Paris
30 May 1888
Mr. Jose Rizal
My dear friend Rizal,
I received your letter from London and I congratulate you sincerely on your arrival at the capital without mishap or vexation, except leaving behind your family; for, when you wrote me that you were going back to Manila, I had a certain presentiment that you would return sooner than you expected.
Mr. Blumentritt wrote me that some of your friends were amusing themselves by writing you at Malabon to make the friars believe that you were there.
Tell me what happened to you in our country, for you said nothing about it in the card which I received from Hong Kong, except that you were forced to leave our country. It is really unfortunate to live in exile far away from all our most beloved ones. During my eleven years in Europe, I did nothing but think of going back, and as time passes by my desire to go back increases. In Paris I have a new family and to crown our wishes—I mean to say those of Paz and mine—a son has arrived who is our delight:[1] He is now 8-½ months; the little rascal is very smart and is named Andres.
Tell me also about your travel impressions, especially about your stay in Japan, whose people are so attractive to me. I am an enthusiastic admirer of their painting and I think that it is as advanced as that of Greece and Italy. We should study more that country whom we resemble so much.
Goodbye; regards from my family and thanks for all your kindness. Here, as you know, you have a true friend.
With regards from Paz, kisses from Luling [Andres], and an embrace of your affectionate,
Juan Luna
P.S.
This is my new address and your house.
02-295 [Blumentritt V.1]
[1] His wife was Paz Pardo de Tavera, sister of Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera; his son Andres Luna San Pedro, became a noted architect and died on 23 January 1952 in the Philippines.