Memoirs of a Student in Manila

Chapter 7: From January to December 1878

The short vacation ended without any important happenings.  On the 6^th of January I took leave of my parents and returned to Manila, my second hometown.

The old house on Magallanes Street received again the guest who since childhood had taken shelter in its shelter in its shadow.  An indefinable malaise and sadness like remorse took hold of my heart.  I spent the night in vague, most melancholy reflections.  It dawned.  I sat down on my chaise lounge and I almost cried on remembering my family and my old friends.  My roommate found me praying.

The days of January, February, and March passed almost without any incident.  I was waiting only for some news from her.  During these months I had the discussion of Metaphysics, that is, I maintained most intricate, vyingly complicated questions in Latin.  I came out very middling for I had not prepared as I should.  I took the examination in Metaphysics in March and I obtained the grace of excellent.  I had the same success in the examinations in topography, winning two medals in this and in agriculture.  My mother had given me for expenses that month something like  15.00 I bought a little tortoise-shell box and presented it to my professor of drawing. (33) And not having anything more to do, I went home to spend the long vacation.

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(01)     Don Augstine Saez, eminent painter in Manila.