2 February 1886

Calamba

Calamba, 2 February 1886

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL.

Paris

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,

We received your letter and are informed of its content.

The reason why we have not written you a long time is that whenever I pick up a pen to write you to inform you of the death of our José, it seemed as if a painful wound is touched. So, by constantly postponing it, this time has come. The remedy I apply to the said wound is “Thanks that José has died. He will not suffer any more what we are suffering.”

The hardship and badness of the times when you were here have been doubled.

Delfina has two sisters, next to José. Her name is Concepción. She was followed by a girl also and her name is Patrocinio, who is the baby now. Perhaps when you return, you will not finish in one day embracing your nephews. At this time we are milling, so that Mother with Pangoy[1] has gone to Sr. Paciano’s mill in Pansol. Lucía also left for Hagdang Bató. Thank God, it seems that the sugar harvest here is good. However, it is said the price is high, but when the time to sell comes, it is low, unlike the dues and fees paid to the Hacienda [Calamba Estate] which increase every year.

We are all in good health and perhaps when you arrive here, you’ll find everything just like when you left. Lucía is like before, when you went abroad.

Command your very affectionate brother in-law,

MARIANO HERBOSA

01-140 [Family]