London
He didn’t find letters from home upon arrival — His trip from Liverpool to London — He boards with an English family — Sunday at London is boresome.
* * *
37 Chalcot Crescent, Prhnrose Hill, N.W.
London, 12 June 1888
On my arrival here I found some letters of Blumentritt and Llorente but none from you nor the family. This is quite surprising to me and I cannot guess the reason. I suppose that the mail cannot be blamed for it. Now I write form my new residence whose address I have placed at the head of this letter. If your letters have not been lost you can write me with this address:
J. Rizal, Esq.
37 Chalcot Crescent
Primrose Hill N.
London, England.
Continuing this letter I’ll tell you that on the same day of the 24th we arrived at Liverpool where I spent the night at the Adelphi Hotel. (Here a plate of turtle soup costs more than a peso). Liverpool is a big and beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its great fame. The entrance is magnificent and the customhouse is quite good.
The following day, the 25th, we left by the Midland Railway for London and the road is very beautiful; the land is cultivated, neat and pretty houses, and big factories. In the afternoon we reached London and we stopped at the Grand Hotel Midland. From there I went to look for my letters, house, etc. At first I lodged at a house on Beresford Road, but afterward I didn’t like it and after a week I left it and came here to live with a private family. I’m not badly off; I’ve two rooms, one for sleeping, small and quite warm and another for studying, writing, and receiving callers. The family consists of the husband and wife, four daughters, and two sons. The daughters are called Gertrude (Tottie), Blanche (Sissie), Flory, and Grace; the first two, who are already young women, have sweethearts. Tottie sings very well and Sissie accompanies her. (They are pronounced Toti, Sisi.) One son is employed and the other sings in the church. Board and room cost me 45 pesos a least. In England everything is dearer than in other parts of Europe.
Sundays here are very boresome; every place is closed, there are neither shops nor theaters, and if music is played it is only religious music. Hardly can one see a poor coach going through the streets. I spend Sunday afternoon at the home of a German doctor who has a collection of books on the Philippines and who is very amiable. There I take tea with the family. This gentleman who is called Doctor Rost paid for a Tagalog grammar by Fr. Ortiz the sum of 40 pesos. I have here the grammar for he loaned it to me.
Through this mail I’m sending Eusebio his eyeglasses. I have to send him English glasses for I’ve not yet gone to France. Later on I shall send him French glasses.
Here there are very good hunting rifles. If my brothers-in-law want them, let them write to me. Its price is not more than 70 pesos; there are cheaper ones.
Tell me if you have received all that I have sent you: Letters, picture of my sister Olimpia, combs, vaccine, etc. etc. Write me so that I may not believe that letters get lost. You can also send me letters in one envelope addressed to the Spanish Consul:
21 Billiter Street E.C.
London.
With nothing more, love to all, may you continue united and in good harmony.
Your son and brother who loves you dearly,
JOSÉ RIZAL
03-299 [Reformists]