24 August 1882

Calamba

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[1] 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,[2] 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;[3] 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]