Brussels
Short of money – Desire to return to the Philippines even if that is rashness – “As we are not doing well on the path of prudence, I am going to look for another.” – It is better to die in the Philippines than to do badly in Europe – Rizal doesn’t understand why Pedro Serrano Laktaw in Paris – Received a letter from Paciano telling Rizal to attend to the Calamba case in Madrid.
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38 Rue de Champagne
Brussels, 18 July 1890
[Mr. Mariano Ponce]
Barcelona, Spain
MY FAVORITE FRIEND:
I receive your valuable letter on time with 125 francs enclosed which are equivalent to 166 francs because you are entitled to 25%, that is to say, 17 copies of Morga. In short, it is I who owe you. Deduct it from the Noli which had been sent to Manila.
I said on time, because I had only one franc left when I received your help. Serrano sent me 100 francs for my trip to Paris, but I returned them. So, many thanks.
If you think it worthwhile to publish my letter to the Malolos women, publish it in my name. Only I want to improve my Tagalog so that I should like to read the proofs and you take care of polishing it, for I consider you better versed in Tagalog, as you have many there with whom to talk in it. The Arancel is a proof of what I am saying.
If Graciano insists on going to La Habana, let him go and may he have a happy trip. Perhaps his fortune is there. I say, however, that if his hopes are not realized, he should turn again his eyes toward his country and if I am there or in some neighboring colony, however insignificant my position might be, he could come to me and we can live together.
I want to return to the Philippines and though this might be rashness or an imprudence, what does it matter? The Filipinos are all too prudent and that is why our country is thus, and as it seems to me that we are not getting along well on the path of prudence, I am going to look for another. Who knows if the Philippines is really a special country which should be governed by special laws? The only thing that can dissuade me is my parent’s opposition. It is my duty not to disturb their last days. In that case, I hope to work to earn my living in any other part of the world.
Pedro Serrano is in Paris; I do not know yet why he has come. When my finances improve, I will go to see him. I appreciate your generosity in inviting me to live with you and del Pilar and if it were possible, with Serrano also. The four of us could organize the entire Filipino colony in Europe. We four could be the four musketeers better than those of Dumas, but, my friend, I do not want to be a burden on anyone, nor do I want to get into more debts.
Regards to all.
Yours,
RIZAL
P. S.
At this moment I received a letter of my brother telling me to attend to the case against the Hacienda in Madrid. If you are going to Madrid, perhaps I might decide to go. Write me. Is Serrano going also? Is Marcelo remaining there?
03-559 [Reformists]