29 January 1883

Madrid

Madrid, 29 January 1883

MR. MANUEL T. HIDALGO

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW:

I have read your letter together with that of my sister and I’m very much pleased that you have written also even if your wife has already written me. The mine of my verbosity and news has been exhausted by the letters I have written to our parents and to my good sister Neneng. However, I believe I have something to your taste.

The French ministry is going through a crisis which indicates either death or convalescence. I fear very much that the events of ’93[1] might occur. Because of the excitement and tendency to exaggerate things such as outcome would not be surprising.

Neither does the present [Spanish] ministry offer large guarantees of stability. Nuñez De Arce, the minister of colonies has great plans. Let us hope that they would not be mere smoke and passing wind.

The general who is there is Jovellar. He is good they say, but he has a secretary…

According to a lawyer, the proposed legal reforms will never be carried out: First, because they are reforms; second, because we are in Spain; and third, because the mind of everyone is occupied with politics. Such reforms will be carried out with time – the great hope of the patient and lazy; and judging by the current trends, it that they will reform the reforms.

The weather here is very pleasant, like that of Christmas there. Two days ago I went out without an overcoat.

Greetings to my friends in Batangas, kisses to Freding; good, regulated, and reasonable hygiene for him.

Your affectionate brother-in-law,

JOSÉ RIZAL

01-072 [Family]

1883[?] Calamba, Laguna

From: Paciano Rizal

To: José Rizal

Improvement of the land at Pansol — Do not dispel the priests — Fine arts instead of law, says the curate.

* * *

Calamba, Laguna, 1883?

As the rains are keeping me at home and do not permit me to begin the work on the sugar cane, I’ll take advantage of these days of the year to write you and will not do so again during the work in the sugar-cane fields.

The object of the present letter is to speak to you a little about our family interests and a little about yours in particular. I’ll begin with the first.

The land in Pansol is improving and much can be expected from it in the future, provided I enjoy good health. The land is good and extensive.

This land, which did not cost us anything and ceded by the Corporation to us in preference to anybody else, deserves to be appreciated a little. We ought to be a little grateful to the Corporation which, without owing us anything, desires the welfare of our family. Undoubtedly you will tell me that I overlook the work involved and the rent paid. I agree with you, but you will also agree with me that these priests have no obligation to give us exclusively the Pansol land, ignoring others who were eagerly soliciting it. It does seem that they are trying to grant our family all the favor within their power to give. Knowing this, it behooves us to refrain from displeasing them in the least with our behavior, in view of the heedlessness of our services. If sometime you get to talk to Father Martinez, assure him that there are the sentiments that animate us.

With regard to your personal interests I believe that it does not suit you to study law but fine arts. In this matter, I follow the opinion of our parish priest and truly lawyers here performs the duties of landlord, teacher, farmer, and contractor, that is, all the professions except that of the lawyer. On the other hand, lawyers charge honorariums for defending cases whether they are right or wrong, which your conscience will not admit. Persons who practice medicine and the fine arts are rare, but they advance here and live peacefully, the only thing that you ought to desire in this world. This is mere advice, as I do not intend to exercise any compulsion on you. But I would be sorry if you do not hold the same opinion as I do. The joy of our parents may perhaps depend on this.

Your brother,

PACIANO MERCADO

04-073 [Misc.]