25 December 1888

London

Data on Ituy in the Annotations to Morga — Two busts modeled by Rizal: Caesar Augustus for Blumentritt and Julius Caesar for Dr. Czepelack — Ponce, Canon, and López Jaena, and Rizal chat about Blumenritt — Personification of kindliness — Christmas eve — Evokes the Grand Genius who preached Truth and Love — He suffered for his mission — But for his sufferings, “the world has become better, if not saved.”

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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.

London, 25 December 1888

Dear Friend,

Only last night at eight o’clock, I returned here from a trip to Spain for a period of twelve days. I left so suddenly that I had no time to write you. Last night I received many letters, but I will answer yours first.

Under your name I shall make use of your data on Ituy in order to enrich my annotations to Morga. Certainly I could write to the Philippines to ask some gentlemen there about the matter but I am sure they will not reply . . . .

I shall answer Dr. Meyer’s questions day after tomorrow because today the Museum is closed. I made the trip to Spain so suddenly that I had no time to answer him. When I asked for The Travels of Ibn Batuta,[1] they answered me that the book had been lost.

On account of this trip I was not able to send a letter with the package. I am afraid that the transport agency charged you for the freight, for it has not sent me any invoice during my absence. In case they have collected from you, pardon me and tell me for the love of God how much they charged you and in what condition the box arrived. The package contains two busts, copies of those in the British Museum. The Augustus[2] is for you and the Julius[3] is for Dr. Czepelack. The Augustus gave me more work that the Julius. I modeled the Augustus during ten days from 9 to 4, but it is for you. I wanted to have it baked here but I had no time and Doulton did not want to be responsible for it. Maybe you have there an adequate oven for baking bricks and clay objects. Accept it as a remembrance from me. When they have been baked, they will then be like stones, maybe as hard as marble. Write me if they have arrived in good condition. I insured the statues for ten pounds.

In Barcelona I visited the Filipino colony — Ponce, Cánon, Graciano, and others were very amiable towards me. We certainly talked a great deal about you. You are the personification of kindliness to my countrymen. It is wonderful for us to know a European like you. Also we gave a banquet in honor of Quiroga Ballesteros.

The Multatuli is unobtainable. May God keep it! It was so beautiful!

I am going to order it in Dutch, for you also understand this language and in case it cannot be obtained, I shall write to Paris as there might be a translation of this book there. Be patient!

Today is Christmas Eve. This is the feast that I like to celebrate best. It reminds me of the many happy days not only of my childhood but also of history. Whether Christ was born or not exactly on this day, I don’t know; but chronological accuracy has nothing to do with tonight’s event. A grand genius had been born who preached truth and love; who suffered because of his mission, but on account of his sufferings, the world has become better, if not saved. Only it gives me nausea to see how some persons abuse his name to commit numerous crimes. If he is in heaven, he will certainly protest! Consequently, Merry Christmas! Let us celebrate the anniversary of the birth of a Divine Man.

Let Augustus be my Christmas gift to you! Christ was born in his time and under his time.

I shall write you again.

Greet your beloved and good lady — the best wife — in my behalf. As I have just arrived, I have nothing for my little friends — the little Blumentritt.

I embrace you.

Yours,

Rizal

03-359 [Reformists]

From: Jose Rizal London

To: Fernando Canon

British Museum was closed, could not accomplish the favor asked – “Be the interpreter of my sentiments” at the banquet on 31 December – Will send to Ponce manuscripts against Fr. Rodriguez and the friars.

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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill

London

28 December 1888

Jose Rizal

[Mr. Fernando Canon]

My dear Friend and old Comrade,

I arrived here bringing fresh the beautiful memories of your cordial reception and immediately I started working to fulfill my promise to you. Unfortunately the Museum was closed for two days and I could not do anything.

I write you not only to thank you, but also to ask you to be the interpreter of my sentiments when you meet on 31 December at night, granting that this letter arrives on time. In doing so I count on the ties that bind us. You are not only a good compatriot, but also to me an old childhood companion, a rival, a competitor, from whom I have learned much and whose name reminds me of many happy days.

I am sending to Ponce now the manuscripts against Fr. Rodriguez and the friars in general. See to it that the first is published as soon as possible.

I am enclosing herewith a greeting card for the New Year for your wife. May you celebrate it happily.

Give her my regards.

Yours,

Jose Rizal

03-340 [Reformists]