9 June 1886

Wilhelmsfeld

Wilhemsfeld,[1] 9 June 1886

MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS,

Since the beginning of January until now, I haven’t received either a letter or a draft, though according to my calculation I ought to receive money a month ago, for what I have would barely last until the beginning of May. The next mail doesn’t arrive until after two weeks, and as I haven’t received your advice to give up, I continue hoping… In Germany I have neither a countryman nor a true friend to turn to. Luna has been lending me the whole past month, but my friend is poor and besides has his brother at Paris and has to support two. I expected to receive through the latter, who arrived two weeks ago, the watch my brother promised me, but undoubtedly you didn’t know he was leaving.

I repeat once more, lest you may have forgotten it, the convenience and necessity of writing in advance when you cannot send me the promised account. Thus, I shall be at ease knowing by what to abide and I don’t contract obligations which later will cause me displeasure that are not easy to imagine.

If you don’t have much to tell me, a postal card with four or five words would suffice, which is very convenient and costs one half. With an expenditure of four cuartos, you save me many displeasures. This is always easy to do.

It is my serious and ardent desire to go home, for it seems that I cause too much expense and I wish to help the family in whatever way I can. I’m tired of Europe and I’m afraid to ruin the family, for they say that business is very bad. I wish to go home as soon as possible in order to be with you.

When you send a draft, send me through the following mail the 2nd copy, and the 3rd copy through the one after that, in order that in case it is lost, the amount can be collected. I fear that that is what might have happened this time for I can’t explain the delay and lack of letters. In Europe postal employees are very honest and diligent, at least in France, Germany, and England. It is seldom that a letter gets lost.

Yours,

RIZAL

Please answer this letter.

04-157 [Misc.]