03-048 [Reformists]
1882.11.04 Barcelona
From: Tomas Cabangis
To: Jose Rizal
Offers to send Rizal Baltazar’s Florante at Laura[1] — Gregorio Sanciangco calls on him – Once again advises the use of the “Cabangis remedy” for the health concerns of a friend named Perio — Inquires about the professor of obstetrics at the Colegio da San Carlos at Madrid where Rizal is enrolled.
* * *
Barcelona, 4 November 1882
Mr. Jose Rizal
My dear Friend and good Compatriot,
I received your letter dated 30 October and from it I have learned that you are well and contented, which makes me very glad. I too am well as always, thank God.
The Postman of….Street has asked me for your address in order to forward to you a registered letter from the Philippines. I gave him your Sauco Street address, inasmuch as until then I had not received any letter from you. This very morning I gave him the Amor de Dios Street so that he can forward those he will receive henceforth.
I conveyed to Julia and her companions what you asked me to tell them. They are grateful to you and at the same time resentful, for they say that it does not take many days to know Madrid for a talented man like you; just like them.
About R….I can tell you many things, but let us wait for the opportunity to be able to talk personally for a detailed explanation. It seems to me that it will be very soon, because I have already my mother’s permission. I’m only waiting for the special examinations that they will give us on the occasion of the Queen’s delivery. The rumor is that it will be for next December, so that I cannot go to that city until after Christmas.
It seems to me that Lorenzo does not want to go there any more on account of his family, so that if you need the Florante soon, I have no inconvenience in sending it to you by mail, otherwise I shall take it to you myself.
I received good news from the family, thank God. I hope that the typhoon of 20 October did not cause them losses as the cholera did. You will receive my congratulations if you too have received the same news.
Sanciangco called on me many times before leaving. The other countrymen behaved very badly towards him because they did not even call on him knowing that he was here. They did not do that to Genato when he came….
Farewell, my friend, until my next letter. In the meantime receive the tender embraces of your friend who loves you,
Tomas
P.S.
Regards to Perio and other countrymen who know me. Tell Perio to apply the Cabangis remedy if he feels cold there.
The Same
Do me a favor of finding out if the professor of obstetrics there is good or bad, for I intend to transfer my matriculation in case the special examinations are not held.
[1] The masterpiece of the renowned Tagalog poet, Francisco Baltazar or Balagtas. Rizal liked to read it to improve his command of the Tagalog language.