26 July 1888

London

Rizal wrote Senator Vida refuting his errors — Cortes has recessed — The speech against Filipino aspirations did not arouse much interest — If Senator Vida resumes his attack, I will refute his falsehoods in the press — Misbehavior of the friars according to the letter from Manila—Plans for the autumn and winter — Wishes Paciano would continue writing Blumentritt — “He is more spiritual and of greater merit than I am.”

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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 26 July 1888

My dear Friend,

Satisfied and in good humor I write you today because I received letters from my native country. I was already very miserable for lack of news. Perhaps I may send you my brother’s letter whom you esteem greatly.

On the same day I received your letter I wrote Senator Vida in a cold and simple tone. I waited a long time for his reply in order to send it to you but the senator has not yet answered me. Permit me to hold an opinion different from yours on Spanish newspapers. Therefore, I will not write any article for now. The Cortes has recessed, politics sleeps, and my article would not have the desired effect now. Moreover, Mr. Vida’s speech did not rouse great interest. But, if he does not answer my letter and returns the charge with his fabulous stories at the next session of the parliament, then I will write an article that will teach him a little courtesy and fairness; by then we can give him a good beating, because we have already given him a warning.

From the Philippines they write me that “the friars have burnt many towns and villages: San Fernando, Malolos, Bacolor, Antipolo (31 May), Ermita and others. In Antique the friars made a simulacra of an uprising . . . The friars have burnt the whole town of Antipolo on 31 May and in Ermita the parish priest, Fr. Santos, ex-Provincial of the Recollects, is continually setting on fire houses. In the province of Antique, they simulated an uprising, saying that more than 300 men had risen and the authorities had to send there a warship[1] with a company of soldiers; but all of that was the work of the friars as you can judge by the Manila newspapers.”

I have received a letter from Dr. Schudhardt. He speaks of you; what should be my attitude towards this gentleman? Pardo de Tavera complains about him, but I wrote him offering him the little that I know in the interest of science and of my country.

I don’t know yet how long I will remain here. I may decide to spend the whole winter at Brussels. I wish to visit the Exposition of Paris next autumn. I will write you more on that. I am also waiting for news from my country.

If you wish, you may keep my brother’s first letter; but this other one of his, which I’m enclosing, that has much cheerful wit, I beg you to return to me, because I wish to publish it in my next book.

When I was in Manila, I wished to publish my translation of your work on Mindanao, but they wanted to submit it to censorship to which I objected. I believe that you are far above the Manila censor and he should not be allowed to wreak his caprice on your work.

I will write my brother to carry on correspondence with you. I tell you that he is more spiritual and of greater merit than I am, but he has to look after our estate and has no time to tour Europe.

Greetings to the whole family; your friend Rizal does not forget you and is happy to have you as his new family in Europe.

Greetings to Dr. Czepelack.

Faithfully yours,

Rizal

03-316 [Reformists]