Dapitan
Rizal received his orders except the sponge – Music books for his nieces care of Josephine Bracken – Rizal’s bicycle – Little hope for a new patient – Agrees it better not to marry anyone – Wants to have furniture made in Manila – Sending pickles and fish – She hasn’t sent him his picture album.
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Dapitan, February 12, 1896
My dear sister Trining:
I received your letter and my orders according to the list, except the sponge. Ask our mother for the money these cost you, as well as that for the previous shipment. The box for last month could not go; it is going now on this mail boat. Miss J. is thanking you for the bottle of Kananga, and gives you a gift of muslin cloth for your col1ar, according to her. The music books are for Angelica and Delfina, gift of. Miss Bracken. She is thanking our mother for the stockings and she begs that she be excused for not having anything now to send in exchange.
Leave the bicycle this time.
The patient arrived here, but I have very little hope. I believe that you are right in not marrying; the most fortunate woman has to suffer for her husband and risks the danger of dying from giving birth. It is better not to marry.
Inside the box are the three bundles of paper for Mr. Paterno. I am very happy that the · daughters of Sra. Lucia are learning much; I would request that the lady professor who had been in Paris teach the girls hygiene and housekeeping.
The lottery list is not bad, but I would have preferred another with better numbers. It is complete.
With respect to the order for furniture given to you, tell that gentleman that here there are narra, even molave; that if he needs one, although it is a little small like what we call Dulang,[1] I can send him one. It is the transportation that is costly, for they are very heavy, but we will do what we can. Nevertheless, it seems to me that there should be better pieces in Manila, for lumber arrives there from all the islands, and they are made better and cleaner. The carpenters here are very ignorant, and the boards are poorly made. Nevertheless, the gentleman should not think that I do not want to serve him; let him say that he needs it, and I will take care of sending him the best that I can find. Read to him my letter. He need not worry about what it is going to cost.
Send us three sacks of rice in the next boat.
I have sent the bottle of pickles to Maria. We have not yet tried ours.
Only one salted fish is being sent, because as we have had bad days without anything to eat, we consumed the others.
Many regards to our relatives and friends.
Your brother who loves you with
all his heart,
JOSE RIZAL
P. S.
Tell Pangoy that I received her letter, which is very well written, pleasing me much. Miss Josephine returns affectionately her regards.
You have not sent me the album of my pictures.
02-888 [Blumentritt V.2]
[1] A small dining table, usually 4 by 2 1/2ft., less than one foot high, so the diners sit on the floor.