9 October 1889

Madrid

9 October 1889

MR. JOSE RIZAL,

Your letter did not surprise me, dear Rizal, for it was precisely what I wanted and was looking for. I confess that I wrote you so that you would not say I have a grudge. I cannot have any, nor do I think there should be any between us, especially when there is no reason for it.

You thought I was cold towards you and I thought you were towards me. It is the result of lack of understanding and of not speaking clearly. I said so to my companions upon our return to Madrid, we were both mistaken.

We have no reason to be somewhat cold to each other for many times I asked you if you were making love to Nelly[1] and you told me no, and you even encouraged me to court her, saying that you have commitments to fulfill, etc., etc. Consequently, I was already sure of you, that you were my friend, the rest did not matter to me. This is all therefore, lad, we ought to continue as friends as I thought we never ceased to be.

How is your work?

Llorente has begun shooting at the house of the Zouave; I, at the house of Carbonel. We should like to shoot together at the same hall but we cannot do it in this month. Encourage the Indios Bravos to do likewise. Aguilera, who enrolled with me, has not gone there even once and neither have the others. Llorente is very enthusiastic.

An embrace from your friend,

ANTONIO

Regards to Ventura and to the whole colony.

I have learned that you have been in London and you have returned to Paris.

03-449 [Reformists]

1889. 10.10 Madrid

From: Julio Llorente

To: Jose Rizal

Llorente will do everything in favor of education – Practices his shooting daily – He requests to speak to Juan Luna about Esteban [MELECIO?] Figueroa who received an offer to work at the Imprenta Ramirez in Manila.

* * *

3 Plaza S. Marcial, Madrid

10 October 1889

DEAR RIZAL,

I received your letter of October and being informed of its contents, I wish that the society you have founded prosper and count me at once as one of its members. Lad. I will do everything I can in favor of education, the foremost aim of the said association[2].

I go every day to the Hall of Arms of the Zouave (Mr. Nicolas). In the course of the year or a year and months, I intend to return our country and then, as I am planning to embark at Marseille, I shall pass through Paris . . . .

Give my regards to Mr. Hyacinthus . . . . The Marquis de Heredia comes everyday to the Hall of Arms of where I go.

Now, another thing. Our compatriot Figueroa[3] has received a letter from Juan Luna offering him a position with a salary of P1,100 in the printing establishment of his brother-in-law Ramirez of Manila. Figueroa likes to accept gladly the offer but he asks you to please tell Luna that he has no fund for a trip to Paris as Luna requires him to undertake to learn there the new methods of engraving, etc., and moreover, as he is receiving a government pension, upon accepting the position offered by Ramirez, he has to renounce that pension. In view of this, Figueroa requests you to persuade Luna to begin his salary on the day he gives up his pension, which, between us, seems to me very fair. More clearly still: Figueroa’s salary should begin the moment he takes the train for Paris. In short, lad, put yourself in our compatriot’s place and do what you think most proper, bearing in mind only that he has no other means of livelihood except the monthly pension of P30. It is P40 but it is reduced to P30 because of the money order and the agent’s commission.

When your work is published, send me a copy.

Regards from Jesusa and kisses from the girls.

Regards also from Teodora and my mother-in-law.

Your sincere friend and compatriot,

JULIO

P. S. Regards to Ventura and other friends.

02-450 [Blumentritt V.1]