15 July 1889

Paris

A deceased brother-in-law of Rizal was denied burial in the cemetery — For having died without confession, as he died suddenly of cholera — “He will be converted into dust just the same in his solitary grave on the hill.” — Quioquiap irrelevant, he changes the subjects — Do you want to answer him?

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45 Rue de Maubeuge, Paris

15 July 1889

Dear Friend,

I have received your esteemed letters some time ago. Pardon me for not having answered them at once. I have just arrived from London, I have changed my residence here, and I am a little grieved. I shall relate to you my sorrows, for friends are for this.

Fancy that I had one of the best brothers-in-law,[1] a friend, a brother; he was for me more than a friend, more than a brother. My father as well as my mother and sisters liked him very much. He was my brother’s cordial friend and towards his wife he was so kind that he never quarreled with her even once. Now this brother-in-law died of cholera on 23 May and they did not want to bury him in the cemetery for being Rizal’s brother-in-law and for having died without confession. That he died without confession is understood, for he got sick suddenly more or less, and he died of cholera. But it is an infamy to humiliate him in the eyes of the people just because he was my brother-in-law!

Oh, I tell you that our Catholic religion is no longer a religion of God; no, I deny it. God ought not to be responsible for such a religion.

Naturally my family laughs at this. My brother writes me that my brother-in-law will also be converted into dust on top of the hill, where I used always to stroll. His wife and five small children — the oldest is nine — will always think and never forget that the body of her deceased husband and their father had been insulted and in an ignominious manner. I have the text of the telegrams exchanged between the friars on this occasion. They are the best proofs of their imprudence, of their hatred. I am not surprised. I find it very natural. Only my enemies are allowed to commit such deeds! Did I not predict this in my Noli me tángere?

Enough! And now to Quioquiap.

I already had an idea of the poverty of the knowledge of this man, but when I read his reply, that idea became worse. He has not been able to answer any argument or fact in your article. He is irrelevant and talks about a different subject. Do you want me to answer him? I consider him too inferior to you. He uses only high-sounding, bombastic words, but they are empty.

Pardo de Tavera, Luna, and the other Filipinos here greet you and congratulate you. They would like to have you here to honor you. If you decide to come, you have only to tell me about it. God will help us!

I shall send the manuscript to Barcelona now.

I shall still correct many expressions in the manuscript, as in the translation many of those expressions were translated literally into Spanish.

Next time I shall write you even longer. Now I have yet to go to the printing press and to the fencing class.

Yours,

Rizal

I greet the whole family.

03-422 [Reformists]