Barcelona
16 August 1888
Mr. Jose Rizal
My very esteemed Friend and Countryman,
Enclosed I am sending you a copy of the analytical portion of Fr. Font’s censure of Noli me tangere whose conclusion you will receive shortly.
For some weeks I have not heard anything from you and we would be deeply sorry if your silence might be due to some lamentable misfortune. Neither has our mutual and good friend Blumentritt received a letter from you for some days, and he is somewhat alarmed as we are, as he himself tells me in his letter. He informs me besides that he has just been decorated by the Spanish Government with the Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic.
Awaiting impatiently news from you, your true friend and countryman embraces you and kisses your hand.
M. Ponce
03-323 [Reformists]