Biarritz
11 February 1891
MR. MARIANO PONCE
DEAR FRIEND,
I received your letter together with copies of La Solidaridad. Thanks.
Do not ask me yet for articles for the Soli because I am still very busy. In case there is something to be answered that Selong, Luna, and others cannot attend to – which is unlikely to happen – then I will try to do it. Thank God that my ardent hope that I may not be needed seems to be on the way to fulfillment, for I believe that all of you are capable of doing all the work there. I am withdrawing little by little, but I will do what I can.
Greet all my friends and acquaintances who may inquire about me.
Go ahead with your friendship with my namesake. Only do not make the mistake of substituting a for e in my name when you write me. Selong is lucky that, though he may make a mistake, he will remain as bright as day or dawn.
I have put on much weight since I arrived here; my cheeks are no longer sunken as before for the reason that I go to bed early and I have no cares.
If Mamang Piro[1] has already arrived please greet him on my behalf and tell him that I am sorry that I had left without seeing him.
That is all.
JOSE RIZAL
02-604 [Blumentritt V.2]
[1] Mamang is a Tagalog term of address for men. Mama means man; ng is added for the sake of euphony. Piro is a common Tagalog pet name for Pedro. Rizal refers to Pedro Serrano Laktaw .