2 March 1886

Madrid

Madrid, 2 March 1886

Mr. Jose Rizal

Heidelberg, Germany

My esteemed Friend,

I received first your letter of 26 January written in Paris, but as you said in it that you were leaving for Germany and would write me again from your new residence, I did not answer it then until I knew definitely where to address my letters. Complying with your promise you wrote me from Heidelberg on 22nd of Last February, and I have the greatest pleasure to acknowledge receipt of both letters, thanking you most sincerely for your attention and remembrance.

In the first, among other things, you told me that Ventura was going to the Philippines on the 14 February, though with the purpose of returning in September or October; that Luna was finishing the Blood Compact and drawing the Battle of Lepanto; and that Hidalgo would exhibit a painting at the Rue de la Paix and was finishing Les Captives to be exhibited in the salon.

With respect to the first, I shall be very glad to see him back here, for Ventura is a person I appreciate very much. With regard to our painters, great will be my satisfaction if they attain great honor and much benefit, as I wish, raising even higher the glory of the Philippines and consequently that of Spain in reference to pictorial art. I suppose that you already know that the celebrated Spoliarium has been acquired by the Provincial Delegation of Barcelona. I do not know for certain at what price Luna sold it, but whatever it is, I have the satisfaction to know that so renowned a painting will remain in Spain and will not end in a foreign country.

In the second letter you give me information about that city about which I know only from what is learned in books which, as a general rule, is always far from what is seen on the spot with the eyes. The old woman of the castle and the two barrels that you tell me about have attracted my attention. The first because in that country of fantastic tales and traditions undoubtedly she will resemble, by the picture you drew of her, the spirit of the ruins or shadow of the castle, according to your own description. The second, or rather the barrels, by their sizes and capacity, in order to hold 236,000 bottles, it is necessary that they be as large as a real dancing hall. Undoubtedly Germany is a country of barrels.

Can you stand as well as you say the snow that is everywhere? Here we are having a fairly tolerable winter, for until now we have had few days of excessive cold.

Wishing that you advance greatly in….and above all may you keep in good health, and with the affectionate regards of Rafael and Consuelo,[1] you know that you are truly esteemed by your very affectionate friend,

Pablo Ortiga y Rey

01-148 [Family]