01-001
1876.03.26. Calamba, [Laguna].
José Rizal
TO: Basilia Bauzon de Leyba
[Family/100, Fac.p.1, Transl 2]
Tiring trip to Calamba. Delivery of cacao, proofs of photographs, and a lottery ticket for Saturnina
Calamba, 26 March 1876
My dear Lola Illang,
After an exceedingly tiresome trip we arrived at Calamba at eleven o’clock at night. So that you may have an idea how stressful my trip was, I tell you we were detained at Napindan until six o’clock in the evening.
Please receive from José two bags of cacao which are equivalent to twenty-five gantas, that is, one cavan. If the photographers bring you the proof, as you know how to distinguish the good from the bad, you may decide and if you are not sure, you may send it to me. My sister Saturnina requests you to give her a lottery list for the month of December [18]76.
Nothing more, regards to you and my dear aunts and command your obliging and affectionate grandson who loves you.
RIZAL.
01-002
1876.07.02 Manila, [Philippines].
José Rizal.
To: Narcisa, Lucía, Josefa, Trinidad, Soledad and Paciano
[Family/100 Fac3-4, Transl. 4-5.]
Slippers as birthday gift – Rizal wishes to paint when he goes to the University.He will send his grades in the next letter
Manila, 2 July 1876
My dear Sisters and Brother [Mis queridas hermanas y hermano],
I received the birthday gift of beaded slippers [chinelas de abalorio]. I’m very happy because they were made by you and because my name and surname are embroidered on them.
I am now studying Philosophy, Physics and Chemistry, Natural History, Drawing and Gymnastics. I thought I had to do water-color painting [a la aguada], that is, with colors, but I was mistaken. Nevertheless, I’m drawing a beautiful picture, “Bugler on Horseback,” and I intend to paint in oil when I study at Santo Tomás.
I’m well, but Pantaleón, for the information of his family has been sick for eighteen days now.
You’ll receive my grades in my next letter. Tell our father and our mother that I ask for their blessing and my little sisters to study diligently.
Regards to all the family, to my other two sisters, to my dear brother-in-law Ranito, and to the little Emilio.
I hope my brother will give me news about the fiesta.
Your little brother, [Vuestra hermanito]
JOSÉ RIZAL
01-003
1877.02.10. Tanawan, Batangas.
Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo
TO: José Rizal
[Family]
Plans upon Rizal’s graduation
Tanawan, Batangas
10 February 1877
MY DEAR JOSÉ,
With the object of greeting you and at the same time of asking you for the date of your graduation I permit myself to address you these lines, requesting you to tell me if you wish to make some preparation for the occasion so that I may be able to contribute something to it to show you my affection.
In the meantime, know that I profess you a great affection, and command your servant in whatever he can be useful to you. A thousand regards.
Affectionately yours,
MANUEL TIMOTEO HIDALGO
04-004
1877.03.19. Rome, [Italy]
Fr. Jacinto Febres
TO: Jose Rizal
[Misc.]
Advice of a former professor: Cultivate the “flower of virtue”.
Rome, 19 March 1877
- JOSE RIZAL
My very beloved Jose,
In my room at the Colegio de Manila I received your letter written on the occasion of my departure for Europe for reasons of health. I cannot but give you a thousand thanks for the moving as well as poetic phrases with which you depict the grief which your good heart feels for my departure. I have read and reread that letter with great pleasure and solace. In it you allude to a remembrance I gave you showing the Divine Gardener planting a flower and this flower is planted in your heart; it is the flower of virtue. Watch it well to keep it in your possession, if your conscience is tranquil, because soon it will be withered, and in order to keep it fresh, sprinkle it with the holy water of frequent confession and communion.
Try to be good, to be bomb-proof, so that when you discover evil, when you see it, it may not take hold of your heart. Run to the Father Confessor and at his feet tell him about the temptation and like a good father, like a good gardener, he will know how to cultivate this flower of virtue. In this way it will grow, bear fruit, which you will gather in heaven.
I have not sent this letter directly to your house because I think that you are still staying in the College. The Reverend Father Prefect will inform you where I live, in case you wish to write me. I am in Rome on my way to Florence, France, and Spain. My health is improving everyday, though slowly I hope you will offer communion for me. Today, which is your saint’s day, I remember you in my poor prayers. Greet on my behalf Cucullu, [Glicerio] Anzon, Perez, and other colleagues.
Your most affectionate watcher who loves you,
JACINTO FEBRES, S.J.
04-005
1877.03.19 and 1877.03.20. Manila, [Philippines].
From: Ricardo Aguado
TO: Jose Rizal
[Misc.]
Dedicated to Rizal by classmate Ricardo, 19 March 1877.
To my Dearest Friend, Jose Rizal, on His Saint’s Day, 19 March.
That merciful heart divine
Now lovingly inspires
My psaltery unrefined
With voices my mind doth seek
To sing its ardent love.
_______
Your pleasing image alone,
In my soft heart always engraved,
Now removes from me the fraud
The loved star from sailor forlorn
As in an agitated sea.
_______
For you’re, sweet friend of mine,
The only joy of my soul,
And always to be with you
Is my incessant desire
In this sad, unfortunate land.
_______
But since my luck denies
Me such happiness this day,
My Muse with tenderness
Its affection doth send to you
At this pleasant hour of joy.
_______
And cheerfully is content
Kind heaven to implore
To banish gloomy thoughts
Away from your lusty soul
And in it let dwell peace and joy.
_______
That, as the ardent rays
Of the sun eclipse feeble stars
With mortal grief,
As with belles-lettres you leave
Behind ‘neath your footprints the rest.
_______
That such enthusiasm your years
Frustration, wickedness, sad fears
Without perturbing your peace,
Like a brook among flowers gay
With thing of beauty pass by.
_______
And if one day finally
The Just calls you to His
Happy home of ineffable joy,
Your beautiful soul
May enjoy celestial bliss.
RICARDO AGUADO
Rizal,
Yesterday I could not give it to you because it was not yet finished, and then I went out and had no more time.
Don’t show these verses to anybody, not even to one you trust most.
(20 March 1877)
01-006
1877.04.13 Calamba, [Laguna].
From: José Rizal
TO: Basilia Bauzon de Leyba
[Family]
A delivery of cacao – Defects of a photo
Calamba, 13 April 1877
MY DEAR GRANDMA ILLANG, [Mi querida Lola Yllang]
Receive from the bearer eight and a half (8 1/2) gantas of cacao worth 14$ [pesos] and 7rs [reales]. My mother has not picked more than this until now and she has ordered some from the mountain, that is, from those living in the mountain, so that she can send you some more. We received the day bed of Old Teang, but it was already ruined.
They say that the picture has a defect or defects and I don’t know if we are going to order any. If that photographer insists, I believe it would be better to take only a dozen.
Command your most affectionate grandson who cherishes you sincerely.
RIZAL
04-007
1877.05.21 Manila, [Philippines].
From: Ricardo Aguado
TO: Jose Rizal
[Misc.]
Luna’s house assaulted by bandits.
Manila, 21 May 1877
DEAR JOSE,
I do not understand what you tell me about “the expedition going on.” Who are the boys at your house? On Sunday, the 20th, after Mass, I was standing at the door of the convent when I saw Mr. Patricio Lesaca (I call him “Mr.” because he did not even greet me) passing by in a vehicle. I was talking with Alaejos, Jugo S., and Olavides, a classmate. When we saw him, we called him, but not even for that did he look at us.
On the 19th, at 7:15 in the evening, occurred an event and it is this: At the Barraca, as you already know, lives Luna, your classmate. Well then, 30 bandits, more or less, assaulted his house at 7:15, as I said. And do you know who they were? Chinese dressed as Indians. They went up, tied the coachmen, and once upstairs two rushed to Luna’s father, one to his wife, seized her by the hair and dragged her through the house. Luna’s father snatched a bolo from one of the two who were with him and thus defended himself. The other one, who was holding his wife, seeing that the two bandits could not stop Luna’s father, left his wife and rushed to Luna’s father. It was then that they wounded him seriously on the left eyebrow, while his wife, as soon as she was freed by the one holding her by the hair, ran to the terrace and began shouting “Help! Help!” Another bandit was with his sons and daughters. One of the coachmen, who was tied, escaped and went to the quarters of the Veteran Guard in the district of Binondo and reported that bandits were at his master’s house. Instantly an officer with eight men left, reaching the house in a moment. Before entering the house, they stationed two sentinels at the door, another two at the corner of San Fernando and Riverita Streets. Immediately they went up and found Mr. Luna wounded. According to the family the bandits had fled towards Riverita Street. They went down immediately after receiving this information and when they were going in the direction of Riverita Street, they found a straw hat, a dagger, two scabbards for bolo, and the scabbard of the dagger, and a torn shirt full of blood. They proceeded towards Riverita Street, inquiring at all the stores (for they were open) if they had seen something, but they answered in the negative. They also questioned all those they met on the street and all said they had not seen anything.
They returned to the house and they did their duty searching everywhere but found nobody. When at 11:00 my uncle told them to go home, it occurred to one guard to look behind some large boards at the adjoining house. When he was about to pull down a board a Chinese shouted and he seized him and he whistled so that his companions would come. They came and they took down his declaration and he confessed where they lived and who they were.
They went there and they caught only four and afterwards the rest.
What is missing I shall write in my next letter,
RICARDO AGUADO
04-008 [Misc.]
1877
From: Eduardo de Lete
To: Jose Rizal
Four pesos – A volume of poems – A book by Jules Verne.
* * *
[Date? 1887?]
MR. JOSE RIZAL
ESTEEMED RIZAL,
This has no other object but to ask you a favor that I have no doubt you will grant me.
As you already know, in the college one cannot keep money and I do not ask my guardian for you know already what he is. I ask you to do me the favor of giving me P4 before Sunday. When you give it on a day when you have your topography class, give it to Enrique before or after the class, as it suits you, placed in an envelope because I do not want Enrique to know about my affairs. It seems to me that it will not cost you very much to grant me this favor.
I have appealed to you because I have no confidence in other boys, and it seemed to me better to appeal to you who have never denied me any favor that I have asked you.
With nothing for now, you know I esteem you. Command at your pleasure your friend,
EDUARDO LETE
P.S.
I will return soon your book of poems that I have, but I should like to copy some compositions. I will give you the second volume of Jules Verne when I finish Los Hijos del Capitan Grant that I lack.
The Same
Please do not let Catigbac, who lives in the same house, know about this because as you already know he is not very friendly with me and I don’t want any trouble with him.
04-009 [Misc.]
1878.07.16
Cebu
From: Fr. José Vilaclara
To: Jose Rizal
He asks Rizal for altar designs – Advises Rizal to frequent the sacraments – Invites him to spend his vacation at the Jesuit mission house.
* * *
JHS
Cebu, 16 July 1878
VERY ESTEEMED IN CHRIST MY FORMER STUDENT JOSE RIZAL,
I received your letter of 24 March towards the end of June, a few days before my fever compelled me to leave my dear Mission of Dipolog. You continue as until the present, always employing your time piously and achieve the best results in virtue and science. I felicitate you with all my heart and you will do it also in my name to Viejo and Jovellanos. For God’s sake, do not fail to attend the Congregation and to frequent the sacraments which are the most efficacious means of preventing one from getting lost and of guarding against the thousand tricks with which the enemy of the soul will snare you.
If you only knew how many times I have remembered you and how many other times you have been the subject of conversation of the fathers, my companions in the Mission. We have already agreed to invite you to spend your vacation here and to draw some altar designs that some inspired sculptors can use who, until now, for lack of models, turn out very inferior things. If I continue with the Mission, consider yourself invited for next year, and I assure you that you will not spend a poor vacation on those beautiful beaches and fertile fields which yield one hundred per cent to one who wishes to cultivate them.
Could you not do me or draw for me even though only with pencil and plainly some designs of the best altars in the city and copy the plan of our future church? You could afterwards give it to one of the fathers so that he can send it to me while I am here at Cebu where communications…
Next time tell me about other former students of the Ateneo. What career is Moises Santiago pursuing? Is Mr. Eleisegui still the prefect of the Congregation? How is the health of my dear Anacleto del Rosario? And others? Farewell, be very good and pray for me so that one day, not distant, we can see each other and solace ourselves in heaven.
Your former professor who desires your greatest good and offers himself to assist you to achieve it.
JOSE VILACLARA, S.J.
04-010 [Misc.]
1878.09.15 San Fernando, La Union
From: Enrique Lete
To: Jose Rizal
The brother of Eduardo Lete asks Rizal about a student conspiracy in which his brother is reported to be involved.
* * *
San Fernando, La Union
15 September 1878
DEAR AND UNFORGEITABLE RIZAL,
Without any letter of yours to answer I write this wishing you as always the joys of good health which I enjoy, thank God.
In one of the letters my brother has written me, which I do not know where it is now, I seem to have read that you are his classmate or you go to his class, or something like that. The thing is, whether it is true or not, I am going to ask you to please tell me if you know something of the conspiracy plotted by the upper class students against one of their professors – I do not know who of them. The case is that we have been told that Eduardo is among them, and as my Papa is anxious to know it, I should like you to tell me, if you are in his class, promising you that I will not tell anyone, the names of all those who are involved in the plot, the reason for the conspiracy, in short all about the case; and if you are not in his class, what you know and what you have heard.
With nothing more then, hoping to receive this favor from you, I remain your most affectionate friend and servant who esteems you,
ENRIQUE LETE.
P.S.
You will receive this letter through Glicerio.
04-011 [Misc.]
1878.10.08 San Fernando, La Union
From: Enrique Lete
From: Jose Rizal
Enrique Lete proposes an exchange of bobbin.
* * *
San Fernando, La Union
8 October 1878
MY DEAR FRIEND RIZAL,
With your letter of the last mail before me, by which I see that you are well as I am here, I write you this.
I thank you for the accurate explanation that you give me of what I asked you, only I ask you to excuse me of my promise, for I did not want to offend you with it.
With my letter of the past mail you must have received my picture, unless it has been lost and I believe that you will agree with what I tell you about the group. In that letter I asked you also to buy me a pair of iron weights and tell me its price in your reply so that I can send it to you through the bearer of the picture, but I forgot to tell you to do me the favor also to see if in some drugstore or bazaar there is for sale some alembic like that in the College, though a little larger. Buy it and tell me also its price so that I can pay you.
Now I am going to propose to you an exchange, which if you accept it, I shall appreciate very much: It is your bobbin, that one in the small box, for mine which you have also seen, plus an amount that you want to add, for yours costs more than mine. I tell you this for the bichromate pile that I have does not make mine work, except a little, and there you can get Bunsen piles for you do not lack ingredients. I hope you will tell me then whether or not you like to exchange; if you do, I can send it through the same bearer of the picture. Mine has its pile and Geisler tube just as I bought it for Pl. Yes or no? You know me already, if you do not want to give it up, tell me frankly “No”, and if it seems to you all right, “Yes”. Either way I shall be grateful to you. On my first trip to that city we shall settle accounts.
With nothing more to tell you and wishing you good health, I remain as ever your most affectionate friend,
ENRIQUE.
04-012 [Misc.]
1878.11.27 Sta. Cruz, Manila
From: Jose Rizal
To: Enrique Lete y Cornell
Rizal is studying painting, solfeggio, piano, singing, and fencing.
* * *
Sta. Cruz, Manila
27 November 1878
MR. ENRIQUE LETE Y CORNELL
MY VERY DEAR AND NEVER-FORGOTTEN ENRIQUE,
I have just received your letter and I am informed of its contents. Though I do not see you, it seems to me I see you grown up like a ball with two feet.
I received the letter to which you refer, but the reply undoubtedly must have been lost. The weights cost P3 1/2; but if you want mine, which are in Calamba, that do not cost more than P3 1/8, I shall give them to you. It seems to me that you will not be so bad that you would want to deprive me of mine, though I am too good to give them to you.
The bobbin, my son, is doubtful. Do not expect the exchange, because yours will not be useful to my sisters. As for me, I would accept the exchange.
Mariano Catigbac ought to have been married day before yesterday to… But you?
I continue studying painting, I do heads from the natural in oil. I have an ambition to become a landscape painter. I am among corpses and human bones having become inhuman, a quack; formerly I was very finical. My hand is trembling for I have just played moro moro, for you must know that I aspire to become a sort of swordsman.
For a month and a half I studied solfeggio, piano, and singing. If you hear me sing, you would say that you were in Spain, for you would hear the braying of an ass.
Farewell. Command your friend who loves you and my compliments to your whole family, though I do not have the pleasure to know them.
J. RIZAL
04-013 [Misc.]
1879.06.24 Lipa, Batangas
From: Mariano Catigbac
To: Jose Rizal
An invitation from Rizal to Kalamba’s town fiesta – The illness of Catigbac’s wife – Difficulties in sending Rizal letters – “Do not be frightened of married persons…”
* * *
Lipa, Batangas
24 June 1879
MR. JOSE RIZAL
MY DEAR FRIEND,
You cannot imagine how happy I am to receive your esteemed letter in which you have shown more than ever your fraternal love, at the same time deigning to invite me to the town fiesta, which, had it not been for the misfortune that I bear, which is the illness of my wife, I would not have failed to go there, at least to please you, but Providence has willed that my first misfortune be this.
The last letter that I wrote you was when you were in Manila inviting you to my wedding but without mentioning the date for then I myself did not know definitely what it was.
Later, however, I wanted to write you inasmuch as I had not received any reply and I doubted if you had received that letter, but someone (I don’t know who it was) told me that you were no longer boarding at Mr. Ramon Rivera’s house. I went around asking persons who knew you but no one could tell me your address.
Do not be frightened by married persons, for I’m the same as before except that I am married, but my heart is the same.
Regards from us to your family and command this your friend, comrade, and servant who kisses your hand,
MARIANO CATIGBAC
I remind you that you have one servant more.
Mariano.
Another thing: Excuse this paper as the mail leaves at this very moment.
The Same.
01-015 [Family]
1879.10.10 Calamba, Laguna
From: Saturnina Rizal
To: José Rizal
Errands involving a drum, a butterfly, oranges, and Saturnina’s anchor-ring – Regards to Leonor Rivera and others
* * *
Calamba, Laguna
10 October 1879
DEAR BROTHER,
Don’t forget the drum and the butterfly that are sold at the Escolta.
Tell Titay to send me quickly my anchor-ring that I ordered them to make me and see also if our accounts tally.
With nothing more, my regards to Aunt Betang, Uncle Antonio, Leonor and tell Aunt Betang to remove at once from the basket the mandarin oranges so that they will not be spoiled
SATURNINA
P.S.
Compliments to the comedians and circus players and to Apacible and Alberto
04-016 [Misc.]
1879.10.15 Madrid
From: Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo
To: Jose Rizal
The School of Fine Arts has good professors but lacks adequate facilities. The Museo del Prado is marvelous.
* * *
Madrid, 15 October 1879
DEAR FRIENDS RIZAL AND ANZON,
I write you in the same letter because I suppose that what I may tell one will be exactly the same as what I can tell the other. Moreover I have always considered you like Orestes and Pylades, Castor and Pollux, and other personages that are almost twins.
You have us here as students of the Academy attending all classes of its School of Fine Arts. We enter with a certain diffidence and why deny it, with a little fear, but upon seeing here the work of the students of the Academy, we lost our fear. On the other hand, we were greatly disenchanted because we would have liked to have as classmates people who have more mettle than the ones now attending the school for they would have served as a stimulus to us.
Our professor in the class of ancient painting and drapery from 8 to 10 in the morning is Mr. Espalter; in that of coloring and composition from 10 to 12 in the morning, Mr. Federico Madrazo; in that of pictorial anatomy from 1 to 2 in the afternoon, Mr. Ignacio llanos; and in that of the natural from 6:30 to 8:30 in the evening, Mr. Carlos Ribera.
They are all very good professors, but you can be very sure that what you can study there under Mr. Agustin Saez is exactly the same as what is taught here, neither more nor less, with the difference that there you paint and draw much more comfortably than we do here, because there you have the entire hall at your disposal, while we here can hardly pick up a bad corner, often enveloped in darkness, and we have to stretch our necks to sec the model who, parenthetically speaking, is almost always quite poor, though very suitable for the study of the deviations of the human form.
I thank you for your congratulations. May God will that the day come when I shall truly deserve them. In the meanwhile, do not lose your courage and follow the advice of our dear professor Mr. Agustin Saez and in that way you will advance greatly in such a difficult study as that of painting.
I do not want to tell you about the Museum because I have no more time. I will only tell you that it contains the most valuable collection of paintings, more than 3,000, that is found in Europe. One leaves that building with a headache and despair in the soul, because one is convinced of the little he knows, that one is not even an atom compared with those colossi of art. I suppose that you must have received the books that you ordered through me. At the first opportunity I shall send to Anzon the books that I did not find at Bailly Bailliere. Give very many regards on my behalf to my fellow martyrs of painting, including the amateurs, and pardon this badly written letter because I am very tired after eight hours of work daily and besides I have had to answer eight letters. As always command your friend and former comrade,
F. Resurreccion
01-017 [Family]
1880.07.27 Manila
From: José Rizal
To: Paciano Rizal
News about Anastacio Banatin – Request for new pillows, complete with cases, and new sheets – Rizal asks for his monthly allowance for August
* * *
[Manila,] 27 July 1880
MY DEAR BROTHER,
I received your letter and I’m informed of its contents. Anastaciois safe in the college for he has not cracked up. Moreover, the Father Rector does not allow anyone to go out.
My pillow is now almost useless. Let us see if you can send me two new ones, and I say two so that if any of you comes, he may have his own. I would like them also to have their corresponding cases and I would like some sheets.
I gave two pesos to the Rubios, and I should like you to send me my monthly allowance for August as Nanay and I had agreed. I shall have the greatest pleasure if you do me this great favor.
Nothing more, love to all, and command your brother.
JOSÉ RIZAL
P.S.
Esteban and Zaragoza as well as other friends and compatriots send you regards
01-018 [Family]
n.d Manila
From: José Rizal
To: Teodora Alonso
Rizal’s safe arrival at Manila and the beginning of his classes
* * *
[Manila]
MRS. TEODORA ALONSO
MY VERY DEAR MOTHER,
Yesterday at 3:10 I arrived at Manila safely and in the finest weather.
I found my brother-in-law Antonino and Dandoy at the house of his sister and they asked me about you there.
My classes are beginning. I expect to ask for a few days of vacation to spend them with you there, the only place where I’m happy.
Nothing more, affectionate regards to my good brothers and friends as well as to my loving sisters and may you and my father bless me.
Your son who loves you dearly,
RIZAL.
Uncle Antonio sends you regards.
01-019 [Family]
1880.07.30 Calamba
From: Paciano Rizal
To: José Rizal
Paciano inquires news about Jesuit predictions of a flood – A reptile for the Jesuit Fathers
* * *
Calamba, 30 July 1880
DEAR BROTHER,
A message from the Observatory has been received at this station predicting a flood. Find out from the Jesuit Fathers about the truth of this and in case it is true, you ought to come home at once because by then you will not be able to get out of there. Moreover this is the wish of our elders.
On Monday I shall send you all the things that you ask in your letter by special delivery of Capitán Juan who will bring a very unique reptile that he is presenting to the museum of the Jesuit Fathers.
Though Dámaso was opposed to the payment that ought to be made to your uncle Ramón, as I told you in my previous letter, now he has more conciliatory attitude, perhaps in order to avoid lawsuits.
Your brother,
PACIANO
04-020 [Misc.]
1881.01.02 Manila
From: Leonor Rivera
To: Jose Rizal
She explains why she has not written Rizal — She is happy to receive his letters.
* * *
Manila, 2 January 1881
ESTEEMED FRIEND,
I received your letter dated 30 of last Month and I am informed of its contents.
If I have not answered your letters it was not because I am bored corresponding with you. In fact twice I wrote replies, but on the day I did so nobody came to visit me at the college, so I destroyed them, and besides I was already embarrassed.
I am doubtful if the letter is yours because the signature is different. Perhaps you have put another name, fearing that I might despise it and if I despise it, it will not be your name that will be despised but somebody else’s. If that is what you think, you are mistaken for you do not know how glad I am when I receive one of your dear letters; but you did well in putting another name in case, as you say, it may fall into the hands of strangers.
Command your servant who kisses your hand,
Taimis
04-021 [Misc.]
1881.05.25 Manila
From: Cabrera, Banson, and Lasam
To: Jose Rizal
Rizal’s friends are waiting for him – They use the names of The Three Musketeers, Dumas’ celebrated novel.
* * *
Manila, 25 May 1881
MR. JOSE RIZAL
FRIEND RIZAL,
Aramis and Athos with all their families are already here; they came on the 23rd instant, but they are sad for not seeing their chief, Treville. We should like therefore that upon receiving this, if your pursuits permit you, you please come, so that our sadness may be converted into joy. Moreover, all are anxious to see you, especially the musketeers and your Aunt Betang.
Your very affectionate friends,
FELICIANO CABRERA
LEONCIO BANSON
H. LANSAM
Kind regards of your Aunt Concha and your cousin Leonor for all of you and a kiss and an embrace for you.
01-022 [Family]
1881.12.28 Manila
From: Leonor Rivera
To: Jose Rizal
She chides Rizal for not writing her.
* * *
Manila, 28 December 1881
ESTEEMED JOSE,
I would be glad if on the receipt of this you are in good health and happy.
I was very much surprised that you had a letter for Papa and none for me; but at first, when they told me about it, I did not believe it, because I did not expect that a person like you would do such a thing. But later I was convinced that you are like a newly opened rose, very flushed and fragrant at the beginning, but afterwards it begins to wither. Before, however, when I did not write you, you wrote me, but now no more. It seems that you have imitated my example when I went to Antipolo and you have done wrong because I was not at my own house, and besides you know very well that you cannot hide anything from those girls. I could very well write to Papa, but in order that you might not say anything, I did not, though Mama had ordered me to do so. You cannot have these pretexts because you are at your home and nobody meddles with you. Truly I tell you that I am very resentful for what you have done and for another thing that I will tell you later when you come.
Excuse the writing and all the mistakes you find in it. Command at your pleasure your true servant who kisses your hand,
TAIMIS
04-023 [Misc.]
1881 Manila
From: José Rizal
To: Paciano Rizal
Rizal is headed back to Calamba as a newly licensed land surveyor
* * *
Manila, 1881
MR. PACIANO MERCADO
(Calamba)
MY DEAR BROTHER,
The survey which I have to make is as unreliable and informal as so many are said and thought to be. At any rate I’ll go there to spend two days.
I have my license signed by the Office of Forest Inspection.
Your brother,
J. Rizal