01-065 [Family]
1883.01.17 Madrid
From: José Rizal
To: Silvestre Ubaldo
Remarks on the great distance separating them – While in staying in Madrid, Rizal will try to help his brother-in-law-Ubaldo get transferred, but would prefer that the latter devoted himself to farming.
* * *
Madrid, 17 January 1883
MR. SILVESTRE UBALDO[1]
MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,
I received your letter of 23 December and I’m informed of its content. I thank you for your perseverance in writing me, but I wish you to know that I’ve already answered your two letters, which I appreciate very much. I guess you have not yet received my reply on account of the great distance separating us.
I regret exceedingly your inability to return to our town so that all of you can be together, which is one of my wishes. That is the disadvantage of being in the king’s service.
I’m gladdened by your news that Sra. Ipia went home to Calamba, about Christmas bearing my best wishes of the season.
I’m not going to tell you anymore about the various things that have happened to me because I have already related them in my letters home. In case you go home, you may ask for them
I’ll see if I can do something for you at the ministry, but my acquaintances are still few. If you didn’t expect much from the post you hold, I believe it be much better if you devote yourself to farming. However, it is a pity to give up a thing that ought to bring you honor.
It’s good that I’ve nothing more to wish with regard to my present situation as well as my health; that is also what I wish you and your wife. Give my regards to brothers, Sra. Ipia, who turned out to be stout as I believed. Tell her to stop wriggling.
This is all.
J. RIZAL
[1] Husband of his sister Olimpia (Sra. Ipia). He was then an employee in the government general office of communications (Inspecion General de Comunicaciones), being stationed in Bulacan, He asks Rizal to work for his transfer to Calamba.