Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1886 (January to June)

  Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers: January to June of 1886

018. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 2 January 1886

The traditional banquet of the Filipinos was held on 31 December at Madrid -- Rizal’s absence was noted -- His letter of adhesion was read -- In every speech of the Filipinos there was a toast dedicated to the absent Rizal -- The speeches of Llorente, Lete, López Jaena, and Evaristo Aguirre were very good.

Madrid, 2 January 1886

Mr. José Rizal

[Paris]

Dear Pepe,

       I received your letter of the 27^th of last month opportunely on the last day of the year.  It was read at the banquet and you were wildly greeted with emotion and enthusiasm.  I was in charge of reading your letter of adhesion, which I did after the first toast.  Eighteen countrymen and friends gathered together that night, all and almost the majority of them being our acquaintances and old comrades.  The banquet was presided over by a Filipino, a retired colonel called Abreu -- I do not know if you know him -- and then everyone took his place: Devesa, Figueroa, Perio, Acevedo, Tiangco, Rivera Cortés, Esteban, Cajigas, (Chinese), Lete, and “Gladstone”. Almost all toasted: Lete, Llorente, Graciano, Acevedo, and others.  They noted the void left by the absent ones as well as of others at Madrid who failed to attend.  In short, it was a success; even the menu was plentiful and well chosen.  We left the dining hall at 2:15 and each one went his way.  All in all, the traditional custom was followed.

       I am informed of the content of your other letter and I am sorry that you have not received letters.  Mino has not paid me back what I advanced for him.  According to him, you have taken 23 pesetas from Pedro and he wants to deduct the amount.  If you are in great need, write me and I am going to look for money, or else I will pawn again at the Palacio [1] the ring I redeemed when I received a little money.

       All the Insic were all very happy about your letter, which they said was good and as if you were here.  All those who toasted did not fail to remember you and we did regret that you were not with us.

       Mr. Calixto is here.  I am going to send you the book by the first mail.  I have not sent it because I thought that Mr. Calixto was going there.  The fashion magazine [2] has no address.  Let me know so that I can put it in the mail.

       I thank you for having remembered the verse.  I am going to buy the camera when I go there later.

       The speeches of Llorente, Lete, Graciano, and Aguirre were very good.

       Regards to all of you there, to Luna, Ventura, and others, and I wish you to become a good oculist and likewise to . . . . you know already.

Ever yours,

Ceferino

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(1)         [1] Name of a pawnshop at Madrid.

(2)         [2] The fashion magazine was for Leonor Rivera, sent by Rizal.

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XXXX019.  Ceferino de León, Madrid, 2 March 1886

He deplores the lack of fellowship among the Filipinos since Rizal left -- Calls the German students’ duel “semi-barbaric” -- A painting -- Spoliarium -- By Juan Luna bought by the government of Barcelona.

Madrid, 2 March 1886

Mr. José Rizal

[Heidelberg]

Dear Pepe,

       I received your letter and I am informed of its content.

I have read it several times and also showed it to several countrymen, all being glad that you are well in that place, your new temporary country.

       Here nothing has happened.  We see each other rarely, so that you can imagine our reserved attitude.  Everyone stays to himself since you left.  Nowhere and in no gathering can be seen a large group of Chinese.  It seems that a violent storm of egoism has broken the bond of harmony that formerly united our fellow countrymen. Now there are no more friendly coteries that gather anywhere for the exchange of impressions.  Now, should there be some partial groups, there are centers of unjust murmurings, for hurling complaints against one another and consequently they only serve to dampen good fellowship.

       Any one would say that something is wanting in the colony to bring it back to a healthy condition.  In this regard I can assure you that the malady began when you left.  As you live in that country apart from your countrymen, I would not want anything to happen to you.  As you portray the German students as bellicose on one hand and on the other good and amiable and as their favorite sport is the duel with offensive weapons from which they come out with scars on their faces, frankly I would not want to see you one day with the traces of those semi-barbaric sports as you describe to me in your letter.

"The Spoliarium" by Juan Luna

       In case you have not been informed, I tell you that Luna’s painting [1] has been bought by the Barcelona government for 20,000 pesetas, information that the newspapers published.

       In real life nothing occurs.  Only changes in the status of our countrymen are recorded: Yance (captain) and Devesa got married last week.  The first one married an Andalucian and the other a Madrid woman.  The latter left immediately for Barcelona towards the end of the last month to embark for Manila about the beginning of the present month.  Oh, honeymoon in the middle of the sea!

       Write me what is the remedy for one who before menstruation faints and remains unconscious for an hour.

       The landlady until now treats me well and the food is good.

       If I shall have money in April, I will send you some.

       Acevedo and Rivera have a house of their own and they say you have forgotten Acevedo.  Farewell.

Yours,

Ceferino

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(1)         [1] Luna’s painting, Spoliarium, obtained first prize at the Madrid Exposition of 1884.

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020. Pablo Ortiga y Rey, [1] Madrid, 2 March 1886

Two letters from Rizal at Paris and Heidelberg -- Paintings of Luna and Hidalgo -- Spoliarium -- Germany, the country of fantastic tales and traditions.

Madrid, 2 March 1886

Mr. José Rizal

Heidelberg, Germany

My esteemed Friend,

       I received first your letter of 26 of January written in Paris, but as you said init that you were leaving for Germany and would write me again from your new residence, I did not answer it then until I knew definitely where to address my letters.  Complying with your promise you wrote me from Heidelberg on 22^nd of last February, and I have the greatest pleasure to acknowledge receipt of both letters, thanking you most sincerely for your attention and remembrance.

       In the first, among other things, you told me that Ventura was going to the Philippines on the 14 February, though with the purpose of returning in September or October; that Luna was finishing the Blood Compact and drawing the Battle of Lepanto; and that Hidalgo would exhibit a painting at the Rue de la Paix and was finishing Les Captives to be exhibited in the salon.

       With respect to the first, I shall be very glad to see him back here, for Ventura is a person I appreciate very much.  With regard to our painters, great will be my satisfaction if they attain great honor and much benefit, as I wish, raising even higher the glory of the Philippines and consequently that of Spain in reference to pictorial art.  I suppose that you already know that the Provincial Delegation of Barcelona has acquired the celebrated Spoliarium.  I do not know for certain at what price Luna sold it, but whatever it is, I have the satisfaction to know that so renowned a painting will remain in Spain and will not end in a foreign country.

       In the second letter you give me information about that city about which I know only from what is learned in books which, as a general rule, is always far from what is seen on the spot with the eyes.  The old woman of the castle and two barrels that you tell me about have attracted my attention.  The first because in that country of fantastic tales and traditions undoubtedly she will resemble, by the picture you draw of her, the spirit of the ruins or shadow of the castle, according to your own description.  The second, or rather the barrels, by their sizes and capacity, in order to hold 236,000 bottles, it is necessary that they be as large as a real dancing hall.  Undoubtedly Germany is a country of barrels.

       Can you stand as well as you say the snow that is everywhere?  Here we are having a fairly tolerable winter, for until now we have had few days of excessive cold.

       Wishing that you advance greatly in . . . and above all may you keep in good health and with the affectionate regards of Rafaél and Consuelo, [2] you know that you are truly esteemed by your very affectionate friend,

Pablo Ortiga y Rey

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(1)         [1] Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a Spaniard, who was for sometime president of the Consejo de Filipinas, an advisory council to the Madrid government.  He was friendly towards the Filipinos who frequented his home.

(2)         [2] Son and daughter respectively of Pablo Ortiga y Rey.

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021 Ceferino de León, Madrid, 28 May 1886

Rizal’s ring is still at the pawnshop, Palacio -- Ceferino de León plans to visit Paris.

Madrid, 28 May 1886

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Pepe,

       I read your urgent letter with the greatest pleasure and it made me very happy to know that you are well and in good health.

       I no longer remember if I have given you my new address.  I believe that I indicted in my last letter my transfer to this house where Antonio and our late countryman Manalo had lived and lately Cortez also, who not so long ago left for Valencia to take the examination.

       I am informed of your request to send you the ring in a sealed and registered letter, the only way it can reach you.  That is all right and I would have done it at once with pleasure if it were in my possession at present, but with my regret it has been at the Palacio for two months now.  I was obliged to pawn it to get out of a difficulty when in the past months I did not have a cent.  You know already the things that happen in life.  However, I have hopes to being able to redeem it next month as I am waiting for a sum of money my family will send me for my traveling expenses abroad this summer.

       As there is no danger that it will be lost and considering the short time that remains before my forth coming trip to Paris this summer, I should like you to let me keep it until I go there.  Then if you do not want me to buy it from you, without failure I shall send it to you through the safest way.

       I do not know if you remember the amount you owed me; I believe, if I’m not mistaken, it was 37 plus two or three duros that I advanced, besides the five duros that Mino deducted.  In addition, I perhaps add the fee of the pawnshop.  On the other hand, you sent me 50 from Barcelona.  With this you can make the computation.

       God willing and having no obstacle whatever, it is possible that about the middle of next July I shall go to Paris, and I will write you before undertaking the trip.  You may be sure of this, as I have promised my family to see Paris this summer.

       Neither is Acevedo here.  He went to León to see his relatives and it is more than half a month ago that he left this place.  I will put your letter inside mine as soon as I write him.

       We are all well.  Now we see each other less than ever and withal there is no change in the colony.  One has just arrived, a fellow townsman of Jugo, by the way.  Another, recently arrived from London, one Yanco, [1] I have not met him yet Jugo will marry very soon to confirm his union with his wife in the church.

Ever yours,

Ceferino

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[1] Luis Yangco, later called Capitán, a wealthy Filipino businessman.

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022 Felipe Zamora, Madrid, May 1886

Dr. Zamora advises Rizal’s parents not to let him return to the Philippines -- With his vast knowledge he would be mistrusted -- If he insists oncoming home, he should first change his nationality.

Manila, May 1886

Mr. José Rizal y Mercado

Paris

My distinguished Friend and Comrade,

       Taking advantage of the departure for that country of our mutual friend Mr. Valentín Ventura, I inform you that towards the end of the month of July of 1884, I was called to Calamba to see a patient, and calling at your house, I spoke to your dear parents about the progress you have made in medicine and philology [linguistics].  Talking about whether or not you should be made to return to this country after the conclusion of your studies, I advised them not to make you do so, even if they have to make a little sacrifice, for with the encyclopedic knowledge that you have acquired in Europe, you should be looked upon here with much caution and you would be exposed to numerous displeasures.  If someday you would find it necessary to return to this country, I would advise you not to do it until after you have changed your nationality, and if it were possible, you choose German, English, or North American in order to avoid the outrages to which all the “Israelites” are exposed here.

       I do not tell you about the numerous happenings I have witnessed here since my return, because perhaps you are already informed of them through the newspapers there, and if you want more details, you can ask our Mr. Valentín Ventura.

       I am your very affectionate friend and comrade who loves you sincerely.

Felipe Zamora