21 October 1886

Barcelona

Barcelona, 21 October 1886

Mr. Jose Rizal

Esteemd Mr. Pepe,

Nilintican aco![1]

I received your two letters long ago to which you allude in your last letter, but until the present, I have not had time to answer you for the reasons that you guessed and for the illness that kept me at home for a month and a half, having used in vain all the old and new remedies prescribed for the case. For about a week now I am somewhat better.

Day before yesterday I was at the house of Daniel Cortezo and there I was told that it was not possible to finish the printing of your work[2] in one year. I was at the Ramirez Printing Press this morning and there they asked me for the printing of your work, in accordance with the conditions stated in your last letter, the prices that you will find written on the enclosed piece of paper, which is the kind of paper or sample that you like.

I have been chosen at the drawing of lots and probably I will take the examination this coming week. For what might happen after my examination, it would not be superfluous for you to tell me when you write me, if the suits I use in Spain can be worn there in winter, or if, by wearing them, I would be looked upon in Germany as a Spaniard, that is, backward, or as some would like it, African (though I’m neither one nor the other), according to the boundaries that Dumas wants to assign to Spain.

I have matriculated for the doctorate.

I felicitate you on your great progress.

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet Luna (Antonio), recently arrived from Paris.

Maximo Viola

Your house:[3] 1 – 3rd, 2nd Vergara

03-174 [Reformists]