the rest, where the initial vigor is noted and in last where you throw the rest.[4] Sobriety, smoothness, interest, animation, intention, fidelity, and effectiveness – all these I find there. I shall not make special criticism of such masterly chapters as “La reunion,” with the photographic characters and typical conversations of Fr. Damaso, Fr. Sibyla, Laruja, the lieutenant, and the new arrival; the entertaining supper; “hereje y Filibustero”, with its eloquent truth; the magnificent and fantastic chapter V; the poetic chapter VII; the inimitable chapter VIII; all the most interesting and pitiful story of Sisa and her children whose chapter “Basilio” made me shed tears until the point when I could not proceed with its perusal for at least five minutes; the “Pesca”, the “Gallera”, “La voz de los perseguidos”, and many more chapters with the last notable ones, “La catastrofe”, “Vae victis”, and the following “La noche Buena”; the valuable gem “El maldito”; the superior and very original “La caza en el lago”; and the non plus “La loca y su hijo”, and “La muerte de Elias.” This one, Fr. Salvi, and the philosopher are characters drawn by a masterly hand. The development of the novel is very rabid. Ibarra arrives, he tries to establish a school, and he dies or disappears without giving the reading time to follow him and Maria Clara with interest, as it is natural, they being very important personages of the novel, while Sisa and her children are of secondary importance. In various parts the language is somewhat careless, somewhat tiresome in other parts, like the quarrels of the alferes and his paramour, very full of p….and rep….The sermon of Fr. Damaso is a little exaggerated; the great diligence of the General in favor of Ibarra is a little improbable; and our people are too savage when they discuss whether pilibustero is worse than betelapora and to spit on the host, including Capitan Tiago who discusses lengthily with his wife which Christ or Virgin should be preferred and to whom a candle should be lighted in case of trouble. There is an abuse of pinching among the young ladies, and through the Ejems which are neither lacking, your smiling face shines at the sight of a pair of winning cards, as I have seen you playing tresiete. It is seen that even at the expense of fiction, what you have endeavored to do is to discover that cancer or those wounds that corrode and spoil that society or curates, civil guards, etc., for which reason I have baptized your book with the name Brief or Declaration of Grievances, in my legal language. In short, I reiterate to you my most sincere and cordial congratulations and I inform you that my aspirations would be satisfied, that I would be very much contented and proud, to be able to do a work that resembles or approaches your book, though this is not a praise commensurate with the indisputable merit of your work. I sincerely believe that I am not capable of such a great undertaking and for that reason perhaps I find your novel far above my ability, which is not privileged. And before we go on to talk about another thing, I consider it timely to ask you if you wish your novel to be presented or exhibited in the Philippine Exposition. It is good to know this in case this should seem to your desirable. However, while the Ministerio de Fomento has not issued the permit for the importation of the book, it is possible (I don’t know) that it cannot be exhibited.

The review[5] is pulling through and playing its role. In the Philippines, it was not received, at least publicly, by the press there, though it is true that this attributed to the zeal of Mr. Canga Arguelles. Here it is noticed by the Minister of Colonies and especially by the Royal Commissariat and the Executive Committee of the Exposition.

The Exposition moves very slowly and through our review and the enclosed clippings, you will know what is said about it and the vicissitudes it is going through. Though here we keep secret the names of those who write in the magazine, I do not see why I should not let you know, at least with regard to myself. Know then that I have written little and I do not know if you have noticed it. Now I remember the little articles: “No hay derecho contra derecho” [There is no right against right]. “Los derechos individuales” [Individual Rights], “Entendamonos” [Let us understand one another], “Ahi estan” [There they are], “Dos parablas” [Two Worlds], “Nuestros hermanos en el Retiro” [Our Borthers in the Retiro[6]], and some news reports, like that about the programme of the Iberian youth, the second La Corte lecture, that of Canga Arguelles, [the] Philippine Section at the firm of Battle, and unfortunately the little sonnet to the Jolo woman Basalia. I say unfortunately because I want to confide in you a great sorrow that for some days has made me crest-fallen and only with time I hope it will abandon me. I alone will know this, besides Govantes and Lete, but because of the cursed fourth verse that escaped me imprudently, without the intention of saying what my enemies, like Alvarez Cuerra, Vigil, Recur, etc. are hell-bent on putting in it, we are in danger (no one in the colony is aware of it) that such hard work may fail, that the review may die, because Govantes wants to withdraw in view of the attacks (until now in private) by those who hate us. No newspaper has attacked us, we have not been told anything in public, but Govantes is annoyed and discouraged. Wat do you think of it? You who know me will understand how worried I am, how dismayed I am in considering myself the cause of a damage to our interests, for a bagatelle, for having called the Resumen son of a bitch, which made the Filipinos at the Retiro the object of jokes in bad taste. Do not reprimand me, do not worry me more than I am already, for I am sufficiently punished by my grief, and I am convinced that my love for the cause, my love for the country, my love for the review, my scruples of being moderate, did not prevent me from letting slip imprudently a phrase that gives our enemies an occasion to attack our common work and delight in our defeat. As it is a matter of winning back Govantes, we do not want to alarm the colony with the news of the disaster that would threaten us if they attack us or if he withdraws, Hence the colony is not informed of this, for if not, if the review unfortunately dies, I would ask everyone for forgiveness for the damage I have done, through my imprudence, though not intentional. I shall not be so easily consoled because of my harmful cooperation. The majority has neither noticed the wretched verse nor understood it as true that had not the Jolo man been a Spaniard and hence this foreigner….but the enemies whom we are moving away from Spain, considering her a foreigner, that through the wound we have revealed ourselves. Until now no organ of the press has echoed the perversity of those enemies, but I am furious, I am letting some more days go by, to find out if the death knell of the review has sounded, if they attack us, if the public opinion goes against us, in one word, to find out whether we can continue or not. Govantes opined yesterday that the review has died, that it could not have any more prestige among this people, that my stupidity has no remedy, that the publication has to pay for it. If the phrase or intention is explained, if the matter is reopened, it will be stirred and will create more scandal, and because, at any rate, the publication pays for the mistake of the authors of articles be they editorial or literary, signed or unsigned, and more so in our special case and among enemies of the kind we have. An order has been given not to sell any more copy or send to the Philippines that issue; but will that be of any use? Will not these camagones[7] here try to discredit us there? It must be noted that no one of our own, except Govantes, neither any one of those here who know and treat us, with the exception of the three or four already cited, has noticed the matter or given importance of any kind. At any rate I am grieved. I told Lete to try to settle the matter in any way, that as for me he can adopt any remedy that is most effective, and in the future it would be convenient to exercise greater precaution in the acceptance of articles, and, in view of the prejudice against us, they should be subjected to the censorship of the most conservative, Govantes, for example; for, however moderate we may turn out to be, never perhaps would we transgress for being innocent but reserving always the right of the offended party. And when I consider that the review, though of limited range, has not been badly received over there and that here it has been admired and noticed and accepted and everyday more in demand, I tell you that I am truly burdened by my unpardonable carelessness and stupid indiscretion because now it seems to me unbelievable, it seems to me irrational, not to have noticed the impropriety of that verse. Finally, I am going to conclude this letter, because if I go on, I would never finish regretting the danger in which I have put the review and I hope God will let it pass without causing harm and bring calm behind it. I like to convince myself that my sorrow and the fear for the life of the review, inasmuch as it has not harmed us yet publicly, increase the proportions of a purely personal conflict. May it be so!

The articles Ahi estan [“There They Are”] and Nuestros hermanos en el Retiro [“Our Brothers in the Retiro”] were very effective. Pozas was the stupid one who proposed to take away from the Jolo men and the Igorots their weapons; and consequently for the allusion to the “kicks,” Ortuoste had to give explanations to the Comisaria.

Farewell, dear friend.

Very affectionately yours,

Cauit

03-232 [Reformists]

[1887?] Barcelona

From: Enrique Rogers[8]

To: Jose Rizal

Rogers, of Spanish parentage, is impressed by the Noli – The few who have read it are enthusiastic

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Barcelona, [May or June 1887?]

Mr. Jose Rizal

My dear Friend,

Today I received your letter of yesterday and I hasten to answer it to put you at ease with regard to your books. With the enclosed letter of Canon, the favor you ask me is granted.

I take charge of what you tell me about the “Titular” and I appreciate your good wishes, born of your goodwill. May this never diminish, may it be disappointment-proof, and never may cruel misanthropy knock at the doors of your heart.

As to what may happen to me, I trust in causa causarum and I say with the celebrated Spurgeon:[9] “All for the best.” As to the rest, if for reasons of high politics….

I have not been able to finish reading your book; I am at the middle. Were I to relate to you the admirable impressions I got during its perusal, I would have to fill several sheets. It is enough to tell you that it has awakened great enthusiasm among the few who have understood it.

Appreciating in my name and in that of my family, who is sending you its greetings, your kind offers, we wish you a happy trip and a pleasant reception in the beloved home country.

Your very affectionate friend and countryman,

Enrique Roger

03-233 [Reformists]