Paris
Two statuettes by Rizal: A beggar and a girl with basket — A cigarette case of nitò, gift to Blumentritt — Moret shows a good disposition towards the Filipinos — Rizal’s annotation of Morga’s work to be printed, his translation of Blumentritt’s Memoir almost finished.
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45 Rue de Maubeuge, Paris
22 September 1889
Dear Friend,
Through this mail I wanted to send you a bulky package but I was told that they cannot accept it for being too large. For this reason I am sending it through a railroad company so that you may receive it. It contains two small statues — a beggar and a girl. They suffered slightly during the trip — the beggar’s hat and the girl’s fingers holding the basket. The broken pieces are all wrapped in paper; you can repair them. In addition, one of your admirers is sending you a cigarette case made of nitò.[1] He begs you to accept it in a friendly spirit. I have already paid the freight.
I have just received your letter and I shall answer it at once.
Mr. Moret[2] shows a good disposition towards the Filipinos. He is a liberal and a reformer, but naturally always a Spaniard. He does not like Weyler[3] or the other generals.
I should like to read your vocabulary. It ought to be very interesting.
My Morga will soon be divided into pages; I have already read the first proofs.
The Memoir will soon be finished.
Greet for me all homines bonae voluntatis.[4]
Yours,
Rizal
03-443 [Reformists]
[1] A Philippine fern from which is obtained material used in making fine hats and cigarette cases ( Lygodium dichotomum Sw.)
[2] Segismundo Moret, then president of the Council of Ministers of Spain.
[3] A governor general of unhappy memory in the Philippines for his violent procedure in the Kalamba conflict. He also served as governor of Cuba.
[4] Men of goodwill.