01-070 [Family]
1883.01.29 Madrid
From: José Rizal
To: Saturnina Rizal
Water treatment for infant’s not always advisable — Grateful for gifts — Asks for the names of acquaintances and friends who have died of the plague and beriberi — Comments on sisters’ activities now that he is absent — Italian is sweet — Reasons for declining Christmas gift.
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Madrid, 29 January 1883
MRS. SATURNINA RIZAL
MY BELOVED SISTER:
I received your letter of 14 December and I thank you for it and the enclosure.
I’m still waiting for the picture of Freding (this nickname sounds German or English and I’m hoping I would see him still a baby).
I fear greatly that this letter would not find alive José the son of Marianito, because you said that his feet and hand were already cold. I presume that water should not always be used in the treatment of infants and those who know say so also; for really, if we apply a strong medicine to a young life, which is like a light that has just begun to flare, it will so weaken the patient that what is intended as remedy might only lead to the grave. We also use water often but only in cases where the patients are older, in treatment of women’s diseases and others, and the treatment is not too prolonged. The death that results from water-cure is not far from death caused by cold which is not obvious and painful but slow, like a candle burning.
May God save him and the water heal and not drown him. May my fear be merely a dream.
I thank you for the gift of a ring, handkerchiefs, and sandals. Don’t expect any in return just now.
Please send me a list of friends and acquaintances who have died of the pest and beriberi.
I read in your letter that you are residing in the south because the house has been bought by Compadre Andres. Which house in the south?
Remind Ursula and Victoria of the saying, of what use is forage if the horse is already dead? Even if they sang in church last Christmas, I regret that they thought of doing it when I was no longer there. I should like to thank them but not for this. Sweeter to my memory was the past when she could be urged to sing and play the harp. The name given by Father Ingo (Boema, Traford) is something I did not expect from such a priest. It is either too much or too little.
Also I praised Loleng’s new industry; it is different from her former industry. Only I cannot understand why when I was there and we used to play revesino [card game] she did not think of making bibingka [rice cake]. I have received conflicting news, but one stands out, unchanging. I thought that her most becoming dress is blue and gold stripes. Please tell her this.
I’m studying Italian and I can speak now a little. It is so very sweet that one is obliged to sing the words. When I go home, I’m going to teach it to Icang so that her tongue would become a little soft. If you only know it, we can correspond in it, instead of Tagalog, which is very difficult to write. Besides I’m a slow writer in Tagalog; I’m forgetting it; and my Tagalog is being spoiled by the pathetic way my companions speak it. I forget my Florante[1] in Barcelona, there is no one around with whom I can speak it properly. I read your letter again and again. I’m tired of the Spanish language.
I’m very, very grateful to Tonino and Sra. Sisa for money they sent me. However, if I’m to be believed as I wish to be believed now, I beg you not to send me any more money. The source of this money is good but the effect saddening. My other siblings who cannot send me money will be sorry because of their inability to do so. And if they would also send me, following the example of the others I cannot accept it, except with a regret, knowing that it has meant a great sacrifice for them. I don’t know if they can understand what I’m trying to say or if I say it correctly; please try to explain it. Another thing is that for me even a little suffices. Why should they retrench to give me money? If I need money, I’m going to ask for it. Between us siblings, it is unnecessary to express our desires; we understand one another.
Ordinarily, not all good desires generally produce sweet fruits. Your affection is enough for me. Take good care of yourselves so that we may meet again, like olden days when we used to go out fishing, to take a bath in Pansol[2] and Prinsa, go on a stroll, drink tuba,[3] or visit Mainit. I don’t know why all these things come back to my mind. I’m also very, very careful as I don’t wish to cause our father and mother any anxiety. Yesterday when I was returning from the barber shop I was accosted by a man who tried to rob me. All I did was wave him away, pushing him. In former days, I cannot say what I would have done, especially as I was carrying a cane.
Kiss for me the hands of father and mother and embrace our brothers for me. A kiss for Millong (if he is no longer cross-eyed), Icang, Toño, Delfina, Chabeng, José and Freding. Handsome lad or European eyes?
Regards to our relatives and to all the young ladies I know, especially to Loleng, Sula, and others, to Dandov, the Curate, Father Ingó, Ate Colasa, Coya Sinforoso.
This is all and your brother embraces you.
RIZAL
[1] Florante at Laura, a story in Tagalog verse by the celebrated tagalog poet
Francisco Baltazar (1788 – 1862), or Balagtas, who, according to Rizal, “was as good a poet as a thinker.” (Noli me tángere, Berlin, 1887, p. 149)
[2] Near Calamba where there is a spring noted for its medicinal waters, and a popular picnicking place.
[3] A beverage made from the sap of palms, like the coconut palm, generally.