04-029 [Misc.]
1882.07.11 Manila
From: Jose M. Cecilio
To: Jose Rizal
Receives letters of Rizal from Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo – News of mutual friends.
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Manila, 11 July 1882
MR. JOSE RIZAL
MY DEAR FRIEND AND NAMESAKE,
For the duration of my eye ailment I had to deprive myself to many things, for I was closed up in the house for three months. Now that I am completely cured I am going to pick up the pen write you that, according the information of the landlord and Gella, who attended your town fiesta, it was as grand as that of year before last. What a pity I was not there because my illness did not permit me; otherwise I would have applauded Ramon Arrieta who played the role of Cucufate in Classical Music.
I am informed of the contents of your three letters written in Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo. It was a great satisfaction for me to read in them the flattering treatment accorded you by your fellow passengers, particularly the former governor of Antique, and the care they lavished on you when you got seasick. In the understanding that you continued your voyage, you should now be strolling in the capital city of Barcelona, if not in Madrid. I felicitate you on your happy arrival, as we all wished and hoped. Soon we shall receive letters from you written in Spain. How we devoured what you have addressed to us!
As you will read in the letters of your brother and the landlord these two oblige you to go to Madrid for reasons they explain in them.
In compliance with your request I delivered all your books and other articles to your sister Maria who came with your mother on the night of … of last month, birthday of the landlord. On this occasion, we had a special dinner, the invited guests being the Vazquez girls and Mamerta. There was not much merry-making because the landlord is in mourning for the recent death of his brother Pepe (may he rest in peace). I wrote a little speech which is worth at least two, though it is bad for me to say so, that was read after the dinner by one Juan Moran of Lingayen, who has come here to put a boy in school.
Last night I was with friend Miciano at the house of Margarita whose family I visited in your name and they send you their affectionate regards as well as many thanks. I entertained the girl M. with my everlasting chatter, but I also saddened her with the news that we received that V.J. is gravely ill of rheumatism in one leg which, according to medical opinion, ought to be amputated. Just imagine, if the opinion of that physician is carried out if it will not leave him half man. You cannot depict the marked sadness on the face of his sweetheart. Poor betrothed!
My numerous pursuits have not allowed me until now to pay a visit to the girls in Sta. Cruz. This evening I shall have to work until a late hour and soon will come days when I shall have to work from 9 to 12 at night on account of the blessed appropriations. Not for this however will Rizalian relations with that district be cut off, because I shall try to pay them a visit before the little night work comes, if the weather does not prevent it, inasmuch as for days it has been raining at intervals and not so heavy.
Your French leave has surprised many friends to the point of pricking their curiosity and they ask if there was something serious about it.
I repeat that my work does not permit me now to give you many news, but trusting that they will all be in the landlord’s letter to you, I will close here until the next, wishing you much happiness and you know you can command at your pleasure your friend and comrade,
JOSE M. CECILIO
P.S.
As you will understand, with the little time at my disposal, I cannot make this letter literary and therefore it is all written hastily.
It seems that we can expect earthquakes, for at dawn of the 9th we already felt a rather appreciable earthquake.