1882

01-024 [Family]

1882.05.26 Manila

From: Paciano Rizal

To: José Rizal

Effect of Rizal’s departure — Grief of his parents — Comments of the friars — The Diariong Tagalog — The real purpose of Rizal’s departure for Europe.

* * *

Manila, 26 May 1882

DEAR BROTHER,

Yesterday I received at the town hall of Calamba through Maneng your letter dated at Singapore. As I was going to Manila, after reading it, I sent it to our house. I cannot tell you in this letter then the impression it produced [over] there. As for me, I’m glad that you have had a happy voyage until the first port of call and above all that your fellow passengers did not continue treating you with indifference. I’m only sorry not to have set right that Alcalde, for you could stay in Italy on your own means.

When the telegram informing us of your departure was received in Calamba, as it was natural, our parents were grieved, especially the old man who became taciturn, always staying in bed, and weeping at night, and the consolation offered the family, the curate, and strangers was of no avail. He made me go to Manila to find out with what means you were able to undertake the voyage. On my return I assured them that your expenses were defrayed by some friends of yours in Manila, hoping that this would calm them. Notwithstanding, he remained always sad. Seeing this and fearing that his taciturnity might generate into a malady, I told him everything, but to him alone, begging him to keep the secret and he promised to do so. Only since then have I seen him a little gav and return to his usual ways. This is what occurred in the family.

With regard to the friends, acquaintances, and strangers in the town and environs, your trip was the topic of conversation for many days. They conjectured and guessed, but nobody hit the bull’s eye. 

Yesterday I was with the friars. Some approved your departure, others did not. As we have adopted this measure (because in my opinion it is the best), we should stick to it.

Day before yesterday the brother of B. Teodoro arrived at the house in order to go around Laguna and Batangas in search for subscribers to the Diariong Tagalog, [and] helped carry many copies of the prospectus of that periodical. I helped him in everything I can and I believe, and also according to his own report, our town will not be behind any in the province, so that you have a better idea of what it is in reality.

Tacio has been suffering from typhoid fever for two weeks now and the physician attending him, Lucino, entertains no hope of saving him. Twice the lad sent his servant to our house to call you, for he was sure you have already returned from your trip.

As I said, I went down to Manila after your departure where your letters were delivered to me. I have forwarded them to their respective destinations. I will not take home yet your things here in Manila, but I’ll do so later, as Uncle Antonio and I have agreed. With regards to your other orders, I see no inconvenience in following them. 

I have delivered to Uncle Antonio a sum which he will send you in draft. Read this letter which is enclosed.

They have assured me that you have accepted a letter of credit from certain persons from here. You have not said anything on this matter in any of your letters.

It is said here that you will finish the medical course at Barcelona and not at Madrid. To me the principal purpose of your departure is not to finish this course but to study other things of greater usefulness, or that to which you are more inclined. So I think that you ought to study at Madrid, center of all the provinces, because, though it is true that there is more life, more work, and better education at Barcelona, you have not gone there either to take part in that kind of life or much less to work And as regards good instruction, in case it is not found in Madrid, the diligence of the student will make up for it. It is, therefore, convenient for you to be there beside our fellow countrymen who can guide you while you are not yet familiar with things. I don’t know if this suits you. As for me, I would be very glad if it did. At any rate, don’t fail to answer this point, because I’m very much in favor of it.

On the 22nd of this month I finished the work on the sugar with a harvest of less than one-half of last year’s but I hope to sell it at a double price, so that we shall lose nothing.

Yesterday I left the whole family in good health at Calamba, getting ready for our town fiesta. I’m at Uncle Antonio’s house where I am writing this letter. Your dear brother is also in good health.

Paciano

P.S.

Yesterday, when I left our town, the engineers were tracing the railroad to the south, and it is said that wherever it will pass, they will not respect either houses or plants. I don’t know if the warehouse and the plants in Real will be among them. Nothing is said about compensation.

01-025 [Family]

1882.06.07 Suez, Canal

From: José Rizal

To: Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso 

Travel impressions — Aden —The Desert — Suez —The Canal — His good health Expecting letters from home.

* * *

Suez Canal, 7 June [1882]

MY DEAR PARENTS,

The last letter I wrote you was at Aden before disembarking. This will inform you about the rest.

I went down at Aden, which, as I have told you perhaps, is a town of little importance by itself, but it is important to the steamers that take on coal there. The town is composed of numerous hillocks and rocks, all bare and arid, without even a plant, on which stand some lonely and gloomy houses, white indeed, but with a funeral aspect. The ground, like its sun, is hot and hard; the wind, loaded with burning sand, disturbs now and then the quietness of its well-made but deserted streets. At intervals and as if forcing itself to enliven those places, can be seen camels walking majestically and rhythmically, tall and big, forming a contrast to the humble asses, some of which are very short, like a hog, of abrupt and somewhat hasty pace. Everywhere is death, neither a root nor a leaf. Only man, perhaps in order to give a proof of his power, lives there, plants cannot; but, alas, it’s only to give a spectacle of his poverty and degradation, compelled as he is to contend with the granite for his existence. But English power is worthy of its name and it opens there two beautiful tunnels, one of which is as long as the distance from Capitana Danday’s house until that of my brother-in-law Mariano, and the other is one half less. These bore through live rock and when one is in the middle of the first, one finds himself in complete darkness. If by any chance one sees a space of ground as large as a dish in which a little grass grows, it is a phenomenon that attracts everybody’s attention. Within the town proper can be seen some limp and rickety trees of which the tallest is not more than three varas. Besides the tunnels there are other things that call the attention of the travelers and they are the cisterns or reservoirs. These are some large cavities, whitened with stucco, formed by the mountain and a wall which, with the rock, form a receptacle. Imagine some five dams with the wall that, instead of being of stone like that we have there, is of very hard granite, there being a granite mountain here, but all whitened, with stone railings and very well made stairs of granite also. Beside this, instead of abaca plants as we have there, there are tiny plants whose leaves can be counted and some signs that prohibit the picking of a flower or leaves. Instead of water and its beautiful and boisterous falls, there’s nothing but complete aridity, not even a drop of water, and the hottest sun. At one place there is a well of about one hundred varas deep whose bottom cannot be seen and from where five Negroes get water, which takes two minutes to come up to the surface.

In the shops are found skins of lion, tiger, panther, and leopard, ostrich eggs and feathers, and some children whose occupation is to fan the travelers.

From Aden, town of great divers and swimmers who pick up small coins thrown into the water, we headed for Suez through the Red Sea. On the first day it was so terribly hot that many fainted, even a waiter of the ship. In the following days it was fairly cool and the sailing was good. We saw Mount Saini, Egypt, etc. We also met many ships. On the 2nd June we arrived at Suez.

A little steamer came alongside and placed us under quarantine for 24 hours. We were embarrassed. It was because of the Dutch on board who came from Java. On 3 June the Turkish physician came up to inspect the ship and the sick and to fumigate and disinfect us

The physician informed us of the revolt in Egypt led by Arabi Bey, Minister of …1  who imprisoned the Khedive in his palace. It seems that there is a coup détat. Like the entire army he is a partisan of the minister. I conversed with him in French and I learned that he was educated in Paris where he studied medicine; he had been in London and traveled through Italy, and Germany. He held advanced ideas and when he was satisfied with my replies, he responded by saying “Bravo.” He asked me how Japan was, believing I was a Japanese. Finally we left Suez and entered the Canal, not without having been visited first by the peddlers of Suez, selling figs, dates, and other things, like postcards, rosaries, etc.

The Canal, opened in the middle of that desert of sand and stone, is 85 kilometers long and probably some 80 varas wide. A boat that was grounded in the middle obstructed our way and we stopped three days—three days of ennui and grumbling. At last this morning we went on and I believe we shall arrive at Port Said. Probably we shall not reach Marseille until the 15th.

I’m in very good health and the intense cold which we have had since we arrived at Suez five days ago has made me stout. I am so stout that I’m bursting. I do nothing else but stroll continually, because one cannot remain seated for a long time.

I’m going to give you a so-so description of the Canal. It is not straight throughout its length; it has curves but small ones; sometimes it flows into a lake where it is believed Moses passed, and again enters the desert. It crosses three lakes in its course. On both banks, which are all yellow and white, where it is a real jewel to find grass, are erected some telegraph stations placed at intervals. We have seen a young beggar eating sand and following the ship in order to pick up a cracker that may be thrown him or not. A traveler on a camel and two magnificent Arabian horses. One of these, mounted by a customs officer, attracted the attention of everybody. Here I have tasted cherries, apricots, and green almonds. We have seen the curious spectacle of a mirage, which is the reflection on the desert of seas and islands that do not exist at all.

I hope to receive a letter from you before the end of this month at Barcelona. I repeat I’m in good health and wish you to be the same.

Foreigners in whose colonies the colonials are very much oppressed do not want to believe that I’m an Indio; others that I’m a Japanese. It is hard to make them believe the truth. Bless your son who will never forget you.

P.S.

You may tell my brothers as well as my brothers-in-law that I would be glad to receive letters from them.

Regards to all, like my friends and acquaintances there, and may they excuse me for not writing them now, but when I shall be at Barcelona, they would get tired of me. I’ve a desire to speak Tagalog. It has been one month that I have not spoken one word. I’m familiarizing myself with French.

01-026 [Family]

1882.06.23 Barcelona

From: José Rizal

To: Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso 

Travel impressions — Port Said — Napoli — Marseille Sightseeing Barcelona — Visits factories of porcelain, glass, ceramics — Sees many things which are applicable in the Philippines

  * * *

Barcelona, 23 June 1882

MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS,

I have the pleasure to write you today, the eve of the town feast there [Calamba], a memorable day for me, although it is not the day of the departure of the mail boat. My last letter, dated in the Canal, must have informed you of the incidents of my trip; it remains for me then to relate what happened after that. We arrived at this important city, Port Said, that partakes much of Africa and Europe; commercial, gay, and quite beautiful, but, on the other hand, dirty and corrupt. There is a cafe-musical where an orchestra, an excellent one, according to those who know, plays the national songs of the different European countries, like the Marseillaise, God Save the Queen, and others. Its population is most heterogeneous: European, Turks, Greeks, Egyptians, and Negroes. Variety of fruits: the date about all: elegant stores with signs in French, Italian, Greek, and others, and dirty and dark booths adorn its animated streets. We were here for about three hours. It must be noted that we didn’t find even … [illegible]

At the beginning, the sailing was good, we passed opposite Greece, the Island of Candia; on the 10th, with good weather, we sighted the coast of Italy; the first town we saw was … [illegible] with a very beautiful beach which at the time a train was crossing. Thence the sailing was very pleasant on account of the beauty of the Italian coasts, thickly populated presenting a picturesque aspect, full of life and poetry, that resembled a Belen on account of its many houses and little trees. On the same afternoon of the 10th we passed through the Strait of Messina with a sea so smooth that we didn’t notice a single wave. We saw the volcanoes Stromboli and Etna and other islands. Sicily and Naples, even if we have not yet passed them, appeared before our eyes bathed in the beautiful rays of the afternoon sun. The following day, at dawn, Napoli [Naples] appeared to us, a gigantic city which lays asleep beside Vesuvius, a volcano that seems to be guarding this wonderful city. Its extent from Pasilipo Mountain until the other extreme, all populated, would be the same as from the town of Calamba until beyond Los Baños. Elegant edifices, like that of the Royal Palace, the Castle of Santelmo or St. Telmo, numerous hotels, the Tower of Massaniello, and the lugubrious State prison. We were not allowed more than one hour to go ashore which I spent visiting Napoli at the risk of being left behind. Those who of us who went ashore were four, and accompanied by a cicerone we went around the city. It was the first European city I passed through. From pleasure to pleasure, from surprise to surprise, in an elegant coach, guided by a cicerone who spoke French, I went through those streets, carefully paved with large, black, flat paving stones, and crossed by street cars. Statues, fountains, monuments, arches erected here and there, very tall houses, stores and show-windows glittering for the lavish use of gilt and crystal, attract the attention of the traveler, above all if he from the colonies. A throng that speaks a language comes and goes continually, elegant ladies and gentlemen walk through the streets. At the street corners are announcements or notices to the Freemasonry of the world concerning the death of’ Garibaldi.2 I went to the telegraph station with various orders and afterwards in twenty minutes we went around the city, the Posilipo, various churches vyingly full of statues, squares with antique marble statues or copies of them, like those of Apollo, Faunus, Orestes, equestrian statues, the Fountain of the Four Seasons, represented by four superb lions, a museum of antiquities of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

How sorry I am not to be able to stop to see it, study it, examine it more closely and a little more carefully. Almost one moment more and the boat would leave me behind. But all this magnificent panorama cost me much, because coach man and cicerone cheated me, charging me four times more than the agreed price. On the boat I found many peddlers of lava from Vesuvius made into elegant lockets and other jewels, views of Naples, and on the water alongside the boat were two divers or swimmers who, less aristocratic than the Negroes of Aden, were satisfied with fishing out small copper coins thrown far away into the water. When I compared these two good Italian lads with the Negroes of Aden with kinky hair, I couldn’t help but indulge in serious reflections.

Also in a boat came two Italian women and two men, the women with guitars and bandores and the men with violins, to play for us, singing in sweet and melodious voice several opera selections and the Addio a Napoli. They received with an open umbrella all kinds of money thrown to them by the passengers.

Four or five minutes after my arrival we left Napoli, and I became the butt of the questions of my fellow passengers who repented for not having gone ashore. Here we learned through the newspapers about the occurrences in Alexandria and Cairo — the massacre of Europeans that took place when we were in the Canal. In my previous letter I must have told you something about my conversation with a physician, a partisan of Arabi Pasha, probably in the know of what was then being plotted. But the gentleman didn’t let anything leak out, and in the Canal we were calm and peaceful.

From Napoli we sailed almost the whole day within sight of Italy, but the mistral3 blew and gave us good jolts. The following day, the 12th, we passed near Corsica, native land of Napoleon. Its coasts were less populated, more mountainous and wild; they have much to envy the Italian coasts with regard to land development.

In the evening, and after enough strutting and with a cold that compelled me to accept the shawl of Mrs. Salazar, despite my frock-coat and vest, we saw the lighthouse of Marseille. By this time the sun set at about 7:00, and as the twilight was very long, it was still daylight by 8:30. Thus, the coasts of France, which since five o’clock were vaguely outlined in the distance, would have appeared to us more beautiful had it not been for the wavering light of dusk. In the evening then, at about 10 or 1l o’clock, we dropped anchor, because it was forbidden to enter. Before us, among several islands, stood the celebrated Castle of If. A city viewed at night with beacons of different colors and electric lights that seemed to wander from one place to another seemed to me a monster with a thousand restless and distrustful eyes. We deferred then for the next day our curiosity. I am condemned to see cities at sunrise which surprise a traveler who sees a pleasant thing suddenly and not gradually. It is needless to give you a description of Marseille, because all that I can say about very big ships, forest of masts, poles, and chimneys, boats, buildings, churches, etc. — all will be pale and cold, colder than the cold we felt then.

I was on deck with my frock-coat and gloves on waiting eagerly for the permit to go down. Here farewells, meetings, tears, instructions in French everywhere, boatmen, porters who salute you very politely and offer you their services. Wicked money! At last my turn came to bid goodbye to those who had become my new friends and acquaintances, foreigners and Spaniards, who gave me their cards and pictures. And followed by a boatman I went ashore to the customhouse. French politeness is evident even among the customs officers who begged for “Pardon” before searching me with all possible consideration. Taking a coach (coupé) I went to the Grand Hotel Noailles located on Rue Cannebiére. This is one of the best hotels, if not the best, in Marseille, with all the comforts, carpeted marble staircase, hydraulic elevators for going up and down all the floors without having to lift one foot, servants attired in dress coat with white necktie, clean and elegant, carpeted rooms with dressing-tables, velvet chairs with spring, electric bells, imperial bedsteads; in short, excellent service. I had one of these rooms for four francs a day without board. But it must be noted that here even the candle is paid for separately. On account of the excessive cold that penetrated everywhere I had to keep my room, which is full of embroidered curtains and carpeted, always closed. I was in Marseille two days and a half, but I got bored staying in my room alone, accustomed as I was to many people. Many of the passengers were lodged in the hotel. I strolled through those wide and clean streets, paved like those in Manila and full of people, attracting the attention of everybody who called me Chinese, Japanese, American, etc., but no one called me Filipino! Poor country, no one has heard of you! 

This is the most elegant city that I have seen and it is cultured and rich with respect to its houses. The majority of these are decorated with statues, caryatids, bunches of flowers, sphinxes, busts, etc., etc., large, admirable for their richness in crystal and marble elegantly combined. The fact is nobody looked out the window on account of the cold; I was about the only one who stepped out on the balcony. The stores have their glass doors closed so that the cold may not get in, and at first I didn’t enter them believing that it was prohibited to do so. Almost all the articles displayed to the public have their prices beside them; and it must be noted that everything is cheap.

But many people moved about; there were vendors of fruits, newspapers, and flowers; there were booths where oysters, mussels, and shrimps were sold. The sidewalks of Rue Cannebiére are as wide as an ordinary street and I was much struck that one enters a place with very elegant signs in gilt and crystal, the like of which cannot be found in Manila, and finds himself in a passable café.

I saw the gallery of paintings where there were excellent pictures and statues, the zoological garden with its lions; bears, panthers, elephants, and a carabao, I was not able to see many animals because that was a very big place and I got tired. There was a department for monkeys from all parts of the world. There were some that resembled human beings, extending their hands to you as if asking about your health. The museum of natural history didn’t escape my curiosity.

I saw also the Panorama which is a circular building. You go inside and you see dead soldiers beside a cannon, and they seem to be sculpture, and you come to a place where you see on all sides a real siege with cavalry, with soldiers surrendering their arms, skirmishes, etc. Everything there is an illusion. You think such a horse is moving, that the dead man is kicking, that the smoke of the fire is rising, that the howitzer is striking the snow of the distant mountain, far horizons, the snow, the chief who is shouting, so that we got into a discussion as to whether all of these were paintings or sculpture. Being there without looking through a cosmorama, you feel as if you are on the battlefield itself. The whole place is a continuous field and the rogues even offer you binoculars in order to see better.

I left Marseille by express train on the afternoon of the 5th, because all the trains that go from Marseille to Barcelona are express. The ticket is very cheap — 12 pesos and 3 pesetas, first class. You travel at full speed of from five to six leagues4per hour. By boat the trip costs almost as much and it’s more uncomfortable. We were going at such speed that when we met trains running in the opposite direction, it was physically impossible to look at them because your head would turn around. 

That was infernal, it seemed like lightning, a monster, a shooting star. We went through tunnels, or rather mountains, one of which was very long that at the speed we were going I believed we made it in more than five minutes. At one stop I was much frightened: A stop of 30 minutes was announced. I went down for some necessity and after five minutes, I saw the train pulling out, taking along my luggage with my money in it. I ran after it; I didn’t overtake it. Fortunately, a gendarme informed me that it would return soon and that it would only change tracks. After that I didn’t go down again. The towns and countryside that we pass by are precious: Every inch of land is well cultivated and used for vineyards, olive trees, and planted to wheat and barley. France is thickly populated, for along the way there were houses almost without interruption until the Spanish boundary, We passed by the following towns and cities: Pas-de, Gamur, Regisal, Saint Chamas, Miramas, Tarascon, Le Cailar, Aimargues, Porllan, Montpellier, Cette, Narbonne, Perpignan, Cerbére. We spent the night in France; at dawn we arrived at the Spanish frontier town, Port Bou. There we had to change trains. Before that we were searched at the customhouse by the Spanish carabineers. Missing were the courtesy and polish of the French, but on the other hand we had a delicious breakfast in a beautiful and pleasant room. Here can be seen posters in Spanish and French. It seems that one is in Manila for one sees Spanish Castilian phrases and one hears Spanish spoken. From here in another train we came to Barcelona passing also through two or five tunnels, one of which was quite long. Much has been put into it and according to the commander of the navy, this Spanish line that goes to France is the best. Although the country is perfectly cultivated, it is less populated than France. At the frontier we a frontier-lad. He was wearing a costume half French and half Spanish, a clergyman’s cap, Catalan fiber sandals. That symbolism was funny, graphic, and significant. The towns we passed were Port Llansá„ Vilajuiga, Perelada, Figueras, Vilamalla, Tonya, San Miguel, San Jordi, Flassá, Bordils, Celrá, Gerona, Fornells, Riudellots, Caldas, Sils, Tordera, Blanes, Malgrat, Galella, Arenys, Caldetas, Mataró, Premiá, Masnou, Mongat, Badalona. It was about 12:00 when we arrived at Barcelona. My first impression of Barcelona was very unpleasant. After having seen Napoli and Marseille, I found this city poor and vulgar. Its streets were dirty, its houses of poor architecture, in short I saw everything in an unfavorable light with the exception of the women who seemed to me more beautiful than the women of Marseille. I was very much disappointed especially when I arrived at the hotel where the service and accommodation were so poor that my companion Mr. Buil, chief of the telegraph office said: “To come from Hotel Noailles and then drop on this!” I was very sad above all when I looked for the persons to whom I was recommended and 1 couldn’t find them. I was not able to see a single countryman, and on account of the large expenses I had had in my trip and the many cheatings I suffered, only 12 pesos remained to me. At last I found the Jesuit fathers who received me well and showed me an inexpensive and Christian house where I got room and board for 21 pesos a month. When I reached the hotel, my companion, having received a telegram, had left hurriedly, carrying my coat in which I kept my passport, my gloves, and I don’t know what else, and in exchange he left me many of his things. I learned that he had been informed of something serious when I saw the telegram on the table. Then I too left the hotel hurriedly, and in less than an hour my little money was further reduced by the dishonest hotel keeper, the coachman, and the porter who over-charged me. I moved to the house indicated to me by the Jesuit fathers and when the people there learned how much I had spent and paid the rogues, they exclaimed: “You have been terribly cheated. In fact they had taken advantage of your being a tyro!” Only seven pesos remained to me. As I looked at the house to which I had moved—modest, humid, dark, and poorly ventilated—located on San Severo Street, a dirty and old alley: as I looked at the brick floor of my room, the straw chairs, the hard and not so tidy bed, not a mirror, an old and broken wash-basin placed on a stand made of four pieces of iron, I, accustomed to luxury and comfort, at least for the last forty days, became intensely dispirited and sad and more than ever with deep sorrow I remembered our house which is a thousand times more decent than that. Then a thousand sad thoughts invaded my mind upon finding myself in that world hitherto unknown to me, without friends, without relatives, especially when the landlord came (for until then I had met only the landlady, a good and gentle woman) who was rough, coarse, ugly in appearance, when I saw priests come out from all the rooms and heard everywhere the harsh Catalan language. Supper consisted of nothing more than a dish of vegetables and another of fish. I called the attention of the priests, the only guests of that house, and I observed that underneath that rough exterior a good disposition was hidden. Little by little those clouds were dissipated and they treated me with more consideration, especially a priest who had come from Cuba. Ah! I forgot to say that, having learned at the Jesuit College that Cuesta was boarding in the same house, I hurriedly went there to see my countryman, but I couldn’t talk with him because he had left for Manresa. I stayed then at that house to await him and also for reasons of economy. The following day, provided with a map of the city, I began walking through the streets of that labyrinth to look for my countrymen. Some were still sleeping. I went to the hospital to wait for them there and after waiting a long time, I was shown the house of a countryman. I found Cabangis5and since then I have had better days. Successively I found the others who received me very well, who found for me more decent and cheaper houses. I met Cuesta6 who returned from Manresa. In short, since then until the present I like Barcelona and I’m getting to like it more and more. At present I occupy a room on the third floor of a building on Sitjes Street, number 3, together with Cabangis and other good students who are refined and courteous. I’m well served by a landlady, whose name is Doña Silvestra, who always says to me: “Don Pepe, do you want something? Have you already an appetite?” and so on. I have somewhat written at length about certain things in order to portray to you the impressions and situation of a tyro. Now I know Barcelona a little and it seems to me large and pretty and I remember Marseille and Napoli [Naples] as a glittering and vanished dream. I’m beginning to discover in this city gems and riches; pretty and elegant houses of varied architecture, Arabic and Greco-Roman. I’m getting used to it and I regard it with pleasure. The Jesuit fathers lent me money in case I should lack some and something happen to me. I have gone through their College and I’m making a study of various things to apply them there when I return. I’ve visited a porcelain factory which I liked very much and I intend to visit another of glass, clay, etc. Here are found many things which are applicable there.

When some of you want to write me, which I hope you’ll do every mail boat, address me thus:

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

No. 3, Floor 3, Sitjes Street 

Barcelona.

If you could send me by registered mail through the next mail boat my birth certificate and a statement that I have my parents and family there, I would be much obliged.

I don’t know if you have received my letters; I’ve written you at Singapore, Point Galle, Aden, Suez, and this at Barcelona. I expect by next mail letters addressed to Father Ramón Vilalta.7 

Every moment I’m thinking of what you would be doing at this time; I’m behind you eight hours, so that generally you are sleeping when I’m awake. I trust that you are all in good health like me who is putting on weight.

I’m sending the most affectionate regards to all of you and to all our relatives, and when you write me, tell me even about nephews and friends. Give my regards to the parish priest and to Capitán Juan8as well as to the others.

And bless your son who wishes only your happiness.

JOSÉ RIZAL

Barcelona, 29 June

Today, probably the feast on the beach [Kalamba)],9I close my letters with regret for not having received even one letter from you by the two mails which arrived from here.

I believe that it would be better if there is a commercial firm here which would give me money at the beginning of every month. This can be done by means of a money order of a firm there. The family of Cabangis of Tondo which my brother knows…

01-027 [Family]

1882.06.26 Bulacan

From: Silvestre Ubaldo

To: José Rizal

Rizal’s parents are sad on account of his departure — Teodora Alonso to be the sole source of Rizal’s money — Ubaldo wants to be transferred from Bulacan to Calamba.

* * *

 Bulacan, 26 June 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

ESTEEMED JOSÉ,

I thank you for your recommendation in my favor; I thank you for remembering us; and we are glad that you arrived safely in that country… 

I tell you that Father becomes exceedingly sad every time he remembers you, so that I always say to him that you are coming back soon and not to worry about you for you are going to meet soon. What he does often is to go to Olimpia’s store and there amuse himself. 

Mother does not want anybody else but herself to send you money, so that whatever amount you may need, you should write to her.

I’m here now in Bulacan, assigned as agent, since the 23rd of this month, the day before the eve of the fiesta of Calamba. If you can do me a favor there by having me transferred to Calamba, recommend me to the Inspector General of Communications, the Most Illustrious Andrés de Capua. I’m sure Don Paciano will also write you about me. They will certainly not listen to Mr. Buil at Manila, so you please work it out there at the Ministry, if possible. The whole family does not want us to be away from Calamba. 

Until here, many regards and command your brother-in-law who is ready at any time.

SILVESTRE UBALDO

03-028 [Reformists]

1882.06.30 Trinidad St., Sta. Cruz Manila

From: Vicente Gella

To: Jose Rizal

Rizal has separated from his family and friends to seek “the welfare that we all desire” – News of Rizal is eagerly awaited – His friends and relatives are saddened by his absence – His family approves of his going abroad – Town fiesta of Kalamba

* * *

Trinidad Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila

30 June 1882

Mr. Jose Rizal

My dear and esteemed Rizal,

If the absence of a son from the bosom of his esteemed family is sad, no less will be that of a friend who, being very dear to all of us who have had the honor of being called his friends and comrades, now is away from us seeking the welfare that we all desire. Had it not been for that, the separation would have been more painful for the distance that separates us. May God help you for the good that you do to your fellow countrymen.

With the arrival of the steamship Salvadora that took you to Singapore, we have forgathered at the house of your Uncle Antonio to find out something about your trip. When your Uncle Antonio saw me and your compadre going up, he gave us at once an embrace on your behalf. Immediately followed [was] the reading of your letter addressed to the Compañerismo and [letter is abruptly cut at end of page]

04-029 [Misc.]

1882.07.11                                 Manila

From: Jose M. Cecilio

To: Jose Rizal

Receives letters of Rizal from Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo – News of mutual friends.

*       *       *

Manila, 11 July 1882

MR. JOSE RIZAL

MY DEAR FRIEND AND NAMESAKE,

For the duration of my eye ailment I had to deprive myself to many things, for I was closed up in the house for three months. Now that I am completely cured I am going to pick up the pen write you that, according the information of the landlord and Gella, who attended your town fiesta, it was as grand as that of year before last. What a pity I was not there because my illness did not permit me; otherwise I would have applauded Ramon Arrieta who played the role of Cucufate in Classical Music.

I am informed of the contents of your three letters written in Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo. It was a great satisfaction for me to read in them the flattering treatment accorded you by your fellow passengers, particularly the former governor of Antique, and the care they lavished on you when you got seasick. In the understanding that you continued your voyage, you should now be strolling in the capital city of Barcelona, if not in Madrid. I felicitate you on your happy arrival, as we all wished and hoped. Soon we shall receive letters from you written in Spain. How we devoured what you have addressed to us!

As you will read in the letters of your brother and the landlord these two oblige you to go to Madrid for reasons they explain in them.

In compliance with your request I delivered all your books and other articles to your sister Maria who came with your mother on the night of … of last month, birthday of the landlord. On this occasion, we had a special dinner, the invited guests being the Vazquez girls and Mamerta. There was not much merry-making because the landlord is in mourning for the recent death of his brother Pepe (may he rest in peace). I wrote a little speech which is worth at least two, though it is bad for me to say so, that was read after the dinner by one Juan Moran of Lingayen, who has come here to put a boy in school.

Last night I was with friend Miciano at the house of Margarita whose family I visited in your name and they send you their affectionate regards as well as many thanks. I entertained the girl M. with my everlasting chatter, but I also saddened her with the news that we received that V.J. is gravely ill of rheumatism in one leg which, according to medical opinion, ought to be amputated. Just imagine, if the opinion of that physician is carried out if it will not leave him half man. You cannot depict the marked sadness on the face of his sweetheart. Poor betrothed!

My numerous pursuits have not allowed me until now to pay a visit to the girls in Sta. Cruz. This evening I shall have to work until a late hour and soon will come days when I shall have to work from 9 to 12 at night on account of the blessed appropriations. Not for this however will Rizalian relations with that district be cut off, because I shall try to pay them a visit before the little night work comes, if the weather does not prevent it, inasmuch as for days it has been raining at intervals and not so heavy.

Your French leave has surprised many friends to the point of pricking their curiosity and they ask if there was something serious about it.

I repeat that my work does not permit me now to give you many news, but trusting that they will all be in the landlord’s letter to you, I will close here until the next, wishing you much happiness and you know you can command at your pleasure your friend and comrade,

     JOSE M. CECILIO

P.S. 

As you will understand, with the little time at my disposal, I cannot make this letter literary and therefore it is all written hastily.

It seems that we can expect earthquakes, for at dawn of the 9th we already felt a rather appreciable earthquake.

01-030 [Family]

1882.07.24 Calamba

From: Paciano Rizal

To: José Rizal

More on Calamba’s town fiesta —  Family news — Rizal’s allowance.

* * *

Calamba, 24 July 1882

DEAR BROTHER,

I was not able to write you in the preceding mail about what occurred during the fiesta, because I was sure that uncle Antonio would inform you about it; and then an indisposition that I had precisely on the day of the fiesta prevented me from finding out the date of the departure of the mail. Now that I know it, I’ll tell you something about it.

Days before the fiesta, almost all the Manila newspapers talked about it and they talked so much that El Comercio offended the sensitiveness of the lieutenant of the civil guard of this town by an announcement that in substance said that there would be plenty of cockfighting and other things. The good lieutenant has no reason to take this to heart because, if they make him blush on one hand, on the other they made it up to him liberally. In the meantime, the days were spent in the preparation of platforms, bamboo arches, and other things, and the day before the eve many people from other towns arrived, so that everybody predicted that the fiesta would be grand. I consider El Comercio right because it referred to this. On the eve of the fiesta there was a heavy rain which undoubtedly dissuaded many real visitors from nearby towns from coming. Hence, as for me nothing notable occurred on the first day, except at night in the yard of the theater where it was a little lively despite the cloudy sky, for there were gathered there almost all my friends and acquaintances of the gay group, of the Curia, that is, the secular and regular clergy and the civil guard who were seated the side of the curtain, perhaps in order that their respectable seriousness might not be confounded with the people in the yard or to see better the actresses that came out to the platform, inasmuch as they left at 4:00 after the performance was over. The second day was a repetition of the first, the only difference being the heavy downpour during the evening procession which soaked the Virgin and all the saints. Afterwards the fireworks and a larger number of people at the theater, leaving no space empty within the yard; here was the fiesta. 

At home we had less visitors than in any year; the same is true in other houses. By telling you that we had only uncle Antonio, Ferrer, and Gella you can judge how we spent the fiesta. Notwithstanding, I ought not to omit the dinner on the second day which was gay and lasted two hours during which many things were talked about, among them being the difference between our hours and those in that place where you are. The rest of the conversation was at the expense of Doña Basilia. About myself I can tell you that since the eve, I had a headache and coughing and because of the affair of that night, I caught fever the following morning. I had a sudorific, which agreed with me, but in place of the fever, red spots appeared on mv body which they say are measles. I had them for three days. In spite of everything, I enjoyed a little, watching the others. Then I lost my appetite for a long time, but now I am well again as before.

Silvestre was assigned to Bulacan. He left sad on the day before the eve of the fiestá. It is really difficult to leave seeing festive preparations, to separate from his new family, and to bury himself in a town which is not of his liking. He said to me that he would write you about this; I don’t know if you have already received it. I have written to Basilio about the same matter, because his brother, while here, offered his services in such cases. until now I have not received his reply but instead one from uncle Antonio in which he tells me that, despite his sickness. Teodoro works in agreement with him.

Apropos diseases: There is cholera in Manila and they say that they are hiding it very carefully, so that abroad they will not declare this port dirty and consequently create another obstacle to the export trade. In our town we had three cases in the course of one month and all of them fatal.

Lucía gave birth to a robust boy whom they named after you. There was a gathering on the day of the baptism. Tacio has completely recovered from his illness. This is the second letter I send you, probably I shall not be able to write you in every mail; I shall lack material for it on account of the monotonous life in this provincial town; one day is like all the rest in the year, neither more nor less; but if something happens I shall not fail to write you. 

As to your letters, the last we have received is dated at Suez, received here on the 20th. How letters are delayed!

Uncle Antonio is in charge of your allowance from whom you will receive ₱35 monthly. The preceding remittances were fifty pesos each.

If you will receive anything different, don’t be surprised because there is no other way. The most valuable things that are in trust here cannot become our own property, as that is the order of the day.

I know that we ought not to meddle in other people’s affairs, but as I want to fill the remaining blank space, I shall fail in my duty if I do not tell you about a certain young woman here who, on the dav of your departure, was wooed by an old man, but now with the death of Mena, she is courted in due form by another ravenous old man who leaves her not a moment of rest and will end by subduing her, as it happens to all those women who defend themselves poorly.

Farewell. When shall we receive your letters dated at the capital?

Your brother,

PACIANO

Today the 25th at 6:15 in the morning a moderate earthquake; at 6:30 another one.

01-031 [Family]

1882.08.24 Calamba

From: Antonino López

To: José Rizal

Family news — His brother-in-law Antonino López generously offers to send Rizal money.

* * *

Calamba, 24 August 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL MERCADO

 DEAR JOSÉ,

We received your letter which you left with uncle Antonio when you left Manila. We understood all that you said in it, as well as your best wishes for our welfare. Likewise, we received your many regards to us and the children through your last letters that arrived here. For all this we thank without end first God and secondly you. We are also hoping that the Virgin Mother and Her Son may extend to you her valuable blessing and grant all that your heart desires that will redound to the benefit of yourself and all of us.

Though it is too late, I wish to tell you of the sadness of the whole family when they received the news of your departure for Europe. All of them became numbed on account of the suddenness of the news. They could not understand what had happened. They pitied you, believing that you have left without the things needed by one who travels. But later the Almighty dispelled all their fears and gave them some relief when they learned you did not lack the necessary things. 

The first thing that I’m going to tell you is that Father and Mother and all those in the house, Sra. Neneng and her husband, and Lucía, including all the children, are all in good health thank God, as we all here wish God would bestow on you.

Lucía gave birth to a baby boy in June to whom they gave the name José. His godfather is Sr. Paciano. Sra. Neneng will undoubtedly deliver this month. After St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day, Ipia went to Bulacan where Ubaldo is assigned as officer-in-charge of the telegraph station. On the 11th of this month Mother and María visited them and at the same time attended at their invitation the town fiesta, which was celebrated on the 15th of this month.

Here at Calamba, as well as in every barrio there is a procession every night praying God to spare the town of the plague. All foodstuffs that may cause illness, like those with bad smell, such as small dried fish, pickled fish, and the like, are forbidden; therefore the town of Calamba is very clean.

We have no other thing to send you but endless best regards and a tight embrace. Your nephews kiss your hand and you command your brother-in-law who awaits your orders eagerly.

A. López 

P.S.

In case you need there something, like money, for which you are ashamed to ask your parents, let us know, as we are ready to send it to you. Don’t hesitate to ask us, because we offer you with all our heart whatever is within our means in view of our good relations.

THE SAME

01-032 [Family]

1882.[?].08

From: Narcisa Rizal

To: José Rizal

More family news — Rizal’s letters are eagerly awaited —  Lack of town news.

* * *

(No date. August 1882?)

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Our sadness at first has given way to endless joy in our heart. Every time we receive your letters we thank the Almighty that nothing untoward has happened to you, despite the great distance that separates us. Don’t resent our failure to write you in the last mail. Even though we don’t write you, we don’t forget you a single moment, especially in our prayers to the Lord and the Virgin. The children also are always talking about you during their play. I often hear the three E., A., and Antonio, discussing you. And when they hear your name mentioned in our conversations, they at once ask if you are coming home and where you are. Icang is good, because she can say that you are at Barcelona; E. says Colombo; and Antonio says Paña; and so the three often have an argument; they cannot agree about you. María, Pangoy, and Trining say that they will not write you for the present because they have nothing more to tell you, as we have exhausted all the news. As you already know, here we lack news, so that our letters to you are devoid of news except family ones. However, the plague, that is said to be in Manila, has not yet reached our town, thank God. No one has yet died among our friends. T. Luis has a difficult ailment; he has gone to Manila for treatment but he has not improved. Icang has not become stout since you left; Chabeng is like a melon.

Our relatives, friends, and above all we your siblings who can never forget you send you our best regards. Father and Mother bless you at all times. Don’t expect them to write you because their eyes are already weak. Don’t fail to include them in your prayers and ask the Lord to grant them a long life and strength so that on your return you may receive the tight embrace and blessing of our dearest parents. 

Your sister who esteems you tenderly.

NARCISA RIZAL 

01-033 [Family]

1882.08.25 Calamba

From: Paciano Rizal

To: José Rizal

Rizal’s allowance — Ravages of cholera — Closing of schools at Manila.

* * *

Calamba, 25 August 1882

DEAR BROTHER,

As the curate and Antonino are writing you, I will take advantage of this opportunity to tell you something. Your last letter received here is dated at Barcelona; I don’t know if any letter is missing; it would therefore be desirable that henceforth you number them all. In that letter, among other things, you say that I contact some foreign firm or commercial house from which you can get your allowance regularly. This is good and I’ll do it, though not now, because I cannot go down to Manila on account of my work and other things; but, as soon as I can go there, I’ll try without fail to arrange with one. You who are there will know better what it costs to live there decently, so that I hope you will write the amount of allowance that I ought to send you.

I have many things to tell you but I shall reserve them for the next mail. The only thing I can tell you now is that Calamba, or better Biga, is a veritable Tower of Babel. All the students and non-students, college girls and not college girls are there and for three days and are under observation if they carry the plague on their bodies. Everybody is going home on account of the closing of educational establishment for both sexes. Every province is virtually isolated from the others. The cholera inspires such fear that the court, the civil guard, and the telegraph are very busy.

We are in good health.

Your brother,

PACIANO 

04-034 [Misc.]

1882.07.11 Manila

From: Fr. Leoncio Lopez

To: Jose Rizal

Wishes Rizal success in his studies – More on the fiesta of Kalamba – Cholera ravages Manila – Closing of the schools.

*       *       *

Kalamba, 25 August 1882

MR. JOSE RIZAL

MY DISTINGUISHF.D FRIEND,

I received your letter and I thank you infinitely for the affectionate sentiments and benevolence that you dedicate to me. I must tell you that your sudden departure surprised me and at the same time caused me anguish and dejection, but it did not take me long to console myself by thinking that you have realized your beautiful dream. May God will that your ardent enthusiasm for the sciences, literature, and fine arts produce the desired result, and if possible within a short time, so that before I leave this vale of tears, I can give you in person my congratulation with my soul bursting with joy and clasp your hand affectionately.

In accordance with your request I went to your house, I spoke to your parents, your brother, and sisters, and I saw copious tears running down their cheeks. However, 1 have the pleasure to tell you that, without my doing anything, I have found them all agreed and resigned.

Over here we have had thirty-five days of squalls with gusts of wind of hurricane strength that caused no little damage to the plantations.

Despite the bad weather, the town fiesta was most animated on account of the numerous people who attended it. There was a play, there were five music bands, magnificent fireworks, and other things.

Fifteen days after the fiesta your sister Olimpia went to Bulacan to live with her husband who is in charge of the telegraph office of that town.

I’m not going to stop here to tell you about the magnificent festival held on the occasion of the inauguration of the Carriedo water system in the capital because first you will read it described in great detail in the Diario de Manila, La Oceania, and other Manila newspapers; and secondly because it does not seem to me the proper time to speak of fiestas in these critical and discouraging times.

The dreaded cholera is raging in the walled city and its districts and though all the local newspapers try through a thousand means to extenuate its ravages in order to raise the morale of the people, its victims are so many that the governor general has been obliged to issue a decree declaring the port of Manila filthy. Persons who have just come from the city tell me that every day an average of 50 persons die of it.

May God have mercy on us and remove from these Islands this terrible calamity.

As a precautionary measure all educational institutions are closed and all the college including the Seminary are vacated.

Your nephews Emilio, Angelica, and Antonio join their parents in their daily prayers to God and the Virgin so that they may help you achieve your laudable aspirations and shower uncessingly on your soul their most valuable blessings. Your little niece Isabel does not know yet how to talk, but taught by her parents, she now begins to babble the name of her absent uncle.

That you may be completely satisfied is the wish of your attentive servant and devoted friend who kisses your hand,

LEONCIO LOPEZ

03-035 [Reformists]

1882.08.28 Manila

From: José M. Cecilio

To: Jose Rizal

Rizal is remembered by his friends in Manila – His fiancée Leonor Rivera feels deeply his absence – His essay El amor patrio (Love of Country) appears in Diariong Tagalog – Cholera in Manila – At Madrid Rizal can cooperate with other Filipinos there working for their country’s welfare – The friars in the Philippines are despotic – Rizal should study law.

* * *

Manila, 28 August 1882

Mr. Jose Rizal

My dear Namesake and Friend,

I received your letter of 28 June last from which I learned with genuine pleasure that you are now in Barcelona enjoying the views of that commercial city and that you are freed from the incidents that almost always occur in such a highly important voyage as you have undertaken. You did not have less of these incidents and some of which are a little extraordinary, as for example, you thought the train departed when scarcely you had begun to do what had compelled you to go down the train. At first it seemed to make one pity you, but looking at it closely, it is really laughable.

This morning the landlord received your letter in which you tell him to address his reply to Madrid. In it I note that you continue to enjoy good health, which, as you know, gives me real pleasure.

In my preceding letter, written hastily, you will note that I had that blessed ophthalmia for nearly three months. Now completely well, I have no other complaint but the numerous tasks that have fallen over me. It seems that I have fallen into prison working day and night with the difference that in prison there are whips and in the office none, but soon I shall finish the urgent tasks that compel me to work more hours than are required.

I delivered in due time the letter of Captain José Valenzuela.

I made two calls on the family of this gentleman in your name and I found our charming O….even more amiable than before. On my way to her house I learned from Pedro Gella that it seems that S….has asked for the hand of this young woman. This somewhat disturbed me since I knew that friend was very much after D….P….after whom before was P….In order to find out if it was true I made her this joke, which she denied categorically and I told her that if any news can sadden you in that distant land, it will be no other than for you to learn that your hopes in her have ended. To this she replied that she did not know that I have lice on my body.

We played tresiete (T…., O…., Galicano, and I), but afterwards O….spread out her cards and asked me to bet on one of them. Without hesitation I bet you on a horse against one five and I won. Then I told her that it was a clear proof that what I told her about her love affairs were true. I don’t know if she understood that you were the proxy of S….but I informed her that he was present and she knows too well who he is.

T…., your intimate friend, how she remembers the things that you used to do when she was single. She requests me to give you a pinch of her F…., born after your departure from this capital city. They asked me how long were you going to stay there and I answered them that at least ten years and when you returned you could make love to F….Then Orang, Candeng, Chengoy, and Titay, who were present, answered that you would kiss their hands. I rejoined that there was no other remedy, but Mariano, brother of Mentang, split the subject in the middle saying that it could not be so for the reason that you ought to have two objects. Here Troy burned. All of them, including Capitana Sanday, send you their most affectionate regards and Orang wishes you to find there a good-looking girl.

Also, I visited the family of the elegant girl Margarita. Grateful, she sends you her regards. According to news, the leg of friend V….is already well and he will be at this capital city until the beginning of the coming month. M….was almost left half breathing, for figuring out if he had not been cured and his leg was amputated, if he would have any desire to come to Manila and continue this engagement to her and his studies, and above all the most serious question is: would she accept him with one leg.

There is a person who has felt deeply your absence and says that had she been here when you left you would not have succeeded to get away. She deserves pity. You must have already received a letter from her by now as I write this. That she loves you there is no doubt now.

In the Diariong Tagalog of the 20 of this month is published your article El amor patrio. On this I give you my most enthusiastic congratulations. I’m only sorry that it has many typographical errors.

In this newspaper you will see that cholera has invaded Manila and its districts and causes considerable ravages. It has also invaded the greater number of the provinces in the south. The landlord will give you a detailed account of its victims. Because of this terrible guest we are few in the house, many having gone home to their respective towns.

Vicente Gella is still here. He was already to go home on account of the cholera but no boat would take him and the poor man is left with his anxiety to leave.

I’m very glad that you will go to Madrid where you can do many things in favor of this country jointly with the other Filipinos. So long as we have the pen tied to …[illegible word] or better said, so long as they do not give us freedom of the press, abuses, arbitrariness, and injustices will prevail more than in other parts of the world. It is difficult if not impossible to attain this in …[illegible] from the Europeans with vested interests, as in Cuba …[illegible] and to this is due its progress to a modern and more liberal scientific administration.

As you know there are some guys with excessive influence in this country and these are the friars who are the limit of despotism. It would be advisable for you to do something about them.

Your compadres and comadres send you regards and your godchildren fond kisses.

The Vasquez girls who inquire about you also sent you regards.

Don’t change your plan to study law because it will be very useful to you and it will give you glory in that city.

The landlord’s letter is the leading article and this is of local interest. Is this not the case?

You know that he esteems you truly and you can command your affectionate friend,

Che

03-036 [Reformists]

1882.09.12 4 Salazar, Trozo, Manila

From: Basilio Teodoro Moran

To: Jose Rizal

Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog, reports to Rizal the censorship of his article El amor patrio – High praise for his literary work – Moran thinks Diarion Tagalog cannot live long on account of the indifference of the Filipinos – he will send regularly issues of it to Rizal – He requests Rizal to send him articles and news digests and appoints him staff writer.

* * *

4 Salazar, Trozo, Manila

12 September 1882

Mr. José Rizal Mercado

Esteemed Friend,

When we published your article El Amor Patrio, the terrible cholera morbus has begun to claim thousands of victims in this capital city. In these last days it has slackened its fatal effects, due undoubtedly to the energetic measures that our most worthy governor general, the Marquis of Estella, has taken to combat it and to the atmospheric change observed lately on account of continuous squalls and rains that we are having.

Your article was published whole in one single issue (of 20 August last) so that it would not lose its interest. The censor of this periodical has boldly added the distinctive mark of el Bueno to the name Guzman, which the editor strongly disapproved telling him rightly that he ought never to add to or remove from an article even one letter, inasmuch as the one who does so becomes ridiculous in desiring to share the glory of its author; and if the editorial staff considers an article bad, it should not publish it, but it must not mutilate it. After this reprimand of the aforesaid censor, we have excused his fault which was the result of misunderstood zeal rather than of a blamable desire, and I hope you will do the same.

The members of this editorial staff including the editor, and enlightened groups of this capital have lavished praises on your work and said that neither here nor in Spain, except Castelar, can produce an equal literary work so full of opportune concepts and poetic images. I therefore felicitate you warmly for it wishing that you continue the work you have begun, for all of us predict, for you unfading honors for your own glory and that of the Spanish border that saw you born.

I don’t know yet if the Diariong Tagalog can support itself. I doubt it because our fellow countrymen are indifferent to it.

By this mail we send you a set of this periodical from its first appearance to date and in the future you will receive the issues as they come out.

We should like to request you to favor us with a fortnightly review of the topmost news of that city and of others in Europe, six or eight articles every fortnight, and see if there are publications there that would like to exchange with us, and if you do not find any, you can subscribe for a year to a newspaper. If by chance there is someone there who wants to subscribe to ours, it would be desirable for you to accept it. We give you ample powers and you can consider yourself, as we already consider you, collaborator and staff writer of the Diariong Tagalog.

The expenses that you may incur in such activities.

I avail myself of this opportunity to offer you my highest consideration.

Your very affectionate friend and servant who kisses your hand,

Basilio Teodoro Moran

P.S.

Also please subscribe to another Madrid periodical for us and send it directly to us because if it is delayed, its news loses its importance as other newspapers might have published them already. Please do the same with letters, reviews and articles.

If your work will allow you, I beg you not to fail to send at least your literary articles every fortnightly, because I’m planning to reduce the personnel so that the periodical can support itself. Now the expenses amount to one thousand four hundred pesos monthly. You already know that I don’t count on a large fund.

I will reimburse you for your mailing expenses.

01-037 [Family]

1882.09.15 Calamba

From: Paciano Rizal

To: José Rizal

More ravages of the cholera — Earthquakes — Work in Pansol — Family news.

* * *

Calamba, 15 September 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

Your letter dated 31 July at Barcelona is the latest one that we received here on 12 September; it takes the mail from there to here from 40 to 45 days then. How many things can happen during that time!

In my last letter I mentioned something about the prevailing cholera here; this time I’ll tell you about it at length. When it was officially declared in Manila, land and sea communications were interrupted. Ships corning from filthy ports were forbidden to stop here. The steamers that come from Manila go directly to Sta. Cruz (Laguna) to be fumigated and are quarantined for twelve hours. Towns are not allowed to communicate with each other or enjoy any consideration, except with the permission of the government. This is with respect to the relations between the towns. As to the social life in our town, many people go to church in the morning to attend daily prayers as prescribed the Archbishop’s pastoral letter. There is a continuous movement of men carrying bottles to get medicine. The priests are always riding in vehicles to bring spiritual aid to where they are called. In the afternoon there are bonfires in many places to serve as disinfectant and the people again go to church to recite the novena to St. Roch. At night processions, sometimes three, cross one another in the streets until late hours. At their conclusion the participants eat at the house of the leader, who prepares food and fireworks as much as his resources permit. What I admire in these things is the contrast between the sentiments of old and young. The old grieve when they ought to rejoice because the plague makes them see their end closer. The young rejoice when they ought to grieve because they are in danger of not being able to fulfill the object for which they have come to this world.

Now that the plague is at its peak, an average of 15 persons die daily. From night to morning healthy and robust men become corpses or at least, so completely unrecognizable and emaciated, hovering between life and death. Those who succumb to any other disease deserve to be envied, because, at least, they are attended and taken care of at their homes, they are taken to church and are buried in the cemetery but the victims of this scourge cannot comfort themselves that they are treated thus. Their relatives, even the close ones, flee away; they are not taken care of and if sometimes they are attended to, they become a heavy burden to their companions in the house who fear contagion. They are wrapped up and buried with the Chinese. It is a sad thing to die under these circumstances and of this disease; one is exposed to be devoured by dogs. I doubt very much if the grave has depth of two spans, and there is a throng of dogs around. If we were of the Brahmin caste, this kind of transmigration would be the most natural thing for us, but as we are Catholics, as such we wish our ashes to be respected.

Notwithstanding, it is now time to begin the works in Pansol. I’m going to postpone it in order not to be separated from the family under these circumstances, though it is true that they are all enjoying perfect health and above all the old folks. Nevertheless, they do not fail to redouble their carefulness. This punishment seems to be taking roots in this town it has been here one month. You will miss many persons upon your return.

We have at home Sra. Neneng and Sisa with her family. They left their houses to avoid contagion from cholera patients.

Yesterday our elder sister gave birth to a boy, red like a tomato. They are thinking of naming him Porfirio. To me this does not sound well, because it is difficult to pronounce. In my opinion the name does not honor the individual but the individual the name. Brutus is the ugliest name ever and nevertheless, for the deeds of the fellow that bore it, it is pronounced with respect and admiration. I have not said anything to them on this.

With the plague come the earthquakes—a double penalty for one who lives in a house like ours and at the same time who has life to lose.

The question of Quintero ended like yours, or perhaps better, because it was settled the following morning to the satisfaction of the stronger party, administering, according to what they said, some cudgellings to the offender inside his house. It is useless to expect in these cases a complete reparation in accordance with the principles of justice while we are in this world.

Tacio has recovered from his terrible sickness. Lucino, his physician, has thereby gained a good reputation and six hundred pesos.

As I cannot go down to Manila now. The bank draft, like that of Cabangis, that I promised you, cannot be sent to you till about November or December. 

If in this letter I have painted things with a pale color, I should not be accused of being a pessimist, because I see things only under that point of view. I don’t know if this is a sickness, but the truth is that it is not a vice, and indeed it has a large portion of truth in it.

PACIANO

When we received the telegram that asked for one hundred pesos without any letter of yours and without explanations, we were frightened, believing that something might have happened to you.

See if something good can be done for Silvestre there.

As this letter did not overtake the last mail, for the ships did not stop here then, it leaves today, 27th of September. Last night we received your letter with another addressed to Ubaldo. Now, cholera cases are very rare; they are found in the barrios.

All the family are in good health, thank God.

03-038 [Reformists]

1882.09.16 and 1882.10.19 Manila

From: José M. Cecilio

To: Jose Rizal

Misuse of funds assigned for the control of the cholera epidemic – Closing of schools on account of the cholera – News of friends – Centenary of St. Theresa celebrated – Reiterates his advice to Rizal to study law – Italian opera company at Manila – Innauguration of the Carriedo Waterworks – Leonor Rivera’s tears – Death of Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila

* * *

Manila, 16 September 1882

Mr. José Rizal

My esteemed Namesake and Friend,

After the visit I made to the Valenzuela family one day last month, it has not been possible for me to make another on account of the coming of the cholera morbus which has upset the spirit of the peaceful inhabitants of this capital city. As a hygienist, you know very well that under the present conditions, it is advisable that one should be isolated and refrain from visiting to avoid contagion. Thanks to the energetic measures adopted by the governor general the evil is now about to disappear, for in some districts no cases are reported and the others trust that they can announce any day now pleasant and comforting news. You will learn about this measures in the local newspapers. As in all calamities that occur in this country, there are many who profit from them. How they swallow with dexterity the funds destined for the calamity and then laugh at half of Manila.

In the measures ordered by the governor general were wise; however, when some of them were interpreted or carries; either through stupidity or evil intention, unfortunately they did not turn out very plausible. A camarinwas built on the beach of Sta. Lucia so that poor persons who live 15 or 16 in one tiny flat can go there and live and it turned out that in that camarin there was a crowd of people and when one went out he lost his right to reenter it; that is, they wanted to imprison people there without giving them either water or anything. As you understand, it is not very good to mention this.

Manila, 19 October 1882

On account of some pressing work what I have written back of this was suspended; but now in continuing it I do it with the greatest pleasure of having before me your letter of 31 August last in which I see that you have already received the first letter that I wrote you as soon as I recovered from the eye trouble that I had suffered for a long time.

In that letter you also inform me of your forthcoming departure from Barcelona to Madrid. For this I felicitate you, because whatever you may say, Madrid is better than a city of the second class as Barcelona is.

I am exceedingly pleased to know that you met at Barcelona a Filipino of very fine sentiments and with even a better head who is called Mr. Enrique Rogers.

I thank you for your congratulations, but the harangue like the few that I have written and you have read when we were living in the Tomasina House does not go beyond there as Raguer said in departure from Barcelona to Madrid. For this I felicitate you, because whatever you may say, Madrid is better than a city of the second class as Barcelona is.

I am exceedingly pleased to know that you met at Barcelona a Filipino of very fine sentiments and with even a better head who is called Mr. Enrique Rogers.

I thank you for your congratulations, but the harangue like the few that I have written and you have read when we were living in the Tomasina House does not go beyond there as Raguer said in Ya somos tres. And how do you want me to go beyond there?

Brave Macao cook is friend Cabangis to whom is due panistada that you had at Barcelona for a farewell. Did he know how to cook well? When he returns to this city, he can open a pansit shop in front of the Church of Tondo.

I thank you also for your wish that I may always enjoy good health which I incessantly ask Heaven to grant you.

I shall take good care to vex with jokes those who were surprised at your sudden departure.

The girls you inquire about in your letter are in good health at present. The Vasquez sisters had a mild attack of cholera but not so the poor Ando, their brother, who within a few hours took a trip to Eternity. Mamerta also was at the point of death on account of the same disease but as it was not her hour yet, she was saved. All these girls and Juna Vasquez, your former client, send you their most affectionate regards.

Titay de Dionisio, your intimate friend, was also attacked by cholera in this city, according to the news I have received, but thank God she was saved. I have not visited again this family since the last time I did in your name and of which I gave you an account in my preceding letter sent to Madrid because of the epidemic that has scourged Manila, but I am informed that they are well.

I did not tell you about your kind family in my letters knowing that the landlord is in charge of writing about it. For your satisfaction I can say that your family are in good health and the town……..

Your friends and fellow townsmen have gone to their town where they are remaining until now on account of the closing of the schools. These will open soon inasmuch as cholera cases are very few nowadays. According to the medical meeting held in the Civil Government, the epidemic remains in the city and it is advisable to take very great care so that it would not rebound as it is happening today in some districts.

I can tell you almost nothing about the spirit of the students as the majority of them are out of the city and those who remain here are perturbed, but at present they are recovering their former natural gaiety.

As there were almost no students at the house we could not do anything on the last day of the Most Holy Rosary of Manila. For this reason I could not invite our lady friends of Sta. Cruz. I’m sorry and I’m ashamed of it.

This is the last day of the novena of Our Lady of the Pillar in Sta. Cruz, for having begun a day ahead, that is, on the 11th of this month, but I don’t know if the procession came out because there was a heavy downpour at about 7:00 o’clock in the evening which prevented Pichon and me from reaching that district.

The centenary of St. Theresa was celebrated here with pomp. Last Sunday, the 15th instant, the distribution of prizes took place. You [will] be glad that almost all those who received prizes were our compatriots, with the exception of the prizes for poetry which was won by one Miss Isabel Schez y Martinez whose work in décimas was written in Sevilla; accessit, Fr. Arias, your friend; honorable mention, a Jesuit named Pablo Benguet, second honorable mention, a Filipino of Caivte, Pedro Pay de los Santos; diploma, Fr. Rubin de Celis, parish priest of Malate, Augustinian; and the second diploma, Mr. José Ma. de Laredo, secretary of the Council of Administration. In music one singer of the Cathedral called José Canseco received the gold medal, leaving behind the director of the chapel of the Cathedral because the composition of the latter obtained only second prize. The third prize was awarded to a Filipino of Quiapo, Manuel A. Mata; and the honorable mention to Mr. Leonardo Silos, senior musician of the Regiment of Infantry, No. 5. In sculpture, the first prize went to Captain Chenchen Aréevalo and the second prize to Alejandro Barcelon of Sta. Cruz, of the sculptors’ guild. In painting, the first prize went to Lorenzo Guerrero and the second to Felix Martinez who must be the nephew of Captain Tino of Sta. Cruz.

What more things are lacking in our Tenorio letters that you would like to know? If it is about our roamings believe me we have ceased to belong to the roamers. One gets tired of everything and especially in view of the circumstances that we had gone through.

I am glad that our actors are better than some there.

You are right in commiserating with me in these times of earthquakes and cholera which confound me.

Don’t fail to study law because it will be useful in the achievement of the purpose you have in mind. Your brother will be informed when someone shall leave for that country.

Our friend J. of Iloilo, according to news, is again suffering from his legs. Poor man! All the more because, according to Leonor, his engagement to the elegant Miss….is broken off. This family is in good health and has requested me to convey to you every time I write you their most affectionate regards.

In the house we are very comfortable; we are only five and the lads of the landlord’s family: Pichon, Espina, a new relative of de Leon, who is in the first year of the secondary course, a telegraph operator called Paredes of Ilocos Norte who moved here some days ago, and your poor namesake who will soon leave this Babylonian mansion with regret perhaps. I am waiting for my family any day now inasmuch as the contract has terminated since the end of last month and I do not know why they don’t come. I will give you the address of my new house, for nothing more is wanting.

We have here an Italian theatrical company which is fairly good. The opera Faust is announced for this evening. I do not know if the tenor will sing false notes for the opera is of the first class.

Yeyeng [Praxedes Fernandez] has left Compañia de Cubero because she wants to rest. Now Raguer plays her roles and Tagaroma is still active at present.

On account of my numerous and pressing tasks I was unable to attend the grand inauguration of the water system, that is, the first system that will supply Manila and its districts with an element whose necessity has long been felt by their inhabitants. It was solemn and grand according to those who went to Sampaloc to attend it. The landlord had his difficulties This gentleman planned a thing which was carried out but not without giving him headaches and it was the following: Write a speech to be read before the General in Sampaloc on the morning of the inauguration. The aforementioned speech must be delivered by the students who would go there with a music band. A sufficient number of copies of the speech would be printed for distribution among the chiefs and people attending the inauguration. First difficulty: Not finding one to write the speech. How you were missed! Second: Not finding a music band because all music bands were engaged. Third: the printing press failed when the copies were being printed. Fourth: To get the license for printing the speech. It was true he had thought of doing everything at the eleventh hour. The landlord reached as far as Malacañang to ask for the permit. And do you know who agreed to write the speech? Our friend Juan Miciano and afterwards Mr. Pedro Paterno criticized it.

Poor Miciano lost his mother a week ago, a victim of cholera. He lives with his cousin at the Oriental Bazaar. Of course, without father or mother or brothers, he has no other alternative but to live with his nearest relative. I am going to dedicate a paragraph to the woman who loves you most in the world and she is the one of the Orient. What tears this poor woman shed during the first days after her return from her town and did not find you in the house but five thousand leagues away from Manila! Your sister Maria can tell you about her because she cried in her presence. One day she told me that now she had no humor for anything, not even for her most intimate friends and she wanted to dye all of her clothes black. I replied that she must not despair because the years pasan fugaces (the beginning of my first composition. Do you remember?); and above all she must console herself for when you left, one of your greatest regrets, if not the only one, was to have to separate from her. We have to console her somewhat. The landlady, who likes you very much, also cried every time she remembered you. Poor girl!

Give me news of Madrid, of her students, professors, etc., etc., etc.

The Liceo Artistico has been dissolved, according to what I have heard. Its enthusiastic member, Mr. Francisco Marcaida, died of cholera. Dead also are Quezada of Sta. Cruz, Entrala, author of Filipinos scenes.

Command as you please you very affectionate friend and sincere servant,

José M. Cecilio

01-039 [Family]

1882.09.24 Calamba, Laguna 

From: Manuel De Hidalgo

To: José Rizal

Family news — Birth of Alfredo — Simple baptismal ceremony — Death of family friends.

* * *

Calamba, Laguna 

 24 September 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL 

DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW, 

I begin this letter with news of a notable event in the family. Your sister gave birth to baby boy at 11:45 this morning at the house of our parents, after having gone through the pains of childbirth for a period of 24 hours. He was baptized today at 10:00 o’clock in the morning with the name Alfredo Porfirio, the sponsors being the couple Mr. Narciso Paterno and Mrs. Emilia Venegas of Sta. Cruz, Manila, represented by Paciano and Narcisa. There was no pomp in the baptismal ceremony, except some strokes of the bells (not chimed, which as you know, are what our bells can give), some music that Antonino’s new orchestra played during the ceremony and in conducting the baby home, some large and small firecrackers that made little noise. The only attendants were Pangoy, Trining, your nephews Antoñito, Emilio, and Icang, but you cannot imagine the noisy clamor they made, the promoter being the grand Emilio. At the house of our parents there was only a simple lunch of bread soup for the orchestra and the family and thus it was concluded.

Because of the length of Paciano’s news I’ll say something, but not much, about the cholera that wrought havoc here. Your nurse-maid Ina, Munda, her husband and another daughter died within an interval of only a few days, as well as various families on our street. For that reason, your sister as well as the entire family of Antonino endeavored to move in a hurry to our parents’ house. At our house, our house boys Flaviano and Evaristo were attacked by cholera, but thanks to local specific (sambong, pepita, garlic, etc.) they were saved. Alfonso. Narcisa’s servant, died. An average of 16 die daily. Today, thanks to God, it is decreasing in the town. The calamity is in fact in the barrios, but it is not causing deaths here than in the town, relatively speaking. Ah! I have forgotten to tell you that well-known persons and in a certain way dear ones, like Judge Saturnino, Aligui, daughter Gregoria, and Cuya Ticio, have died. Narcisa with Antonino and family stopped today at the convent because the curate is very ill. 

Millions of regards and tender kisses to you and you know you are greatly loved by your most humble brother-in-law. Your sister sends you tender regards. 

MANUEL DE HIDALGO

01-040 [Family]

1882.09.26 Calamba, Laguna 

From: Saturnina Rizal

To: José Rizal

Sra. Neneng wants to send Rizal a diamond ring— Rizal wants his family to write him in Tagalog.

* * *

 Calamba, Laguna

26 September 1882

DEAREST BROTHER, 

I have read that you want to hear the Tagalog language, or our language, in order that you may not forget your origin and we your siblings. Papa always says, whenever we talk about you, that perhaps you will stay there so long that you may not see each other before he leaves this world. I was going to write you long ago, but I thought that my letter might reach Barcelona ahead of you. Moreover, every time I pick up your letters. I cannot hold my tears, especially the first one you wrote on your departure in which you said that you passed by here Monday morning when you were going down to Manila and as I was sleeping you did not see me anymore. And then Mama says that you are carrying little money, so that I’m always thinking of how you are getting along. For this reason, I want to send you a diamond ring and write me to whom I should send it, so that it may reach you there. We are well, thank God; I have no ailment of any kind; what I don’t know is whether I shall get over the difficulties ahead.

With regard to the town fiesta, what I can tell you is that Sra. Julia with the whole family and others from Sta. Cruz stayed here a long time — two weeks. Aunt Betang did not come because she had guests she could not leave behind. I’ll write you longer later because the bearer is in a hurry. 

Your sister who loves you dearly.

SATURNINA RIZAL

01-041 [Family]

1882.09.26 Calamba, Laguna  

From: Manuel T. Hidalgo

To: José Rizal

Believes Rizal was right not to see the family before departing — Will keep Rizal informed of notable happenings at home. 

* * *

[Calamba, Laguna, 26 September 1882]

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW AND DISTINGUISHED FRIEND, 

To save you pain I will not describe to you what we, our parents, your brothers, and brothers-in-law felt on account of your sudden departure. I’ll only tell you that, in view of certain counsels, they became resigned. You had a magnificent idea in not bidding us farewell for thus you saved us from the immense anguish of leave-taking, which must be very painful. 

In belief that Uncle Antonio and Paciano have already given you an account of the happenings here in these towns and because you know that news are scarce here, I give you none. In the future I’ll keep you informed of every notable happening. Think of coming home after some time, which I hope will be soon. 

Millions of affectionate regards.

MANUEL T. HIDALGO

03-042 [Reformists]

1882.09.27 4 Salazar, Trozo, Manila

From: Basilio Teodoro Moran

To: Jose Rizal

Basilio T. Moran reiterates his request that Rizal write for Diariong Tagalog – He also invites Dr. Gregorio Sanciangco to send articles.

* * *

4 Salazar, Trozo, Manila

27 September 1882

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Friend,

By the past mail I sent you a registered letter to Barcelona, because I did not know that you have gone to Madrid. In case you have not received it, I’ll reproduce here its contents. In it I informed you that I sent you a set of the Diariong Tagalog and I asked you to subscribe to two periodicals of that city for us, among them La Correspondencia, as exchange or paid subscription. I also told you that your article El Amor Patrio was published in our periodical and it was the object of numerous congratulations, so much so that impartial persons of recognized ability said that it could pass for one of the articles of Castelar.

Likewise I told you not to fail to send us directly every fortnight six articles and one news review, because if they are sent through your Uncle Antonio I receive them late, so that the news you give us are already published in other periodicals thus losing their importance.

I tell you not to fail to send us articles for I intend to cut the budget for the editorial staff so that the periodical may live longer. Our fellow countrymen look upon it with indifference.

Tell Mr. Gregorio Sanciangco to consider this letter addressed to him also. I don’t write him not knowing his address:

Manila

Basilio Teodoro Moran

4 Salazar, Trozo

Regards to friend Don Gregorio and know that your attentive servant distinguishes you and kisses your hand,

Basilio Teodoro Moran

P.S.

Don Antonio and his family are well.

04-043 [Misc.]

1882.10.03   Barcelona

From: Tomas Cabangis

To: Jose Rizal

Inquires about special examinations – Forwards a letter to Rizal – Reasons he changed his boarding house.

*       *       *

Barcelona, 3 October 1882

FRIEND PEPE,

Enclosed is a letter from the Philippines that I received from the postman this morning. I wish that you are in good health and at the same time I hope that the news it brings you are satisfactory. The letters I received bring good news of my family, thank God.

I suppose that you have already received a letter of mine you addressed to Perio’s house (Barquillo No. …..) and if you have received it, I hope you will answer me notifying me when and how will be the special examinations that they will give us on the occasion of the Queen’s delivery and if those who do not take them will be considered suspended.

Farewell, my friend; regards to Perio and you command your friend who loves you,

TOMAS

Already wearied of the bed-bugs and fleas and Mrs. Silvestra’s negligence, I finally changed my boarding house, despite the fact that I intend to leave soon for that city. One morning we had a little quarrel which compelled me to make this sudden transfer, so that I am now living in a house on a wide street and very near the hospital, whose address is 21 Mendizabal, 4th 2. For the present I am all right and this young widow who is taking care of me treats me with much kindness. It seems to me that Lorenzo also must have changed house.

The Same.

01-044 [Family]

1882.10.05 Bulacan  

From: Silvestre Ubaldo

To: José Rizal

Ravages of the cholera in Bulacan — Its origin — Death of his sister María.

* * *

Bulacan, 5 October 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,

I received your letter dated 17 August on the first of this month and I am informed of its content.

I should be grateful if I’m recommended to Mr. Costa, but I’m sure that with God’s mercy I shall be returned to Calamba, because my uncle is working for me. My transfer seems to be certain. I’ll write you about the result.

Since 4th Julv Olimpia has been here in Bulacan.

We are grateful to God that you are well there and you do not get sick. This is our desire and what we ask the Lord.

I inform you that my sister María died at Manila last September. Her sickness was cholera. She was already well, but on the eleventh day she had a relapse and she died. This is the prevailing sickness in Manila that is causing much hardship since 20 August. It began in San Nicolás, spread to Tondo, and in those towns from 30 to 40 died daily, four or five dying in one house alone. Those who brought this disease were two crewmen of the steamer Eolus from Zamboanga where there was an epidemic. When the crewmen went ashore at San Nicolás they spit in a small house. The next day all the occupants of that house, as well as the crewmen, died. In accordance with the decision of sanitary boards that house was ordered burned. From that time, the epidemic spread to whole Manila, but there not as many people died as in San Nicolás and Tondo. Then it reached Bulacan. At this capital there are deaths daily, as many as 25. Even Muñiz, the prosecuting attorney here, caught it at three o’clock in the morning and by noon he was dead. Baliuag, Quingua, and Malolos are the hardest hit here. In each of these towns about 30 die daily. This epidemic spread almost all over the Philippines so that the General ordered many flannel blankets, as well as medicine, in Hongkong and sent them to the provinces for the sick. Almost every day the General goes around the public markets in Manila and orders spoiled fruits, meat, or fish to be thrown away. Every town has a hospital where the sick are gathered. The university, San Lázaro, the house of Dr. Marti in Meisic were turned into hospitals. Here in the provinces the chapels are the hospitals. Because of this sickness the drugstores’ supply of manzanilla flower was exhausted and there is a shortage of cognac in the groceries and its price became doubled and none can be obtained. All the colleges were ordered closed and all students including the seminarists were sent home; but the students of medicine in the third year were assigned to the hospitals with pay and if you were here, you would also be compelled to serve. All the dead, even Spaniards whoever they may be, are not taken any more to church but they are immediately taken to the mountain without fees. The officers of justice go around the town, ordering the cleaning and taking away the dead immediately. They have their own cart and stretcher, the cart for the dead, and the stretcher for the sick. However, if the family refuses to give up the body they let it alone, but they order the dead, even the rich, to be brought down and they are not put in coffins. Now it is subsiding; here in Bulacan, since the 4th, there have been no cases. 

We are well thank God; so are all of them at Calamba according to their letter to us. We here drink manzanilla and tea as our drinking water, and smudge and clean the house constantly. Enclosed is Olimpia’s letter with news.

Command your brother-in-law,

S. UBALDO

01-045 [Family]

1882.10.05 Bulacan  

From: Olimpia Rizal

To: José Rizal

Family news — More on the ravages of cholera — She tells Rizal to try to come home soon.

* * *

Bulacan, 5 October 1882

MR. JOSÉ RlZAL

MY DEAR BROTHER,

We received your letter and we are informed of its content.

I’m here because Silvestre is the officer-in-charge here.  Since I came here on the 4th of July until now I have not been home.

Nanay (Mama) and María, accompanied by Pomuceno, visited me and attended the town fiesta on 15 August, the Assumption, who is the patron saint of this town. They stayed here at the station for four days.

I wish to tell you that Sra. Neneng delivered on the 15 September after a labor of 24 hours. The baby was baptized on the 24th, the sponsors being Mr. Narciso Paterno and Mrs. Emilia Venegas of Sta. Cruz, represented by Sr. Paciano and Sra. Sisa. Lucía also gave birth in the month of July; I don’t know if they have written you about it. José is the name and the godfather is Sr. Paciano. The name of Sra. Neneng’s son is Alfredo Porfirio.  

With regard to the epidemic that is spreading here in the province of Bulacan and Laguna, sixteen persons more or less die daily. Iná, her daughter, her husband, and another daughter are all dead; so also are the servant of Sra. Sisa, Punzo, and our relative Sra. Victoria of Meisic. On account of God’s mercy we siblings and our parents have not caught this disease and this is what I always ask the Virgin day and night that, if possible, not to take any one of us until we meet again. Therefore, try hard to come home soon and you know that our parents are already old.  

This is all. Regards to you and if you ask about us we are well and do not get sick like before, thank the Lord. I inform you that Millong, Icang, and Chabeng also are all robust, and Trining is now a young lady. 

           Your sister,

 Olimpia Rizal

01-046 [Family]

1882.10.05 Madrid

From: José Rizal

To: Parents and Siblings 

Enrolled in medicine and law — In good health but poor in money — Attends meeting of Circulo hispano-filipino — Would like to know five or six languages — Enjoins his younger sisters to study.

* * *

Madrid, 10 October [1882]

MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS,

Although I haven’t received letters from you to answer nor do I have many news to tell you, nevertheless I write you to give you news about myself and to have the pleasure of communicating with you even through writing, since I can’t do it now in a better and more direct way.

On Monday, the second, our classes began in all seriousness. More than one hundred attend each class. Among my professors of medicine is the Marquis of Busto in the obstetrical clinic, a highly cultured person, but unfortunately is suffering from gout, an ailment peculiar to the aristocratic class. He goes to class from time to time and when he does, he is accompanied by liveried attendants.

I’m in very good health though very poor in money. Through my letter before this (28 September) you must have been informed of the expenses I incurred and of the money they sent me for three months. I paid for the three months indicated and I still owe the Jésuit fathers 25 pesos. Excepting this particular circumstance, I’m well and I’m growing stout. I believe that the cold agrees with me and especially the house in which I live where, though I’m not very well fed as there at home, I have enough to eat and above all utmost cleanliness in food, my room, and all my belongings. This is the principal thing to keep away bed bugs and fleas which abound here in other boarding houses. The cold weather lasts a few days and afterwards passes away. About two or three days ago I had to walk almost running with my hands in my pockets, but now I’m well, enjoying a very pleasant weather. I was at the Círculo hispano-filipino last Saturday. There several matters all pertaining to our country were taken up.

We continue meeting every Sunday at the house of Mr. Ortiga (Pablo) vice president of the Council of the Philippines. I believe I told you about him in my previous letter.

Sangcianco, author of Progreso de Filipinas (Philippine Progress) is going there and plans to return soon. If you wish to send me something through him, you can do so; such as jewelry, sweets, jellies, bagoong, pickled mangoes, tamarind; all these, it is understood, must be well packed in a single box so that they will not be too bothersome; and give him freight money, for it would be odd to make him spend his own money besides making him carry things of no concern to him.

Tell me when you write what things you are sending or will send me. It is not necessary however that you send me all the things I mention above. I believe that the tamarind and guava or mango jelly would be the best, although it is not the mango season. Pickled mangoes do not keep and they get spoiled quickly. In short you know better than I what you want or can send me. If it is possible, a good finger ring, inasmuch as there are many there, that will be of great usefulness to me under all circumstances.

I’m very sorry not to be able to devote myself at present to my favorite studies, such as language, painting, sculpture, and literature, for medicine and law take up all my time. In the following years I shall be able to study two or three languages more for I should like to know five or six languages before going home.

Vicente González was here this morning and was reminding me of our pastimes there including the card-game that we played when we took a bath at the Real, the songs of Sulá the harp, etc. etc. He was asking me when we would return to those places. Vicente has grown a beard but he is ever the same. He told me to give you all his regards just as he does to his family for me.

I hope to receive letters and help from you by the next mail which is still too far away that I have to wait for fifteen days more. Don’t send me money or anything through anybody except Sangciano, Paterno, Anacleto, Locsin, or others like them, to avoid what happened to a Bisayan whose family sent him through an employee ₱300 and the ₱300 pesos haven’t shown up until the present, nor do I believe they will ever show up. Be very careful in this matter, for here not to pay one’s debts is held to be better than to pay them. Just imagine that.

I have not yet met either Nena or Aring. I would be pleased to see them and meet them to recall things. It is always pleasant to see one who has been in his hometown. 

In the previous mail I wrote to Maneng, Sra. Neneng, my brother, and to you. Tell me about Silvestre, whether he has already returned or not to the town. It is better if you send me the drafts through the French mail boat, inasmuch as the Spanish boats are delayed a long time and here everything must be paid in advance. It would also be better to arrange with a firm like that of Tuason, for example, so that every first of the month, its correspondent at Madrid may give me a certain amount. In that way I don’t have to depend upon the arrival or departure of the ships. Only when you want to give me a gift, as for example for Christmas, you may send me a bank draft.

May God grant that you didn’t suffer anything during the months that that terrible guest, cholera, was there.

I beg my very beloved parents to always bless their son who never forgets the sacrifices that they do for him nor the benefits that he owes them. I trust within a short time to have the pleasure of embracing them and never separate from them again, live with them, help them in everything, and contribute towards the common welfare. I embrace also my sisters, entreating Pangoy and Trining to study and write, especially the last one, for here I see very pitiful examples. One afternoon I saw a girl of about 15 or 16 years, pale, sick, sad, ragged, lying down in the hollow of a wall on a dark street, begging for alms. She was so weak, so thin, so sick, that she couldn’t speak, and she only extended an emaciated hand. She must have been very beautiful judging by her big and languid eyes. It was cold and she was shivering. As I had no money with me I couldn’t give her anything.

Regards to all our relatives, friends, and acquaintances, kisses to the nephews and nieces. 

J. RIZAL

03-047 [Reformists]

1882.10 Barcelona

From: Tomas Cabangis

To: Jose Rizal

Cabangis, Filipino medical student from Tondo, Manila, inquires about the Circulo Hispano-Filipino of Madrid – Advises the use of the “Cabangis remedy” for the health concerns of a friend named Perio.

* * * 

Barcelona, October 1882

Mr. José Rizal y Mercado

My Dear Compatriot and good Friend,

I received your letter of the 8 instant in which you relate to me your painful trip, which I regret very much. I’m glad however that no personal mishap befell you.

I appreciate the news you give me of the fellows there as well as the cost of living there. If, as you say, one can live there well and decently with little money, it is easy for me to hasten my trip to that city, for the only thing that deters me is, as you know, my small allowance.

I’m afraid that the bed-bugs and fleas may prevent Perio from fulfilling his duty as a friend; or chilblains, which, I have no doubt will soon appear on his body as a result of the cold, for he is very susceptible to this Spanish plague. Poor lad! Recommend to him the Cabangis remedy, especially if the cold prevents him from writing, for it is an infallible remedy for the ailment, and as a sedative, it is well-known throughout the Spanish territory.

One night Lorenzo took me to the house of some of his friends (J.D.?) where there was dancing and concert and we spent the evening very enjoyably, without failing to remember you…

One day when I go to Julia’s house, I am going to convey your regards, but with a certain jingly especially to Rosalia, so that when she goes to Madrid, she will look for you and not you for her. Hey! Beware of the Madrid girls.

One day, when you are not busy, I should like some details about the Circulo Hispano-Filipino and also news about our countrymen. Let me see if they have the custom of meeting on holidays as here.

Farewell, my friend, until the next, and command in everything he can be useful to you your friend who loves you truly,

Tomas Cabangis

P.S.

My regards to Perio and I tell you that until now I have not received letters from the Philippines.

03-048 [Reformists]

1882.11.04 Barcelona

From: Tomas Cabangis

To: Jose Rizal

Offers to send Rizal Baltazar’s Florante at Laura — Gregorio Sanciangco calls on him – Once again advises the use of the “Cabangis remedy” for the health concerns of a friend named Perio — Inquires about the professor of obstetrics at the Colegio da San Carlos at Madrid where Rizal is enrolled.

* * *

Barcelona, 4 November 1882

Mr. Jose Rizal

My dear Friend and good Compatriot,

I received your letter dated 30 October and from it I have learned that you are well and contented, which makes me very glad. I too am well as always, thank God.

The Postman of….Street has asked me for your address in order to forward to you a registered letter from the Philippines. I gave him your Sauco Street address, inasmuch as until then I had not received any letter from you. This very morning I gave him the Amor de Dios Street so that he can forward those he will receive henceforth.

I conveyed to Julia and her companions what you asked me to tell them. They are grateful to you and at the same time resentful, for they say that it does not take many days to know Madrid for a talented man like you; just like them.

About R….I can tell you many things, but let us wait for the opportunity to be able to talk personally for a detailed explanation. It seems to me that it will be very soon, because I have already my mother’s permission. I’m only waiting for the special examinations that they will give us on the occasion of the Queen’s delivery. The rumor is that it will be for next December, so that I cannot go to that city until after Christmas.

It seems to me that Lorenzo does not want to go there any more on account of his family, so that if you need the Florante soon, I have no inconvenience in sending it to you by mail, otherwise I shall take it to you myself.

I received good news from the family, thank God. I hope that the typhoon of 20 October did not cause them losses as the cholera did. You will receive my congratulations if you too have received the same news.

Sanciangco called on me many times before leaving. The other countrymen behaved very badly towards him because they did not even call on him knowing that he was here. They did not do that to Genato when he came….

Farewell, my friend, until my next letter. In the meantime receive the tender embraces of your friend who loves you,

Tomas

P.S.

Regards to Perio and other countrymen who know me. Tell Perio to apply the Cabangis remedy if he feels cold there.

The Same

Do me a favor of finding out if the professor of obstetrics there is good or bad, for I intend to transfer my matriculation in case the special examinations are not held.

01-049 [Family]

1882.11.12    Calamba, Laguna  

From: Paciano Rizal 

To: José Rizal 

Rizal’s allowance is insufficient —  Paciano promises to increase it after the sale of their sugar crop.

* * *

Calamba, Laguna

12 November 1882

DEAR BROTHER,

I received your letter in which you tell me that the allowance you get is not enough for you. From the beginning I realized that with that sum you would be in rather straitened circumstances. I made it so only because our sugar had not been sold yet. Now that there are buyers you will receive what you wish.

 Until May or June don’t expect from me long letters as I would like to write. I don’t stay at home except on Sundays to attend to the people. I spend the other days in the mountain. You must not fail to write though, whenever you have an opportunity to do so.

I have not yet gone down to Manila to get the bank draft that you told me about; it will not be long now before I go there.  

Here all of us are in good health; cholera cases are very rare.

Olimpia is still in Bulacan.

Your brother, 

PACIANO

01-050 [Family]

1882.11.13 Calamba, Laguna  

From: Josefa and María Rizal 

To: José Rizal 

Rizal’s parents are losing their sight — Slippers, beaded sandals, and other items for Rizal through Paterno — Flooding caused by the typhoon — Family news.

* * *

Calamba, 13 November 1882

DEAR BROTHER,

We are writing you only now because we have no news to tell you and whatever we want to say is already in Sr. Paciano’s letter. Concerning the typhoon that passed through here, it did not cause any damage, except that the water rose and all the people on the shore came to town, the matter in front of Pio’s house being so deep it reached until the neck.

The casco was able to enter our river and many young women went canoeing and fishing. We have also read your orders in your letter. You will receive them from Paterno, rest assured. We hope that you will become fair and stout and will look like a Spaniard. We are already eating at the table you ordered made.

JOSEFA RIZAL

I wish to tell you that the eyes of Nanay and Tatay are already very dim and they certainly cannot write to you or read your letters. What Tatay is always doing is to wrap up your letters and take them to Sra. Neneng and have them read there. lná, Munda, and Juan succumbed to cholera. You will receive from Paterno the slippers, beaded sandals, and other things ordered by you. Lucío moved to Biñang with his store. Tatay is asking you if you have not seen there a comet like the one we used to see during the cholera epidemic at four o’clock in the morning. Andeng is back with us. Illo, Turninong, Bastian, and Lucas were jailed for burying a dead child they picked up in the river. Millong is sending regards to his Uncle José. Delfina, Icang, and Toñong are always asking when you will come home.  

Command your sister who loves you, 

MARÍA MERCADO

Loleng, Sulo, Victoria and Marcosa are sending you many, many regards.

01-051 [Family]

1882.11.13 Calamba, Laguna  

From: Mariano Herbosa 

To: José Rizal 

Rizal’s new nephew — Typhoons and the Calamba River — Death of Diariong Tagalog

* * *

Calamba, 13 November 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

 ESTEEMED BROTHER-IN-LAW,

This is my second letter to you. The first news that I’ll tell you is that you have a handsome nephew and if possible, find him a place there, so that even if he does not overtake you there, at least he may follow in your footsteps. That is why we call him José also. Now he is stout, strong, and not sick for he is going to travel to a faraway place.

We had two not very strong typhoons on 20 October and 5 November, but the water rose. Our houses were not damaged. Sra. Neneng’s house lost a portion of its roof, so also did Antonino’s house. Our river became very lively, its water rising so high as never before in the memory of old folks, and people rode in bancas from the talisay tree to the sea. The houses on the seashore were destroyed by the water. Water entered the sugar warehouses and a lot of sugar belonging to the people of Tanawan was lost.

Very many people bathed and fished in the river. One day Turnino, son of Cabesang Bastian, Lucas, son of Cabesang Mosés Ustar… and your friend Basilio Salgado found floating in the river the body of a newly born babv boy whose umbilical cord was still uncut. What they did was to bury the body near the river without notifying the authorities. When the government learned about it, they were jailed and sent to the provincial capital. The body was exhumed and they are looking for the mother of the baby.  

The cholera is now gone, though to some, there are still some isolated cases. Perhaps, according to some, the typhoons drove it away. In our town more than five hundred died, including those who were not natives of this place. I don’t know exactly the number of those who died.  

This and the typhoons are given as the cause for the death of Diariong Tagalog which I deeply regret. In its farewell, it said it had to fold up for lack of personnel.

I’m not going to write you about what I have heard concerning the typhoon and cholera in Manila, because you must have already been told about them, and moreover I have not been in Manila since I went there soon after your departure. It seemed that I was the only one who had the luck to see you before you left and it was because Lucía was going to have a fine baby boy. If I could only talk to God, I would ask Him not to take him away from us yet, because the work is not yet finished.

  Since the cholera disappeared, Paciano and I have been staying in the mountain and we sleep there, coming down on Saturdays only and on Monday we go up again because Paciano is having a sugar mill installed. This is another reason why I could not write you. When I inquired about the mail it had already left. Great indeed is my desire to write you by every mail. In fact your letters hardly stay here, for even the curate wants to read them. While I’m writing this, Uncel Aben’s letter from Biñan came and he says that the water there rose too and the church was flooded and in front of their gate the water was knee-deep. 

This is all for the present. I repeat that here you have a brother-in-law who loves you and may God grant that we meet again,

At your command, 

MARIANO HERBOSA

01-052 [Family]

1882.11.13 Calamba 

From: Lucía Rizal 

To: José Rizal 

Regrets not having talked with her brother before his Departure — Wants her son to be like Rizal.

* * *

Calamba, 13 November 1882

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

DEAR JOSÉ,  

On the day you left this town, I heard you said that you would be late. When I got up, I saw only the back of the vehicle. So when uncle Antonio’s letter came, saying that you embarked on the steamship Salvadora, I deeply regretted that we were not able to talk together, especially since you would be away for a long time. At that time also, I was in the hands of our Lord; I was big with baby José. Thank God, I went through that danger safely. I amuse myself with Jose’s ear, which is like yours. I tell you that it is really like yours, but I pray that the likeness does not stop there, but that he may have your disposition, your goodness, and diligence in good works. Help me pray to God that we meet again and that we may not get sick. Your sister who loves you,  

LUCÍA MERCADO 

 Don’t show to any one this letter, because I was very sleepy when I wrote it.

03-053 [Reformists]

1882.11.25 Barcelona

From: Tomas Cabangis

To: Jose Rizal

He has received a copy of the review published by the Circulo Hispano-Filipino of Madrid – Wishes to join the association

* * *

Barcelona, 25 November 1882

Mr. Jose Rizal

Dear Friend and good Countryman,

Without any letter of yours to answer I write you this to ask you a new favor.

The members of the Circulo Hispano-Filipino have sent me a copy of their fortnightly review that they publish. I have read in that review that regular members are excused from the payment of the entrance fee and will pay only 2 pesatas monthly, according to article 4 read at the meeting held on 7 October of this year. Therefore, if that new rule is in force at present in that Circulo, please let me know immediately so that I can send you two pesetas in stamps for my membership fee, which you will kindly pay for me. I should like them to send the future issues of the review to my house, which is yours too, until further notice from me, for I am intending to go to that city, at the latest, in February.

When I go there, I hope you will congratulate me for fulfilling my promise with regard to what I told you about R….

Valentin is leaving for that city in December and he always asks me about you.

Don’t fail to answer this letter, though briefly, for I want to take advantage of this occasion to become a member of that Ciruclo.

Your countryman and friend who is ready to serve you in what he can.

Your faithful servant who kisses your hand,

Tomas

P.S.

Regards to Perio and other countrymen.

01-054 [Family]

1882.11.27 Madrid 

From: José Rizal 

To: Manuel T. Hidalgo 

Race between an Italian named Barghosi and an Aragonese called Bielsa — Poor behavior of the Madrid public.

* * *

Madrid, 27 November 1882

MR. MANUEL T. HIDALGO

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW:

I received your letter on the 19th instant. I rejoice at the happy news it brought, regretting that I cannot in any way share the common joy.

As to news about myself, I have few to give you, having already told them in my letter to our parents. Political news may be found in the Diariong Tagalog to which I sent a review.

However, I’ll tell you about an incident which has attracted much attention, because it is a characteristic and graphic portrayal of a people. There was here an Italian runner named Barghosi who is called a human locomotive. He went to Zaragoza and they say he was beaten by an Aragonese called Bielsa. Again they held a contest in Madrid and Barghosi won. The public, furious because their fellow-countryman has been defeated, turned against the Italian, throwing stones, bottles, shoes, bread etc., etc. at him. What would the Italian say?

Please present my condolence to the families who lost relatives or friends; that is to say to the families who understand and expect this formality.

Tender embraces for all and a little kiss for Alfredo and try to give him good care so that he would grow healthy

Your brother,

RIZAL

01-055 [Family]

1882.12.14 Calamba

From: Saturnina Rizal 

To: José Rizal 

Family news — Birth and baptism of a new nephew, Alfredo — Calamba inundated — Damage to crops — A new strange disease.

* * *

Calamba, 14 December 1882

BELOVED BROTHER,

We received your dearest letter dated 29 September. I’m grateful to you for your good wishes and I’m sure that your prayers helped me in having a safe delivery. My labor began at eight o’clock at night lasting until 11 in the morning. I delivered on the 15th and the baptism took place on the 25th, so that the name you like was not given to him, our letter having arrived late. The name of the boy is Alfredo Porfirio; the godfather is Narciso Paterno, the baby looks. . . [portion of letter destroyed by termites] and has a well-shaped body, he is stout, round-faced, sharp nose, small chin and eyes, flat head, bald on the left side. When we go to Manila, we shall have his picture and mine taken and will send them to you. I’m stouter now than before, but I have a slight ailment, like now I feel a pain in my right arm.

  Ipia was here in November, but she went back, for it seems that Ubaldo did not get the post here. Ipia had a miscarriage last May after coming from the fiesta in Biñang and again on the 20th in Bulacan. Sisa and her family moved to the ground floor where the drugstore is. Lucio is now in Biñang and Posoro is now occupying his house here. Since 20 October until now this town has been flooded. Many houses were damaged by the water. One can ride on a banca in the street until the front of Capitán Quico’s warehouse, though last month the water reached only until the first talisay tree. 

 You are asking who the godfather of José is; it is Paciano. The baby is now sick with fever and his feet and hands are cold; he is being treated with water by Coya Aben. I’m not sending you anything, except the solitaire design diamond ring and beaded step–ins. Excuse this somber design and color, because the Biñang makers cannot attend to the work. As to the epidemic, there are still a few who are attacked, like Compadre Isidoro, our neighbor Loleng, Geno, Ugoc, Faustino, Father of Titoy, Dimo, husband of Margarita, Acia. Timoteo and Juancho are now seriousy ill. Pedro, your godson, was also gravely ill, but he is better now.

It was said during the rice harvest that there would be famine, because many ricelands were flooded and the harvest was carried away by the water. Our ricelands, thank God, did not suffer, but there were others that were a total loss. Fortunately, rice from Saigon and other places arrived, so that the price did not go up too much. Plenty of sugar belonging to those in the mountain was lost on the seashore. Among them was Capitán Paulino who lost 3,000 more or less. Maneng lost about ₱100 worth of his sugar.

There is a new disease prevailing here now. It starts with the swelling of the feet and the legs until the knee, then difficulty in breathing ensues, and two hours later the patient is dead. Toneng, mother of Pangoy, died of this disease; Cornadre Geña Paño is gravely ill of this disease also. Your compadre Capitán Andrés was the one who bought Toneng’s house, so that they are now on our street. We now live on the ground floor; we moved on 5 October. My father-in-law is well now and sending you best regards.

Two children of Aunt Tomasa died. One of them was Ate Ave; I don’t know who the other one was. Uncle Bindoy died. Perhaps you will not like very much news, because they are sad, but I want you to know everything.

Now I’m going to tell you about the young women. Ursula and Victoria are studying the songs for the Mass on Christmas Eve. Their teacher is Antonino. Father Domingo calls them Boema and Trafol. Loleng is industrious now. She does not wear a kerchief around her neck except on Sundays. Loleng is different now. 

Antonio wants to be put in the box to be sent to you even if he is nailed in. He says he wants to go there to you. Fruits for preserves are very scarce here. That is why we can only send you jelly. Later we will send you some more, if you still want it. I have ordered handkerchiefs woven in Lipa and I still send them to you through the next one who will go there. You will let us know if the sweet meat is in good condition on its arrival and how best to send you things. I’ll give you other news in my next letter, because this is already too long. 

Freding is sending you regards. He is not yet three months old and he already wants to converse. You sister who loves you truly,

SATURNINA RIZAL

01-056 [Family]

1882.12.14 Calamba

From: Manuel T. Hidalgo  

To: José Rizal 

Inquiring about the codes civil, criminal, administrative, and commercial.

  * * *

[Calamba, 14 December 1882]

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW:

Your sister has taken charge of giving you all the news that I can tell you. Consequently I’m excused.

Please write me when the reforms of the civil, criminal, administrative, and commercial codes and their corresponding laws or procedures will be finished.

You know already that I am very fond of you and for that reason you may command me and those attached to me without any limit. Millions of regards. How I wish to see you and to be able to embrace you!

Your brother-in-law

MANUEL T. HIDALGO

04-057 [Misc.]

1882.12.15  Manila

From: Jose M. Cecilio

To: Jose Rizal

Cecilio is once again sick, but is recovering – Leonor is suffering from insomnia – Another epidemic: Beriberi – News of girl friends – Deaths of Juan Elizegui y Bautista and others – Ravages of the typhoons – Anacleto of del Rosario is going to study in Spain. (Original letter is damaged)

*       *       *

Manila, 15 December 1882

MR. JOSE RIZAL Y MERCADO

MY DEAR NAMESAKE AND ESTEEMED FRIEND,

In reply to your letter of the 30 October last, I am going to tell you I am pleased with your good news which made me wish vehemently to see you in your black overcoat, black gloves, silk hat, etc.

I thought that I was already exempted from contributing to the number of victims of this fatal epoch of calamities that have desolated and continue desolating still this beautiful, as well as pleasant, capital city of Manila. But how I was undeceived when on the 12 of last month fever seized my funny fat body. It was checked at the beginning, thanks to the great medical knowledge of our esteemed friend Zamora. Until now I’m convalescing, but any day now I shall again be going back and forth to the office.

Your brother Paciano has been here since yesterday and tomorrow he goes back. He has come to do some shopping and spend money and bring a box of bijon and silk handkerchiefs for you.

The bearer of all these things as well as of the large and delicate orders that you ask me in your letter which I am answering will be Sanciangco who is here, but will return to that country.

May God grant that you win in the lottery so that we can meet there. I advance to you my thanks.

The person who suffers on your account – of this you should not have the least doubt, inasmuch as the sky is cloudless and the stars can be seen clearly – left her retreat for being sick. She is suffering from insomnia and angina, and she is thin. The persons who appreciate her no longer know what to do for her, but our physician friend, who was consulted about her ailments said that insomnia was natural at her age. But anyone who had seen him when he said this would suspect that there was some ambiguity in his words. This unfortunate person must be praying that the no in that phrase Hasta el arnor no se olvida be never erased or remain in it forever. I let this person read this morning the paragraphs in your letter concerning her. She sends you her most affectionate regards.

I am afraid that this letter will not give you pleasure, as the perusal of my letter of August 28 did; but no, here goes one good news that will make you jump with all your heart and might. On account of the physical defect or physical incapacity of our friend… it seems that his marriage contract with M… has been cancelled. The poor lad walks with crutches in the house, but they are useless to him; they only impede his walking. Con que V. cuidado, as we usually say here. This is to enter or get out of the fight.

I do not know how Manila has imported from the Ganges an epidemic which is causing many deaths here. It begins with inflammation of the feet which rises up the body and if the attending physician does not guess right, the patient takes an eternal voyage. 

This disease is unknown to physicians, for it is new in this city. The physicians who have discovered its name are Mr. Felipe Zamora and a German called Coeniger. The Indians call this sickness beriberi. It entered this house, the victims being the poet Feliciano Cabrera and Pelayo. The first almost died one night had not Zamora who treats him arrived at midnight, for he suffered a pressure in the chest that would have finished him forever. Hardly had four days passed, last night, he had an attack again and until 2:00 o’clock this morning, it has not subsided. On account of this, the landlady, who sends you her kindest regards, has asked me to tell you not to expect any letter from her because she is exceedingly busy these days.

Until now I have not reached Sta. Cruz, our former district, and consequently I have not visited yet our dear girl friends, but I know they are well because one night I met Capitan Jose, father-in-law of I do not know who… and I asked him if there had not been any illness in his house and he said there was none and that his family was well and to thank you and to give you many regards. As he does not know your address, he cannot write you. I gave him the name of the street where you live, but I could not give him the number, as I did not remember it.

The Vasquez girls are well but your patient Juana, their sister, is already in the other life. I do not know what inflammation she had that caused her death.

I will deal again with our elegant lass M… who asks me whenever I am at her house to give you her regards. I send you hers every time I write you. There is reciprocity. They have moved to another house, according to the landlord. They live in the district of San Nicolas on the street of the same name. Do you remember our strolls in that district?

Your sisters Narcisa and Pangoy and your brother-in-law Antonino have been here to deliver to the landlord ₱50 for your Christmas present. They were here two days ago and according to Paciano they are still here at the house of Chuidian.

Of all these news what will give you the greatest pleasure is that your dear parents and brothers are well.

Olimpia was here a week ago but she stayed a very short time for she was in a hurry. She came to Manila on her way to Bulacan to visit her husband.

But here is one that will undoubtedly make you sad and it is that our friend Mr. Juan Elizegui y Bautista is already in the other life. The disease that killed him was tuberculosis and a lesion in the heart on account of being very studious.

For the third time I return to M.. to tell you that she has a rounded body due to exercising with weights. I am vexed not to have known who had given her weights that are needed for a gradual exercise. Is it worthwhile for you to jump with all your heart and might?

Mr. E. S…. whom we suspected, and because it was the rumor, of being the true suitor of O…, now, according to news, will be married to Miss D. P. after whom was P… formerly. Do you remember that mournful letter I wrote in your room in this house?

P. y Margall’s letter that you will send me for the family of Dr. Jugo must be of great interest to them, according to Zamora, who informed me of their condition. They are well but they lost much in the typhoon of 20 October for their piano was ruined. That letter must bring some lottery tickets from there, according to Zamora.

Your Compadres are well, but they also suffered losses in the last typhoons. Teong lives in the cigar store because he cannot find a house, as many are looking for houses but they cannot find even half a house.

Ramon Gonzaga is the one who has contributed the most to these calamities not only with the loss of his house but also the loss of his dearest possession, his wife. Their son for whom you prescribed some medicine one night at the cigar store for having unequal “barometer” is completely cured. He just took the syrup with iron that you prescribed but the application of the pomade could not be done because the boy would in no way permit it. I understood from you that the syrup would serve to increase or purify the blood in order that the “environs” will be levelled. And how was he cured then?

Please tell me in writing, inasmuch as it is not possible for me to hear by word of mouth the most brilliant exit, according to Leoncio, that one day, when we were in Calamba, you taught the funny Orros (now absent, he is in Cagayan). It was about one who loves a young woman and is loved by her and declares to another who knows about his love affair with the other and without lying he is accepted by the second to whom he makes a declaration of love. Here we are screwing our wits and we cannot hit the mark. By lying we know how to maintain this polemic.

Friend Anacleto del Rosario is going there next year to get the doctor’s degree, but he will not stay more than six months for he has no one who can take care of his poor and aged mother. But I believe that he will be the bearer of the things and even the diamond ring that were brought by your sisters Cisang and Pangoy and Sanciangco. 

One thing surprises me: You have ordered bijon and other things, but you forgot a precious thing and that is the gogo that our women use. An ill turn can be done her if you will prepare the gogo before she takes a bath so that she can use it. Perhaps you would say that this is a difficult idea. Is it not true?

The day when you produce a play whose principal character bears the name of Elvira, I will exclaim saying: At last I seduced him. But you just make beriberi as that is the prevailing sickness in this your country.

M.., the quintessence of womanliness, as you say, is well, but the one visiting her frequently is my cousin Miciano. She, as well as the Vasquez girls, requests me to send you her regards whenever I write you.

But are you not going to write the Sta Cruz girls? They have the same request of me and so receive the regards of those simple folks.

All the fiestas here this year have been cold because of the calamities that devastated Manila.

Ever your very affectionate friend who sends you a tight embrace.

CECILIO.

01-058 [Family]

1882.12.29 Calamba

From: Paciano Rizal 

To: José Rizal 

Parents no longer able to write letters — “Drv cholera” — Concerns about the harvest — Poor milling — Feast of St. Francis — Rizal’s horse — A prophetic dream? Something of politics.

* * *

Calamba, 29 December 1882

DEAR BROTHER.

Yesterday we received a letter of yours dated 31 August. In it you complain that you have not received any letter from our parents. They do not write you, not because they do not want to, but because at their age they no longer can, and I who am here, believe that their silence is worth much more than the best written letter. Instead of our parents, I suppose that our sisters, being less busy, will write you regularly. As for me, I have more than enough work and I lack topics, as it is happening to me now. I don’t know what to write that might have some interest, but as you like even the most insignificant things concerning our town, I’m going to tell you something about it in the best way I can. 

 Cholera cases have greatly decreased, but it appears in another guise. Here it is called dry cholera. It is not manifested by evacuations and vomits; its symptoms are extreme fatigue and cramps and the patient succumbs after a few hours. They say that it is very difficult to combat this disease, and it is true, for all the cases were fatal. Fortunately there were very few cases. We have relatives in Biñan and San Pedro Makati who succumbed to it. Very few families are not in mourning these days, whether for near or distant relatives. Inside the church the dominant color is black just as it was white before. When I hear Mass on Sundays, I feel I’m attending the commemoration of the dead in November, there being no other difference except the absence of the catalfaque and the candles, the hush and the lugubrious aspect being the same. 

 The immediate effect of this scourge is the shortage of workmen for the rice harvest. Very few go to the fields. The majority stay at home either for fear of the disease or for having to take care of the sick. In the meantime, days pass and the palay is spoiled. Of what use is a good crop if part of it will remain on the ground? May the sugar cane not meet the same fate as the palay, because then we would exclaim: “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good.”

The heavy rains that fell this year have greatly damaged the sugar cane plantations so that our crop is below average. Every week, the rivers that flow into the lake overflow, augmented by water from other sources, and they have no other outlet except the Pasig. The Pasig River rises rapidly overflowing its banks and their inhabitants are compelled to move out. At no other time has the beach been so large as now, reaching until the talisay tree on the road to the sand-bar.

The third orders of St. Francis of both sexes celebrated the feast of St. Francis on the 4th of this month with a procession in the patio after which the woman-warden gave breakfast and lunch at her house attended by many members, some chiefs, and Fr. Domingo. The women did not want to eat in the dining room, preferring to eat in the kitchen. As there were no preparations there, everyone took his plate and managed as best he could. In fact everything was in confusion there.  After the breakfast, the most God-fearing gathered around one who was reading the life and miracles of their father St Francis. The less God-fearing formed another group, among whom rather profane jokes were in order. After the reading was over and conversation lagged, I took the oracle of Napoleon, the fortune-book and pictures of the gods of Greece and Rome. The most credulous and serious women consulted about their future while the incredulous, many of them the old women who have nothing to ask, contented themselves with chewing buyo. The young women enjoyed looking at the pictures. The luncheon was more orderly, because they prepared a table outside for those who did not want to eat inside the house. After this, the pious sisters of the Third Order left and thus ended the fiesta. We helped a little in this fiesta to satisfy our mother. 

This unfinished letter, written in September and forgotten among my clothes, now that I find it, I send it to you with later news.

Since the cholera has subsided, I went out to the mountain to attend the preparations for the milling which are almost finished on this date. In going back and forth, I don’t ride your horse because I fear that it may become thin, having to spend there whole weeks and without a stable. On the other hand, the animal has become very brave and ferocious, so that I leave it at home. With regard to the horse: Dandoy dared to try him one Sunday afternoon at the time when the best race horse of Lipa was here. When the two horses were already at top speed, your horse made a frolicsome bound with the hind legs as it used to do, so that Dandoy, in spite of being a good jockey, jumped from the saddle and fell clear into the middle of the plaza. This reminds me that his horse, the chestnut one, threw me down. We are even now.

This Christmas was just like that of previous years, the only difference being that the sopranos this year were Victoria, Ursula, and Pangoy who were very good in the practice but very poor in the inauguration. Ursula is Calamba’s Raguer.

This year there was more water and less animation due to the fact that sugar is still unsold and there is good reason for it.

Yes, Gregorio is leaving before anyone else. You will probably receive the box from him that contains I know not what things, the ring, the step-ins of Sra. Neneng,, Olimpia’s handkerchiefs, and ₱50 of Antonino for your allowance, which he delivered to Uncle Antonio in person.

They brought me the first numbers of C.S. I would not be surprised if you receive it where you are, for here people arc scandalized by the most insignificant thing and they see a pile where there are only shadows. For this reason, it is not advisable for me to have it here. However, if you insist that I be subscriber, so be it, but the copies must remain there. Who is that Pagong?

 As it is very possible that you may forget Tagalog, your native tongue, I’ll conclude this letter in that language.

Do you remember what you told me one dawn, after the night Mass that you dreamed that our family will go through a great trouble, but you could not tell whether it would enrich or impoverish us, being only a dream? I still remember this and now it is becoming fresh again in my memory, because of what I dreamed, not once but twice, similar to yours, the only difference being that mine is rather clear as to the improvement. 

Nevertheless, as I’m not much of a believer in dreams that occur in the darkness of sleep, I cannot believe in it, though all of this can happen. May God keep all of us, especially S. and P.

These two roads we are going through should not be the guide of one who wishes to return to his place of origin, because he cannot expect any improvement. Any road leads to Rome, but if he does not think of going back, he can choose the best. In my opinion the best is the welfare of the majority.

 PACIANO

Tell me if you there are all razors in comparison to many of us who are dull tools, because if that is so, there is no remedy for us.

01-059 [Family]

1882.12.29 Madrid

From: José Rizal 

To: Paciano Rizal 

Living expenses at Madrid higher than at Barcelona — Importance of knowing European languages — Invites young men with means to study abroad.

* * *

Madrid, 30 December 1882

MR. PACIANO RIZAL

 MY DEAR BROTHER,

I received your letter of 12 November and I’m informed of its content.

From Uncle Antonio I received 50 pesos which I believe didn’t come from home and nevertheless they came at the right time for I was waiting for my December allowance. Hitherto, I thought that the last 100 pesos I received were for my winter clothing and matriculation fee.

I’m very glad that you have understood that the amount you used to send me, while more than enough for Barcelona, is not so here where expenses are double. Living economically forty pesos are enough, if clothing expenses were excluded. With this amount one can go to the theater once a week but not more often. Perhaps he may have a surplus of one or two pesos a month if he has not had extraordinary expenses. One of the things that further deplete my money is laundry, chocolate, and coffee, because living as I do in one house, where I’m admirably comfortable, and lunching at another, I have to take breakfast elsewhere, for they don’t give it where I lunch.  With 50 pesos one is well off and still can save for bad times. 

I consider it a great blessing of Providence that we have not been ruined by so many calamities, such as have occurred over there.

 I hope you’ll make a profit and harvest the sugar with your usual tact and good luck, because, in that way, can be fulfilled one of my wishes, which is to see you here for a year or two, and Marianito, Maneng, and the others successively.

I intend to go to Paris or Rome in June. I don’t know yet whether I should improve further my French, which I already know fairly well, or see Rome and her monuments and learn Italian. It would be very desirable that before you come I should know how to speak French, English, and German so that we would not be fooled in our travels. For not knowing any of these languages one spends much and travels poorly.

I don’t know if you have received a letter from Sir Alebett Croates, dealer in steam engines, concerning an arrangement that would turn out cheaper for you. 

Be informed of the contents of my other letters.

Tell your friends — those who have means — that I invite their sons to come to these countries. I should like the coming generation — the generation that will govern and lead Calamba at the beginning of the 20th century — to be enlightened, brilliant, intelligent, and progressive.

Your brother,

J. RIZAL

01-060 [Family]

1882.12.30 Madrid

From: José Rizal 

To: María Rizal 

Enjoins his sister María to save his letters to his parents and brothers — And look up their former servants and help them — Hopes to treat the eyes of his mother upon his return — Rizal saw the comet seen by his father — Clarifies his location for his nephew.

* * *

Madrid, 30 December 1882

MISS MARÍA RIZAL

MY DEAR SISTER,

I received your short but meaty letter, full of pleasant and funny news. I don’t expect Father and Mother to write me anymore, especially Mother whose eye-sight is poor. I’m thinking of treating her eyes when I get home. I’m only sorry that I’ve not kept a letter of Father that I can read now and then. I should like you to keep all my letters in Spanish beginning, Mis queridos padres y hermanos, because in them I relate all that have happened to me. When I get home, I shall collect them and clarify them.

Find out the situation of … (illegible) and the requests of the pitiful ones who took care of us. With your kind heart I’m hoping they will not be abandoned.

  Tell Father I saw the comet with the long tail one night where Sanciangco, Paterno, and I were returning from the house of Don Pablo. The tail was long and it was visible from one to six o’clock in the morning.

It is good that Andeng is staying with us; after all she is an old acquaintance. It seems to me that Tibusi was there when I left. Sidra…

I thought you were already very tired of angling and bating in the river, fishing day and night. If I were there, then we would still go fishing. Has our river become deeper than it was formerly? When I get home, I’ll indulge in bathing to satiety. You wouldn’t believe it that since the middle of August I haven’t taken a bath and I haven’t perspired either. That is so here. It is very cold and a bath is expensive. One pays thirty-five cent for one.

Give my many, many regards to Milo, if he is no longer cross-eyed. Also to Icang, Delfina, and Tofio. I’m neither in Culambo nor Paña nor Barcelona; I’m at Madrid. My companion in the house is Vicente Gonzalez; we are only two. Every day he loses a tooth and he always has a toothache. Our house is like this: 

(sketch) 

We have four big mirrors. Give my regards to Sra. Ipia, and Baldo. Also to Loleng, Sulá, Marcosa, and Victoria. Tell them not to forget me. 

Your brother,

RIZAL

01-060 [Family]

1882.12.30 Madrid

From: José Rizal 

To: María Rizal 

Enjoins his sister María to save his letters to his parents and brothers — And look up their former servants and help them — Hopes to treat the eyes of his mother upon his return — Rizal saw the comet seen by his father — Clarifies his location for his nephew.

* * *

Madrid, 30 December 1882

MISS MARÍA RIZAL

MY DEAR SISTER,

I received your short but meaty letter, full of pleasant and funny news. I don’t expect Father and Mother to write me anymore, especially Mother whose eye-sight is poor. I’m thinking of treating her eyes when I get home. I’m only sorry that I’ve not kept a letter of Father that I can read now and then. I should like you to keep all my letters in Spanish beginning, Mis queridos padres y hermanos, because in them I relate all that have happened to me. When I get home, I shall collect them and clarify them.

Find out the situation of … (illegible) and the requests of the pitiful ones who took care of us. With your kind heart I’m hoping they will not be abandoned.

  Tell Father I saw the comet with the long tail one night where Sanciangco, Paterno, and I were returning from the house of Don Pablo. The tail was long and it was visible from one to six o’clock in the morning.

It is good that Andeng is staying with us; after all she is an old acquaintance. It seems to me that Tibusi was there when I left. Sidra…

I thought you were already very tired of angling and bating in the river, fishing day and night. If I were there, then we would still go fishing. Has our river become deeper than it was formerly? When I get home, I’ll indulge in bathing to satiety. You wouldn’t believe it that since the middle of August I haven’t taken a bath and I haven’t perspired either. That is so here. It is very cold and a bath is expensive. One pays thirty-five cent for one.

Give my many, many regards to Milo, if he is no longer cross-eyed. Also to Icang, Delfina, and Tofio. I’m neither in Culambo nor Paña nor Barcelona; I’m at Madrid. My companion in the house is Vicente Gonzalez; we are only two. Every day he loses a tooth and he always has a toothache. Our house is like this: 

(sketch) 

We have four big mirrors. Give my regards to Sra. Ipia, and Baldo. Also to Loleng, Sulá, Marcosa, and Victoria. Tell them not to forget me. 

Your brother,

RIZAL

01-061 [Family]

1882.12.30 Madrid

From: José Rizal 

To: Josefa Rizal 

Asks his sisters to write him often — Will wear Filipino costume at the carnival —Regrets not having brought with him his nito salacot.

* * *

[Madrid, 30 December 1882)

MISS JOSEFA RIZAL

DEAR PANGOY,

Yesterday I received your letter together with that of Sra. María. So that you may not say that I don’t answer you, I’m now going to write you, although it seems I shall lack time. I have already finished fourteen letters and yours is the shortest, because I have run out of things to say. I’m waiting to receive some guava jelly, which I guess is made by Father or Sra. Neneng, because someone here has asked me for it. Don’t put me to shame. At the forthcoming carnival I’ll wear my gauze shirt. If my salacot made of horn were here, I think it will attract attention. What a pity I didn’t order it!

Trining doesn’t write me. I don’t mind Choleng, because she is not at home; maybe they wouldn’t let her write or she is not ordered to write. At any rate, all of you or you alone write me often, so that you’ll get used to it. Put together all your letters in one envelope and weigh them; if they are less than 15 grams, then they will not require more than one stamp. I say this because it seems that you are afraid the letter would become heavy. I said the same thing to Sra. Sisa.

I suppose that you are very noisy when the little ones go there. You can’t understand one another across the ipil dining table. I should like to see you through a cosmorama. Don’t expect me to become white and look like a Spaniard.

Is Sra. Ipia there already? Do her eyes still become small when she laughs? Regards to Trining.

Your brother,’

J. RIZAL

01-062 [Family]

1882.12.30     Madrid

From: Jose Rizal

To: Leandro Lopez

Rital writes to a Kalamba friend about the girls of Kalamba – His impression of Spanish women.

*       *       *

Madrid, 30 December 1882

MR. LEANDRO LOPEZ

MY DEAR FRIEND:

I received on the 20th of this month your letter of 26 September and I thank you for the news you have sent me.

Although I am far from there and gone are my happy days in Calamba; although if I return, I shall find the flowers I left turned into fruit; although the few young ladies I have met have already wiped me off from their memory, because everything can be killed by distance and time, still I receive with sadness and joy whatever news awaken my dormant memory.

While I was still there, I could read in the eyes and behavior of some of my acquaintances what would happen. That Loleng should accept Cordoba is not new to me. I could glean it in the vagueness of our conversation in the month of December of ’81. I am sorry that a desire of mine has been spoiled and hipped in the bud. The town of Calamba is not lacking in fine young men and if compared with an ordinary town, it cannot be greatly surpassed. However, why do our young ladies marry outsiders? I do not want to delve in this matter because we shall all be hurt.

May Albino, Carias, Mamerto, Andoy, and Simeon who are courting Talia… have good luck. But let us not waste words. 

If Titay Biangue marries Carias, I hope God will save you from peril. What son will dare?

Let the suitors of Ipay who lost amuse themselves.

I have nothing to tell you about the women here because I have no acquaintances yet. In order that you may have an idea of them, I am going to tell you about some of their customs. There are many who are pretty, with pretty eyes, nose, mouth, complexion, shape of the face, etc., etc. However, they lack what in Spanish is called expresion (expression). They lack gentleness and coolness, the sweet look, and others. If you were here, you would be satisfied because you would like them, your ways being similar to theirs. Guerra patani! Here there are many fine young ladies born there. Sometimes they have six or seven suitors each, so much preferred are those born and raised there. Very, very different are the women there from the women here.

Please give my regards to Loleng, Julia (yours), Sula, Felipe, Victorio, Marcosa, Titay, and others. Also to Albino, Cirilo, Pio, Vito, and other friends.

At your command.

J. RIZAL