04-034 [Misc.]
1882.07.11 Manila
From: Fr. Leoncio Lopez
To: Jose Rizal
Wishes Rizal success in his studies – More on the fiesta of Kalamba – Cholera ravages Manila – Closing of the schools.
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Kalamba, 25 August 1882
MR. JOSE RIZAL
MY DISTINGUISHF.D FRIEND,
I received your letter and I thank you infinitely for the affectionate sentiments and benevolence that you dedicate to me. I must tell you that your sudden departure surprised me and at the same time caused me anguish and dejection, but it did not take me long to console myself by thinking that you have realized your beautiful dream. May God will that your ardent enthusiasm for the sciences, literature, and fine arts produce the desired result, and if possible within a short time, so that before I leave this vale of tears, I can give you in person my congratulation with my soul bursting with joy and clasp your hand affectionately.
In accordance with your request I went to your house, I spoke to your parents, your brother, and sisters, and I saw copious tears running down their cheeks. However, 1 have the pleasure to tell you that, without my doing anything, I have found them all agreed and resigned.
Over here we have had thirty-five days of squalls with gusts of wind of hurricane strength that caused no little damage to the plantations.
Despite the bad weather, the town fiesta was most animated on account of the numerous people who attended it. There was a play, there were five music bands, magnificent fireworks, and other things.
Fifteen days after the fiesta your sister Olimpia went to Bulacan to live with her husband who is in charge of the telegraph office of that town.
I’m not going to stop here to tell you about the magnificent festival held on the occasion of the inauguration of the Carriedo water system in the capital because first you will read it described in great detail in the Diario de Manila, La Oceania, and other Manila newspapers; and secondly because it does not seem to me the proper time to speak of fiestas in these critical and discouraging times.
The dreaded cholera is raging in the walled city and its districts and though all the local newspapers try through a thousand means to extenuate its ravages in order to raise the morale of the people, its victims are so many that the governor general has been obliged to issue a decree declaring the port of Manila filthy. Persons who have just come from the city tell me that every day an average of 50 persons die of it.
May God have mercy on us and remove from these Islands this terrible calamity.
As a precautionary measure all educational institutions are closed and all the college including the Seminary are vacated.
Your nephews Emilio, Angelica, and Antonio join their parents in their daily prayers to God and the Virgin so that they may help you achieve your laudable aspirations and shower uncessingly on your soul their most valuable blessings. Your little niece Isabel does not know yet how to talk, but taught by her parents, she now begins to babble the name of her absent uncle.
That you may be completely satisfied is the wish of your attentive servant and devoted friend who kisses your hand,
LEONCIO LOPEZ