The Diary of Jose Rizal in Madrid, 1 January to November 1884

2. MADRID

1 JANUARY 1883 - NOVEMBER 1884

1st January 1883

Night, I don't know what vague melancholy, an indefinable loneliness, smothers my soul. It is similar to the profound sadness that cities manifest after a tumultuous rejoicing, to a city after the happiest celebration. Two nights ago, that is, 30 December, I had a frightful nightmare when I almost died. [01] I dreamed that, imitating an actor dying on the stage, I felt vividly that my breath was failing and I was rapidly losing my strength. Then my vision became dim and dense darkness enveloped me -- they were the pangs of death. I wanted to shout and ask for help from Antonio Paterno, feeling that I was about to die. I awoke weak and breathless.

The last day of the year I spent at the home of Mr. Pablo Ortiga. [02] I was gay; I don't know why I joked a lot and lost. [03] We went home at five o'clock and Pat., Cal., Per., and Let. [04] slept at home. We spent the day together and went to Elvira's house...lottery and I lost. I went home at night and wrote.

2 May 1883 – Visitación 8 – 3^rd floor, No. 4

Yesterday, one year ago I left my home to come to this country. How many illusions one entertained and how many deceptions! Yesterday, all day and night, I kept recalling all that had happened to me since then. I took my diary and read it, which reminded me of faded impressions. Though sick, I'll continue my diary because I see that it is most useful and above all it consoles the soul when nothing more remains of its former treasures.

This morning I went to see the celebration of Dos de Mayo (2nd May) [05]. There were many people around the obelisk where I saw a tiny altar with some candles. Everywhere could be heard the cries of newspaper vendors which recalled the 2nd of May.

In the afternoon we -- Zamora, Villanueva, and I -- went to see the civic procession. Many soldiers and members of the different corporations. The King does not attend this national celebration.

I received from the Philippines a letter of L.R. [06] of 26 March.

3 May

It is exactly one year ago that I left my country! Should I curse or celebrate this day?

1 January 1884 [07]

I have a nominal value of 617.15 pesetas.

Last night we gathered at the Restaurant de Madrid: The three Paternos, the two Esquivels, Figueroa, Villanueva, Jugo, Graciano (Lopez Jaena), J. Llorente, Ev. Aguirre, Laserna, Lete, Ventura, Yriarte, Vidal, and I. All toasted except Villanueva, who left ahead. The most outstanding toasts were those of Laserna, A. Paterno, Graciano Lopez, P. Paterno, and Valentin. I had the honor of bidding goodbye to '83 and greeting '84. I didn't toast, but after them, I made a resumé of such brilliant speeches. Laserna read a precious sonnet. We dined at 12:15 and we finished at 3:00. The day passed without almost any incident. At night Lete went to the house of E.P. where Villanueva and Figueroa spent the day. I'm reading at present Bug-Jargal [08]. On Lobo Street there was a discussion about the police; I decided not to argue.

2 January

Today there was a meeting at the house of the Paternos. The same ones who were at the Cafe de Madrid, except Iriarte, Villanueva, and Vidal, met there. They took up the revival of the Circulo. They named a committee to speak with the old members and Mr. Atayde. The committee was composed of Messrs. Paterno, Lopez, Laserna, J. Esquivel, and Aguirre. My proposal concerning the book was unanimously accepted; but afterwards they offered me difficulties and obstacles that seemed to me somewhat singular following which several gentlemen rose up without wishing to talk any more about it. In view of this, I decided not to propose it again, considering it impossible to count on the support of the majority, and only later, together with Messrs. Lete and Figueroa did we decide to go ahead. For this purpose, we shall write Messrs. Luna, Resurreccion, and Regidor.

3 January

This morning I went to the College of San Carlos [09] and they told me that we would have no class until the 7th. In Greek there was since yesterday. I went to the Academy of San Fernando [10] and there they gave me new lessons. This morning we gathered at the Cafe de Madrid, announced on a card that Graciano passed on to me. They spoke about the Circulo, the pretensions of some, etc. As to the book, Graciano would write on the Filipino woman; Aguirre also; Maximino on Letamendi. It seems that the Circulo will not fare well.

4 January

Subscription to various works -- Pesetas 7.

I received some letters from Manila from Uncle Antonio and...the first dated 18 November, and the second, the 13. Both are full of good and interesting news.

For the barbershop and streetcar with the cursed Christmas present -- Pesetas 1.10.

Violent discussion on Lobo Street about the ticket hawkers. I decided not to take part in the discussion and so I didn't. Padri ce burvemdi cili pese qua ta hefem psarodamla. Tola rojua eum amenisedi da Vimruati: vsai qua damlsi da pivi ta enese' ye namir. [11]

5 January (Saturday)

Los Cuatro Reynos de la Naturaleza, subscription -- Pesetas 14.20

Gathered at the house of the Paternos were [Evaristo] Aguirre, the two Esquivels, Creus, [Simplicio] Jugo [Vidal], Carrillo, J[ulio] Llorente, Ruiz, [Mariano] Ponce, [Valentin] Ventura, [Eduardo de] Lete, Graciano [Lopez Jaena], Perio, [Manuel de] Iriarte, Villabrille, Lopez, and I. The reorganization of the Circulo was taken up and nothing was done except to form committees. It was agreed to meet again on Sunday. In the evening we were at the house of E. P. Sanmarti—Figueroa, Perio, Estevan, Lete, and I. I talked for sometime with Consuelo after I got tired of attending the general meeting. Chocolate: Pedro invited us. We went home at 2:30.

6 January

Wandering Jew -- Pesetas 10.00

Works of Horace, Dumas -- Pesetas 2.50

Supper with a friend -- Pesetas 32.00

I went to the house of [Valentin] Ventura to get Florante [12]. I bought several books and in the evening Valentin and I went to the Restaurant Ingles to sup or rather to dine. We were served quite well and we left the place quite satisfied. This afternoon Graciano (L. Jaena) was here.

7 January

There's nothing remarkable today except the sermon delivered to us by the professor of Greek on account of the insubordination of the student.

8 January

Classes in Greek, landscape, figure, and perspective. I finished two drawings. I have spent nothing. [13] A gentleman wanted to have conferences with me. L... begins to go to class and to be punctual in his appointments. I met Ruiz [14] who told me that if someone came along willing to pay the expenses of the Circulo, he would be made president.

9 January

Without spending a cent. Greek classes. I have finished my landscape as well as my drawing of a figure. I was going to buy an historical atlas by Lesage but it was so badly damaged that it was valueless.

10 January

I received two letters -- one from Uncle Antonio [Rivera] [15], 2 December and another from P., 30 November. Te vesse da Taimis ar vesoñire y vim um gomet da tir ner efsedebtar. [16]

11 January

The day passed without any incident except the call of [Evaristo] Aguirre and Antonio [Paterno] and my meeting with the distributor. I went to class and there I found Pereda.

12 January

Bath -- Pesetas 2.00

Teatro de la Comedia -- Pesetas 2.10

A dish -- Pesetas .50

A newspaper and refreshment -- Pesetas .35

To [Melecio] Figueroa for E.P. -- Pesetas 1.00

I was at the theater and I enjoyed very much El Octavo no mentir and Un año más. I didn't go to the house of Mr. Pablo Ortiga y Rey. The professor of Medical Clinic entrusted to me a patient at No. 10.

13 January (Sunday)

This afternoon we met at the house of Paterno—Lopez, the Llorentes [17], [Evaristo] Aguirre [18], [Valentin] Ventura, two Esquiveles, [Manuel Alveyra] Iriarte, [Raymundo] Perio, [Eduardo de] Lete, [Jose] Carrillo Abreu, Pozas, [Elueterio] Ruiz, Laserna, Graciano [Lopez Jaena], Domenech, [Pedro de] Govantes [19], and I. The question of the Circulo was impossible for a thousand reasons. Te neyis perla hebtem nuohi pasi am Isetemdira da des doma si ye ra moefem. [20]

15 January (Tuesday)

There is a feast today at the house of Mr. Pablo Ortiga y Rey in celebration of his birthday. We couldn't give him anything.

One penknife -- Pesetas 0.30

To Perio -- Pesetas 2.00

They danced very much in that house. There were Sanmarti, the Paternos [Pedro, Maximino, and Antonio], the Esquiveles, [Valentin] Ventura, etc., [Melecio] Figueroa, [Esteban] Villanueva, and P. The last got drunk and I was about to leave but I was stopped. They talked of politics and the Philippines.

16 January

Postage stamps -- Pesetas 1.30

Penknife -- Pesetas 1.50

The mail boat left this afternoon. This morning I went to class. My patient who is at No. 10 stood up and thanked me. I didn't go either to the class in landscape or perspective. In the class in antique we have a new mold.

A ball of yarn -- Pesetas 0.50

[Julio] Llorente invited me to go to the Congress at noon sharp. In order not to be late I had to forego luncheon, and provided with tickets for the gallery of the senators [21] we went there at 12 o'clock and some minutes. We took turns. [Eduardo de] Lete and [Graciano] Lopez went in without being able to wait and it was only at six o'clock that we entered.

[Práxedes Mateo] Sagasta was speaking at the time. I recognized him through his caricatures. He was nervous. [José] Posada Herrera answered him making the Chamber laugh and rage. Then [José] López Domínguez spoke energetically. They voted on the message and the majority defeated the Government. Student riot.

18 January

Yesterday, as a result of a decree of the Minister of Fomento, the law students went to the Ministry of Fomento and there shouted "Down!" and they burnt copies of the gazette. Afterwards the medical students joined them. [22] They were dispersed later by Civil Governor Aguilera. The classes were closed and no one was allowed to enter. Today the Conservatives rose to power contrary to all expectations and suppositions. Their rise to power generally produced a bad impression.

19 January

The students' vacation continues. Neither are there classes at San Carlos. Sanmarti, [Eduardo de] Lete, [Melecio] Figueroa, [Esteban] Villanueva, and I were at Mr. Ortiga y Rey's house. The evening was not bad for me because some gentlemen who owed me paid me, though I had a hard time collecting.

Money received [23] -- Pesetas 3.55

20 January

One-tenth of a lottery ticket [24] -- Pesetas 3.00

I sent to C.O.(a young lady) [25] a piece of guimaras [26]. Valentin [Ventura] was here this afternoon and we talked about our impressions. Rafael came later.

21 January

I went to class. The law students refuse to enter while the decrees were not revoked. [Eduardo de] Lete came to thank me on behalf of C.O. At night Estevan [Villanueva] was here; we talked of various... Pelasmitahearptilediomdofmenamla. Tahepsinalodipefesrurdauderpedsehevastalsecejesdarpuarmihequasodipefesmede. [27] Paterno gave a treat or supper to the press. Valentin Ventura attended it.

22 January

Laundry woman -- Pesetas 3.00

Domestic postage stamp -- Pesetas .10

23 January

Several buildings were illuminated. At the Casino Madrileno [28] a most beautiful light in the form of a shield. I visited the artists Estevan [Villanueva] and Melecio Figueroa. We talked about what the newspapers said about Paterno's treat and we criticized the Correo. [29] From there I visited the Paternos. I found Antonio and Maximino who were reading with pleasure El Correo and praising it highly. They showed me their house. [30] Pedro came later and he proposed to me that I exhibit the pictures I have. I could not agree because they were given to me and they have dedications. [31]

24 January

Valentin Ventura came to see me. We talked about the usual subjects. Today the law students went to class.

25 January

Tonight I had a very sad dream. I imagined I returned to the Philippines, but what a sad reception! My parents didn't show up and Taimisheboerodiomgoatpasidaumeomgodatodedlemfsemdequamilamoesanadoi. [32]

Today I finished reading the Judio Errante (Wandering Jew). [This novel is one of those which have struck me as the most consciously contrived, unique children of talent and premeditation. It does not speak to the heart like the sweet language of (Alphonse Marie Louis de) Lamartine. It imposes itself, dominates, confounds, and subjugates, but does not make (me) weep. I don't know if the reason for this is that I have become hardened.] [33] It reminds me a great deal of the Mohicans of Paris ([Alexandre] Dumas).

26 January

Fr. Rivas has died. [34]

Debts paid by a friend -- Peseta 1.00

We went to the house of the Etermes. [35] [Melecio] Figueroa, Estevan [Villanueva], Sanmarti, [Eduardo de] Lete, Rafael, and I. This meeting was the most peaceful. On our return we went to the chocolate shop. We went home at 3:30. Vimruatinahero dinuyenebta. [36]

27 January

Today I had my picture taken at Otero.

Half dozen postcard[s] with cover -- Pesetas 10.00

One-tenth of lottery ticket -- Pesetas 3.00

A box of matches -- Pesetas 0.10

The day is bad and rainy. The streets are puddled. Maximino and Antonio came to the house so that we could go together to see the Ateneo [de Madrid] [37]; it was not possible because it was not permitted. Burveverepeseheboles pasiquoasambeseli; igsavonohebolevoim. [38]

28 January

Today I have been to the Ateneo to see it. It's beautiful, vast, extensive, well decorated. I went with Antonio and Maximino (Paterno). They are tempting me to belong to it, but I find the dues a little exorbitant for the short time that I have to be in Madrid. This morning I met a young woman at the street door of a nearby house. She was quite pretty. This evening when I came back looking for a room for a friend, I met her again without much ado.

29 January (Tuesday)

Candles (one pound, 6) -- Pesetas 1.25

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 3.00

Tickets for the dance -- Pesetas 1.00

Coffee, refreshments and tip (Nightwatcher) -- Pesetas 1.70

Today I was at the masquerade ball which I enjoyed fairly well. I danced almost all the numbers. Two masked persons were joking me; however much I tried to find out who they were I didn't succeed.

30 January

For review for the degree -- Pesetas 30.00

Postage stamps for letters and periodicals -- Pesetas 2.80

A handkerchief -- Pesetas .45

Streetcar -- Pesetas .10

I sent three letters to my town: One to my Uncle Antonio [Rivera], another to Chengoy [39], and another to Lolay. I sent also three periodicals: El Imparcial, El Dia, and El Liberal.

Excelsior Ball -- Pesetas 2.90

31 January

One book ([José] Ortega Munilla) -- Pesetas 1.00

Arte de estudiar -- Pesetas 2.50

Today there was a very heated discussion on Lobo Street. [Santiago Gonzalez] Encinas [40] came for the first time.

Money spent -- Pesetas 257.88

Food for this month -- Pesetas 71.75

Total -- Pesetas 329.63

This expense, which for me is large, is due to the review, the mat, and the dinner which I gave. The books I bought also contributed to it.

1 February (Friday)

Bible -- Pesetas 14.00

Three note-books -- Pesetas 1.50

Beer -- Pesetas 1.70

Theater -- Pesetas .75

Subscription to El Liberal -- Pesetas 1.00

I was at the Eslava Theater [41] to see politics and bull-fighting, and afterwards I was at the Cafe de Madrid. There was a great discussion on Lobo Street. Every day that was becoming more impossible. We haven't begun the review.

Aromatic wine -- Peseta 0.25

2 February

Buttons and shoe polish -- Pesetas 1.30

Maids -- Pesetas 9.67

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 8.25

Los Cuatro Reynos de la Naturaleza -- Pesetas 3.50

Chestnuts -- Pesetas .20

Today we gathered at the house of Mr. Paul [42]: Sanmarti, [Eduardo de] Lete, [Valentin] Ventura, Paco Esquivel, [Melecio] Figueroa, Estevan [Villanueva], the newly married couple, and I. At the beginning Etermes was very lively but later he became furious when he began to lose.

3 February

The weather is rainy. Today the Cortabitarte sisters with their mother came. We talked a little but very merrily. They asked to see my pictures and I showed them.

4 February (Monday)

Today we began the review in earnest. Mariani, Polo, and Slocker are in charge. Perio appears at the review; I don't know what that man can say.

5 February

Subscription to El Día -- Peseta 1.00

I called on Valentin [Ventura] who has a slight dermatitis.

6 February

Mr. Federico Lara, professor of history, died suddenly. He was a very fine person, at least in the short time I have known him.

7 February (Thursday)

The most important thing today is the discussion between two Spaniards on Lobo Street, one who maintained that all Spaniards are brave and the other, that they are not all so. That should he eat ten or forty Englishmen, as many Germans, etc. After this we went down and we found two chulos and a merchant quarrelling. The two chulos were on the street insulting all they can and despising the merchant. When the merchant left, those two disappeared.

9 February (Saturday)

Theater (La Mascota) [43] -- Pesetas 2.10

I didn't like La Mascota. I was bored. I learned that Mrs. Benita Anton has died.

10 February

Graduation picture -- Pesetas 20.00

Pen and pencils -- Pesetas 1.25

Today I strolled through the University District. I went to see Maria C... I went back and forth through those districts.

13 February (Wednesday)

Today the mail boat left. I wrote to Uncle Antonio, Leonor, and my family, to whom I sent a picture.

14 February

There was a violent discussion on Philippine questions.

16 February (Saturday)

We were at the house of Mr. Pablo Ortiga y Rey: Estevan [Villanueva], Sanmarti, two Esquiveles, and I. The dance of El Real.

17 February (Sunday)

One skull -- Pesetas 10.00

Alcohol to wash it -- Pesetas .40

We were at the house of Peter [44]: [Eduardo de] Lete, Antonio, Estevan [Villaneuva], [Melecio] Figueroa, and I. Nothing in particular.

24 February

Today I wrote a letter to Mariano Catigbac. [45]

25 February (Monday of the Carnival) [46]

Rent of chairs in the hall (of El Prado) -- Peseta 0.50

I hardly enjoyed in the Hall seeing the masks pass by. There was beside me a beautiful young woman, blue eyes, a pleasant smile. I went to call on the family of Dominga.

26 February

Last night the two Esquiveles, Lete, and another one were at the house of an intimate friend. One of them took the liberty of mocking several countrymen and the rest were all contented. All were friends. Buami ar rebasti pese vuemdi quoasem hebtesna da enorledar. [47]

27 February

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 17.75

28 February

Graciano [Lopez Jaena] and [Melecio] Figueroa were at the house. [Eduardo de] Lete gave news that rather pleased me if it's true, but it didn't satisfy me. In short what is lost on one side is won on the other. He dagamdodi rur odaer vimlse um arpeñit. [48]

1 March

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 3.05

Review for the degree -- Pesetas 30.00

We gathered at the house of Mr. Pedro Paterno: Antonio, Sanmarti, Paco Esquivel, Estevan [Villanueva], [Melecio] Figueroa, [Eduardo de] Lete, and I.

2 March

Maids -- Pesetas 9.76

Mending of shirts -- Pesetas .50

3 March

Walking stick -- Pesetas 4.00

4 March

For one cut-away coat and vest -- Pesetas 10.00

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 4.50

We had an operation performed by Mariani. This evening I attended some English lessons at the Ateneo given by Mr. Schuts.

8 March

Today Campoamor read at the Ateneo his three poems: El amor o la muerte, cartas de una Santa, Como rezan los solteras. I would have entered but I didn't like to. Father Mon continues to attract attention for the sermon he preached at the Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

9 March

Cunanan and Ventura came to visit me. We talked about several things.

11 March

German grammar – Pesetas 3.00

I received a letter from Uncle Antonio in which he tells me that Mrs. Ticang has become insane.

13 March

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 7.00

A pin -- Pesetas 3.00

Today [Pedro] Carranceja came from Santander.

15 March (Saturday)

Today I saw Mr. Quintin Meynet on Atocha Street. According to him, he has been away from Manila for 18 months. He is ever the same. Some articles in El Progreso are attracting much attention. On this day alone it has been denounced twice. We gathered at the house of Mr. Pablo Ortiga y Rey: [Eduardo de] Lete, Sanmarti, Esquivel (Paco), Estevan, and I. The actors have another raffle. Today I remembered my sisters very much, especially Maria.

16 March

Pedro Carranceja came to visit us. Tomorrow he's going back to the Philippines with his brother and a cousin.

19 March (Wednesday, St. Joseph)

Bath -- Pesetas 2.00

Works of Claudio Bernard -- Pesetas 50.00

I received greeting cards [49] from Pepe Esquivel, [Evaristo] Aguirre, the family of Ruiz (Widow), [Manuel Alveyra] Iriarte, Mr. Pablo y Carillo, and Pedro Paterno.

23 March

One lottery ticket -- Pesetas 3.50

24 March

Theater -- Pesetas 1.50

26 March

Books -- Pesetas 30.00

28 March

Today Meynet died almost suddenly.

For one picture -- Pesetas 3.50

Review -- Pesetas 30.00

30 March (Sunday)

I wrote to the Philippines: to L(eonor) and Uncle Antonio.

31 March

Today I saw the family of V.... I didn't know if it is for being my compatriot or something else, this family is very congenial to me. The boys and girls are very amiable. One of the lads, José, engaged me in conversation that made me laugh a good while. The eldest had been at La Concordia [50] and know many of the girls there.

Les femmes de mon pays me plaisent beaucoup; je ne m'en sais la cause, mais je trouve chez elles un je ne sais quoi qui me charme et me fait rever. [51] (The women of my country please me very much. I don't know why, but I find in them I know not what that enchants me and makes me dream). When they talk to me about my country, dormant remembrances are awakened in my heart. Now and then a vague melancholy takes possession of me and displays before my eyes the whole past. This happened to me often when I was a child, I experience it also now, though rarely, but with much intensity. So many young women who could have illumined my life even for one day and nevertheless absolutely nothing of the kind. I'm going to become like those travelers who go through a path strewn with flowers: They pass by without touching them with the hope of finding something uncertain, and the road becomes more arid and they find themselves at last in a bare region, regretting the past. My days run swiftly and I find that I'm very old (many call me so) for my age. I lack the gaiety of young hearts, the smiling countenance of tranquil and satisfied hearts, the animation of those who trust in their future and nonetheless I believe I haven't done anything that is not well thought of and liked. I believe I'm honest, I have no regret except perhaps having deprived myself of many pleasures. I feel that my heart has not lost its capacity to love, only I don't find any one to love. I have used this sentiment but little. [52]

2 April

German class -- Pesetas 29.00

6 April

Today we met at the session of the Ateneo. The Prince of Bavaria [53] presided. Speeches were delivered. Finally I was introduced to him. He is a physician, young, of a happy disposition.

Gum -- Pesetas 0.25

8 April

Today I began a small work of sculpture which represents a wounded gladiator [54].

9 April

I wrote to my brother. I sent newspapers.

10 April (Maundy Thursday)

We continue to fast. It is a fine day.

13 April

Today I received letters from Leonor, Uncle Antonio, and Chengoy. I'm fairly contented with what they tell me, though not with the condition of Leonor. This afternoon I saw Esquivel (Jose) and we talked about various things.

15 April

Lottery ticket -- Pesetas 3.00

17 April

Theater -- Pesetas 2.10

Today I saw [Ernesto] Rossi, the Italian actor, playing Kean, a drama by Dumas. [55] Its effect upon me was surprising.

19 April

Theater -- Pesetas 2.10

Feuillet Montjoia [56] play didn't please me nor did it satisfy me as drama. Staged, yes.

20 April

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 6.00

Today I received a letter from Uncle Antonio [57] sending me 500 pesetas. I went out to visit the Paterno brothers but they were not at home.

Alcohol for the coffee [58] -- Pesetas 0.35.

21 April

Paid to (the bookstore of) Gutenberg -- Pesetas 64.00

Coffee -- Pesetas 1.00

One plate and one cup -- Pesetas 1.25

24 April

One lottery ticket -- Pesetas 3.00

Tonight I saw Rossi [59] play Hamlet. I spent a very pleasant time seeing how masterly Shakespeare was interpreted.

25 April

Subscriptions -- Pesetas 20.00

Binding of La Ameneidad -- Pesetas 2.50

26 April

Theater, Hamlet -- Pesetas 3.10

27 April

Today I received a letter from Villa-Abrille from Tapia. The day was magnificent; the sun was resplendent.

28 April

Repair of shoes -- Pesetas 3.50

1 May

Payment for the food until the 15^th [60] -- Pesetas 22.50

Maids -- Pesetas 10.29

A large band -- Pesetas 0.05

Today I stopped eating on Lobo Street, I go to Principe Street. I gave up German also to devote this whole month to my examinations.

2 May

Lesage [61] Atlas [62] -- Pesetas 7.50

3 May

Oranges -- Pesetas 0.05

Review -- Pesetas 30.00

5 May

Repair of some shoes -- Pesetas 1.90

Books -- Pesetas 4.50

6 May

9th volume of Voltaire [63] -- Pesetas 5.00

A lordling, Lorenzo D'Ayot, [64] published an article—"El Teatro Tagalo." I answered him.

5 June

Today I took the examination in Medical Clinic, 2nd course.

6 June

Today I took the examination in my last medical subject, Clinical Surgery, 2nd course, and I got the grade of notable. [65]

9 June

Application for the degree.

14 June

Today I took my examination in Greek, 1st course. I got "Excellent".

15 June

I took the examination in Greek and Latin literature and I got "Excellent".

19 June

Today I ought to have made my first exercise with [Dr. Tomás] Santero [y Moreno], senior.

20 June

1st exercise.

21 June

2nd exercise. Approved.

25 June

I won the first prize in Greek. Today I delivered a speech. After having won in the competition, lamoe henbsa y me lamoe mede qua vinas mo domasi. [66] I remained thus until evening (follows a cross with large reels.)

26 June

Today I took an examination in Universal History, 2^nd course. Excellent.

30 June

Today I won the prize for Greek and Latin literature.

1 November (Saturday)

At 10:00 in the evening numerous friends and compatriots gathered at the studio of Luna on Gorguera Street, No. 14: Paternos, Govantes, Esquiveles, Ventura, Aguirre, Llorente, López, Ceferino, Carrillo, Estevan, 3 Buelines, Mrs. Silvelas, Pando y Valle, Araus, Moya, Correa, Comenge, Malagarrigs, Juste, Arnedo, Madejar, Maurin, Maximino, Aramburo, Baeza, Aurora, Florinda, and others. There was much laughter, manzanilla and champagne were drunk, there were singing, dancing, guitar, fandango, toasts, comedies. Maximo had an attack. Valentin was very gay. We left at 4:00 o’clock, we went to another place. [67]

______________

[01] NOTE: Footnote One is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. From Noli Me Tangere (Makati City: Bookmark, 1996), pp. 557-559:

“The night of light and happiness for so many children, who in the warm bosoms of the family celebrate the feast of the sweetest memories, the feast that commemorates the first glance of love sent by heaven to earth; that night when all the Christian families eat, drink, dance, sing, laugh, play, love, kiss each other...this night, which in cold countries is magic for children with its traditional pine tree loaded with lights, dolls, sweetmeats and tinsel, whose round eyes reflecting innocence look dazzled; that night had nothing to offer Basilio more than orphancy...

“The stranger turned his face towards the east and murmured as though praying:

"‘I die without seeing the dawn break on my country...You who are about to see it, greet her...do not forget those who have fallen during the night!’

“He raised his eyes to heaven, his lips moved as if murmuring a prayer, then he lowered his head and fell gradually to the ground...”

From Leon Ma. Guerrero, The First Filipino: A Biography of Jose Rizal (Manila: Guerrero Publishing, 1998 [1963]), pp. 443-448:

He found time for a special note to his father.

6 a.m. 30th December 1896

My most beloved father:

Forgive me the sorrow with which I repay the anxieties and toil you underwent to give me an education. I did not want this nor expected it.

Farewell, father, farewell!

For his mother words seem to have failed him. "To my much beloved mother, Sra. Da. Teodora Alonso, at six o'clock in the morning of the 30th of December 1896."

Both notes are signed rather formally with his full name...

He took his stand facing the bay, his back to the rising sun. The drums rolled, the shout of command was given, and the Remigntons of the 70th fired. With one last convulsive effort of the will Rizal twisted his body rightward as he fell, his last sight being perhaps the hard empty eyes of the professional soldiers, companions in arms of those who had impassively lowered Tarsilo down the well and hunted down Elias as he swam in his own blood.

He was facing the dawn now, but this he was not to see. "Viva Espana!" screamed Dona Victorina in her elegant carriage.

"Viva Espana!" shouted Father Damaso, and added, shaking his fist, "Y mueran los traidores"

"Long live Spain and death to traitors!" But as the last Spaniards gave their ragged cheer, and the band of the battalion of volunteers struck up, with unconscious irony, that hymn to human rights and constitutional liberties, the Marcha de Cádiz, the quiet crowd of Filipinos broke through the square, to make sure, said the Spanish correspondent, that the mythical, the godlike Rizal was really dead, or, according to others, to snatch away a relic and keepsake and dip their handkerchiefs in a hero's blood.

If he had seen them, the first Filipino would have known that he was not the last.

[02] Mr. Pablo Ortiga y Rey, member of the Council of the Philippines, a governmental advisory body, and father of Consuelo Ortiga y Perez.

[03] He lost in the card game.

[04] Paterno, Calero, Perio, and Lete.

[05] On 2 May 1808 bitter street-fighting occurred in Madrid which marked the beginning of the Spanish uprising against the French invaders.

[06] Leonor Rivera, Rizal’s fiancée.

[07] Rizal’s diary from 1 January to 1 November 1884 is found in W. E. Retana’s, biography of Rizal, Vida y escritos del Dr. José Rizal, Madrid, 1907, pp. 72-91. He obtained the original manuscript from the Filipino historian Clemente J. Zuleta as a gift and then he sold it to the North-American bibliophile Mr. E. E. Ayer (Austin Craig, Los errors de Retana, Manila, 1910).

[08] A novel by Victor Hugo (1826) regarding the slave uprising in San Domingo the subsequent liberation of Haiti. It was informed by accounts regarding Toussaint Louverture.

[09] The college of medicine of the Universidad Central, Madrid.

[10] Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, the school of fine arts.

[11] About the ciphers Professor Miguel de Unamuno of Salamanca University wrote Retana the following: "In these ciphered phrases Rizal substituted the letters in the first line for those below:

a e i o c f g l m n r s t v

e a o i v g f t n m s r l c

He left out the letters u, b, d, h, j, p, q, y. Apply and you'll see that it says: "Pedro is looking for votes so that he will be made president. Lete is still in love with Consuelo; I believe that shortly he'll love her less." Knowing the key, it is already easy to decipher the other ciphered phrases. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 74.)

[12] It refers to the Tagalog corrido entitled Pinagdaanang buhay ni Florante at ni Laura sa kahariang Albania (The Life of Florante and Laura in the Kingdom of Albania). This corrido is considered the best poem that has been written in the Tagalog language. Francisco Baltazar, the author, was so modest that he published it anonymously. About Francisco Baltazar [Balagtas] and his writings see the book entitled Kung sino ang kumatha ng Florante by the young Tagalog Mr. Hermenegildo Cruz, printed in Manila, 1906. Corrido is a corruption or contraction of the Spanish word ocurrido (happened). The corridos are to Tagalog literature what the old tales of chivalry are to Spanish literature. The poets put to a test their imagination and they carry the protagonists who commonly are princes or kings to the remotest countries, making them go through many strange adventures. For that reason, corrido has its origin in the tales of chivalry. (W. E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 74.)

[13] It seems he writes this with real satisfaction. In spite of the 32 pesetas for dinner -- the only extravagance in one semester -- he was very economical; Rizal did not smoke and he hardly spent for anything else except for books. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 75.)

[14] NOTE: Footnote Fourteen is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. Eleuterio Ruiz de Leon (?) See John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, the Making of a Revolution, Rev. ed. (Quezon City: Ateneo UP, 1997), p. 177 n 16: The one apparent exception [to the all-Filipino membership of the revived "Solidaridad" Masonic lodge in Madrid] was Eleuterio Ruiz de Leon, who was, however, married to a Filipina, and had been patron of the Filipino students in Madrid from as early as 1881 (see Felix M. Roxas, The World of Felix Roxas, tr. by Angel Estrada and Vicente del Carmen [Manila: The Filipiniana Book Guild, 1970], p. 39).

[15] Leonor Rivera's father.

[16] Leonor's letter is loving with a most pleasant ending. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 76.)

[17] NOTE: Footnote Seventeen is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. Julio Llorente. See John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, the Making of a Revolution, rev. ed. (Quezon City: Ateneo UP, 1997), p. 59 n.1: Julio Llorente, a classmate and intimate of Jose Rizal at the Ateneo Municipal, obtained the doctorate in law in Madrid in 1885. Though active in these years in the Filipino colony, he wrote little or nothing, at least under his own name, and returned to the Philippines in 1891. Arrested at the outbreak of the Revolution in 1896, he was released through the intervention of [Segismundo] Moret, and was an important figure in the judiciary from the earliest years of the American regime.

[18] NOTE: Footnote Eighteen is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. Evaristo Aguirre. See John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, the Making of a Revolution, Rev. ed. (Quezon City: Ateneo UP, 1997), p. 59 n. 1: Evaristo Aguirre was born of Spanish parents in Cavite, and was at this time a student in Madrid. He was a confidant and assiduous correspondent of Rizal, and his letters are a principal source for the events of this period [1886-1891]. In spite of being of pure Spanish blood, his letters show that he considered himself purely Filipino, and his nationalism was of the most ardent.

[19] Note: Footnote Nineteen is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. Pedro Govantes. See John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, the Making of a Revolution, Rev. ed. (Quezon City: Ateneo UP, 1997), p. 42, n. 2: Pedro Govantes was the son of Felipe Govantes, a Spaniard who held many posts in the Philippine administration, and remained permanently there. Pedro was the nephew of the Azcarragas, and had been active in Manila journalism for a few years before coming to Spain to get his doctorate in law.

[20] “The majority talk a great deal, but when it comes to giving money, they refuse to give.” (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 75.)

[21] Rizal is mistaken inasmuch as there is no gallery of senators but of ex-senators and ex-deputies to which only these men have access. It must be then another gallery. Note the patience of Rizal who waited in order to enter from twelve o'clock and some minutes until six continuously. And without lunch! (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, 78)

[22] From the statement it can be deduced that Rizal didn't take part in the riot, which is not surprising: considering his peaceful and thoughtful nature. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 76).

[23] Apparently what they owed him and cost him so much trouble to recover, were those 3 pesetas and 35 cents. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 77).

[24] Rizal invested every month from 3 to 6 pesetas in lottery tickets. This was his only vice. When he was in Mindanao he won one-third prize of a ticket owned by him, Politico-Military Commander [Ricardo Sanchez] Carnicero, and one Spaniard surnamed Equilior. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 77).

[25] Note: Footnote Twenty-five is taken from a website operated by Ari Nagaseo. Consuelo Ortiga, daughter of Pablo Ortiga y Rey. From Leon Ma. Guerrero, The First Filipino: A Biography of Jose Rizal ([Pasig City?]: Guerrero Publishing, 1998 [1963]), 102-103, 110 [endnote]: [Rizal] seems to have thoroughly enjoyed a flirtation with Consuelo Ortiga, the daughter of Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who [end of page 102] had been mayor of Manila in de la Torre's time, and was now a counselor at the Colonial Office and a ready host to all young liberals. "Consuelo was kind to me," he notes in his journal. He sends her gifts: native cloths, music sheets from Paris, the first flower of a houseplant. Consuelo's diary [*] follows the progress of the affair in more detail.

Rizal says that he never goes out except to go to medical school and to come here at night... Rizal too is in love; he hasn't proposed outright but almost, almost... I am divided between Rizal and [Eduardo de] Lete. The former attracts me because of his conversation and because he seems such a serious young man... Rizal told me he was leaving for Paris to forget, to heal himself of a disease acquired a year ago; that he had seen others fooled by the amiability with which they had been treated and was afraid the same thing would happen to him; that he had once fallen in love and it had seemed to him that he was going to be accepted, but that suddenly he had been disappointed [dear Segunda!]. Now it was different because the girl concerned belonged to a much higher class. "I aspire", he said, "too high."

She had, in fact, made her choice in favor of Lete. In February 1884 he still could not understand it and asked her how she looked upon him.

"As a friend," she replied. "Do you want more?"

"Really, that should be enough," he said with a certain irony.

"Poor Rizal!" exclaims Consuelo in her diary. He for his part relieved his feelings by writing her verses, of which the concluding stanzas give the flavor.

Un imposible, una ambicidn, locura,

Suenos del alma, una pasion tal vez...

Bebed el nectar que en la vida sirven;

Dejad tranquilo reposar la hiel.

De nuevo siento las espesas sombras

Cubrir el alma con su denso tul;

Capullo, si no mas, no flor hermosa,

Pues le faltan la atmosfera y la luz.

Tenedlos alli, pobres versos mios,

Hijos malditos que lacto el pesar;

Saben muy bien a quien deben su vida,

Y ellos a vos os lo diran quizas. [**]

*[Rafael] Palma [Biografia de Rizal (Manila: Bureau of Printing, 1949)], 55 et seq. Apparently quoting from a manuscript in the National Museum.

**Poesias [de Rizal], (Manila: [Bureau of Printing?], 1946], p. 52.

[26] Philippine textile, made of abaca fiber. Costs little. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 77).

[27] In code: “Paterno has exploited him, harshly. He promised to pay his debts in order to make him work and afterwards he didn't want to pay him anything.”

[28] Ari Nagaseo adds this footnote: Did Rizal mean the Casino de Madrid?

[29] Rizal refers to the article published in El Correo, a Madrid daily, in its issue for 22 January 1884, entitled Un Museo y Un The an exaggerated and sickening description of the house of the Paternos in Madrid and the dinner they gave the newspapermen. It depicted the Paternos as exceedingly rich and ostentatious. Retana says, Rizal wishes his countrymen to be less ostentatious and more serious. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 79.)

[30] It shows that Rizal didn't know it in detail. He was never invited to the banquets that the Paternos have been giving. Those brothers (Pedro above all), avid of ostentation, showered entertainments on the last Spanish reporter and they omitted their compatriots of the merit of Rizal... Perhaps because Rizal could not appear in dress coat, which the poor student didn't have! (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 79.)

[31] A stroke of delicacy that honors him; and at the same time, political foresight. It is to be assumed that the greater part of the pictures Rizal had were those of simple Tagalogs "with shirt out" and he must have been aware that there might be someone who, on seeing them would make a disdainful gesture or smile ironically. Rizal loved his countrymen too much to be pleased by such things. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 79.)

[32] In Code: Leonor had been unfaithful; but her infidelity was so great that it had no remedy.

[33] Benedict Anderson's literal translation. See Benedict Anderson, "Nitroglycerine in the Pomegranate," New Left Review 27 (May/June 2004): 115n38. The original entry, as quoted by Anderson, states: "Esta novela es una de las que me han parecido mejor urdidas, hijas únicas del talento y de la meditación. No habla al corazón como el dulce lenguaje de Lamartine. Se impone, domina, confunde, subyuga, pero no hace llorar. Yo no sé si es porque estoy endurecido." Compare Encarnacion Alzona's translation: "It seemed to me to be the best contrived novel, the fruit alone of talent and meditation. The sweet language of Lamartine does not speak to the heart. It imposes, dominates, confuses, subjugates, but it does not make one cry. I don't know if it's because I'm hardened." The subject of the passage shifts, in Alzona's translation, from Sue's novel to Lamartine's "sweet language" whereas in the "original" it is Sue's novel that "imposes, dominates, confuses, subjugates, but... does not make one cry."

[34] Fr. Francisco Rivas, Dominican. He filled high positions at the University of Manila (University of Santo Tomas) and later in Spain. While he was procurator in Madrid in 1870, he published two pamphlets against the reforms of the Minister of Colonies, Mr. Moret, directed towards the secularization of the University of Manila. Fr. Rivas died at Vergara on 14 January 1884. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid, 1907, p. 80.)

[35] The Filipino friends of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey sometimes referred to him as El Padre Eterno, because of his long beard that made him look like the usual image of God the Father. Etermes may be a wrong transcription of El Padre Eterno. They also called him "Mr. Paul," the English for Pablo.

[36] In Code: “Consuelo [Ortiga] has been very amiable.”

[37] El Ateneo de Madrid es un sociedad privada declarada de utilidad pública. Reglamentariamente el Ateneo de Madrid se define como una "Sociedad científica, literaria y artística. Se propone difundir las ciencias, las letras y las artes por todos los medios adecuados, y favorecer, dentro de su seno, el desarrollo de Agrupaciones que se propongan realizar la investigación científica y el cultivo de las artes y de las letras. La actividad cultural del Ateneo no está restringida exclusivamente a beneficiar a sus socios, sino abierta a cualquier otro posible beneficiario que reúna las condiciones y caracteres exigidos por la índole de sus propios fines".

[38] Code: “They were looking for a house but they wanted it cheap; I offered my room.”

[39] Jose M. Cecilio.

[40] Doctor Santiago Gonzalez Encinas: See John N. Schumacher, The Propaganda Movement: 1880-1895; The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, the Making of a Revolution, Rev. ed. (Quezon City: Ateneo UP, 1997), p. 57, n.27: Another republican who may have influenced the Filipinos, though he never joined their activities, was Doctor Santiago Gonzalez Encinas, a professor of medicine at the University of Madrid... Encinas is the only professor mentioned by Rizal in his notebook "Clinica medica," where he speaks highly of him as a professor ([W.E.] Retana, Vida [y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid: Victoriano Suarez, 1907, p. 65).

[41] Now the site of a popular Madrid nightspot: Es, sin duda, la discoteca con más historia de todo Madrid. Sede habitual de los famosos de la prensa rosa y de los turistas. El Teatro Eslava, que abrió sus puertas en 1870 a la bohemia nocturna que surgía en la capital, ha atravesado por épocas de decrepitud, por el cierre durante una década e incluso por la devastación en dos incendios, para seguir siendo el reclamo nocturno de la ciudad. Ambiente híbrido donde se combinan figuras de la aristocracia con los Drag Queens. La música de últimas tendencias y los éxitos.

[42] The Filipino friends of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey sometimes referred to him as El Padre Eterno, because of his long beard that made him look like the usual image of God the Father. Etermes may be a wrong transcription of El Padre Eterno. They also called him "Mr. Paul," the English for Pablo.

[43] Opéra-comique en 3 actes de Henri Chivot et Alfred Duru; musique de Edmond Audran [1842-1901]. Création à Paris, théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens le 29 (ou le 30) décembre 1880 avec Mlles Montbazon (Bettina) et Dinelli (Fiametta), MM Morlet (Pippo), Charles Lamy (Fritellini), Hittemans (Laurent XVII), Raucourt (Rocco) et Desmonts (Mathéo).

[44] Pedro Paterno?

[45] Brother of Segunda Katigbak. From Asuncion Lopez Bantug, Lolo Jose: An Intimate Portrait of Rizal (Manila: Intramuros Administration, 1982), p. 35: "Jose was fifteen years old when, in an old house in Trozo, her first set eyes on pretty Segunda Katigbak. Trozo was then a vilage between the two great Manila boroughs of Tondo and Santa Cruz. Segunda was a sister of a friend of Jose's, Mariano Katigbak.” As Rizal writes in his Reminiscences (Manila: Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission, 1961), 28: "I had made a pencil portrait of Miss K., that I copied from a photograph that she had given me... I offered her the portrait I had made, which pleased her." Earlier (on pages 25-26) Rizal describes his first encounter with Segunda sometime in 1877: "My friend M. [Mariano Katigbak of Lipa, Batangas] went to our house every Sunday and other days and afterwards together we would go to Trozo to the house of a grandmother of mine, friend of his father. For me the days passed happily and silently until one Sunday when we went to Trozo, we encountered there a girl [Segunda Katigbak] of about fourteen years fresh, pleasant, winsome, who received my companion with much familiarity, from which I deduced that she might be his sister who I already heard was going to marry a relative whose name I didn't remember. In fact we found there a tall man, dressed nicely, who seemed to be her fiancé [Manuel Luz of Lipa, Batangas]. She was short, with expressive eyes, ardent at times, and drooping at other times, pinkish, a smile so bewitching and provocative that revealed some very beautiful teeth; with an air of a sylph. I don't know what alluring something was all over her being. She was not the most beautiful woman I had ever seen but I had never seen one more bewitching and alluring."

[46] Carnaval is celebrated throughout Spain but it is especially popular in the south. The city of Cadiz, for example, is well-known for its desfiles (parades), elegant processions and elaborate costumes.

In most areas of Spain, Carnaval is celebrated during the week before miercoles de Ceniza. Students do not have classes during this week because there are dias de fiestas. A cohete (a rocket) is fired to open the celebraciones. Then the streets fill with trajes de colores (colorful costumes) and floats. The desfiles and bailes de enmarcarados (masked balls) play a big part in the Carnaval celebrations.

No matter where you are in Spain, Carnaval ends at midnight el martes antes de miercoles de Ceniza. Sometimes una muneca de paja (a straw doll) -- which represents Carnaval -- is burned to mark the end of the Carnaval season.

The next day, el miercoles de Ceniza, there is another ceremony called El Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine). The "fun times" are buried because it is now la Cuaresma -- a time of fasting and praying. The sardina is a symbol which reminds the people that now they will be eating fish instead of meat. (Catholics still observe the tradition of not eating meat on miercoles de Ceniza and on Fridays during la Cuaresma). In the "old days" a real sardina was used in the mock funeral processsion but now a sardina plastica is often used. The people in the funeral procession are dressed in black. The men wear suits and chesteras (top hats). The women wear vestidos negros (black dresses) and velos negos (black veils). The women pretend to cry as they walk to the river. When they reach the river, the sardina is thrown into the river or sometimes it is burned instead. Later this day, people go to church where they receive cenizas in the form of a cross on their foreheads.

Madrid’s traditional medieval carnival was revived in 1976 after being squashed for 40 years under Franco’s regime.

[47] “It's good to know it when they want to talk to me about friendships.” Together with the note for this day is a piece of paper which says: "Only Pepe Esquivel was there; his brother wasn't. Aguirre and S. who is a Canarian. If someone allowed the mockery that you state here (though it's true), it doesn't mean to say that the rest were contented. I protest! Your amiability will excuse my indiscretion. Your, L. ([W.E.] Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal [Madrid: Victoriano Suarez, 1907], p. 83).

[48] “He defended his ideas against a Spaniard.” Here's a brief note but of real importance. Rizal, who was suffering from the obsession that the colored man, solely for being so, was the object of scorn of the white (and the proof of this will be seen later) believed that the Filipinos, for the sake of their dignity, ought to have, like him, the courage of their convictions. Thus, he was pleased to know that a Filipino had defended his ideas against a Spaniard. ([W.E.] Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal [Madrid: Victoriano Suarez, 1907], p. 83).

[49] Greetings on his saint's day, St. Joseph. 19^th of March.

[50] A well-known boarding school for girls, La Concordia College was administered by the Sisters of Charity. It was founded in 1868 by Margarita Roxas de Ayala, a wealthy Filipino woman, who gave her country home called La Concordia in Sta. Ana, Manila, to the school and hence its popular designation. Its official name is Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion.

[51] Rizal took one course in French at the Ateneo de Manila. In Madrid he read much in this language which later in Paris he came to master in the same way that he did Spanish, English, and German, in all of which he wrote with ease. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal [Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 1907], p. 85).

[52] It is needless to recommend the importance of this intimate note that fully depicts Rizal. Thus he wrote with all his soul when he had not yet reached 23 years. Considering himself old was already an old obsession of his, principally since his coming to Spain. W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal [Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 1907], p. 86).

[53] Footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. Ludwig Ferdinand Maria Karl Heinrich Adalbert Franz Philipp Andreas Konstantin, Prince of Bavaria, Dr. med., 1859-1949. On April 2, 1883, one year before Rizal's diary entry, he married Doña Maria de la Paz Juana Amelia Adelberta Francisca de Paula Juana Baptista Isabel Francisca de Asis, Infanta of Spain, 1862-1946.

[54] This sculpture (not original) together with two others (original) were given to Prof. Blumentritt by Rizal in 1887. Rizal began sculpture in Manila when he was a student. The excellent Filipino artist Mr. Eomualdo T. de Jesús gave him his first lessons. (El Renacimiento, 26 June 1906 in W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal [Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 1907], p. 87).

[55] A footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. Kean, ou Désordre et génie (Kean, or Disorder and Genius), 1836 by Alexandre Dumas père.

From The Alexandre Dumas père Web Site: A drama in five acts, written in 1836 (at the height of Dumas' popularity as a playwright), and set in London in about 1820. For his subject, Dumas takes the character of the greatest British Shakespearian actor of his day, Edmund Kean (1787-1833). Born in poverty and obscurity, Kean swiftly became Britain's most famous (and best remunerated) actor by sheer force of ability, gaining the favor of London society. Kean's private life was a chaotic stew of debt, violence, intoxication, and other people's wives. He collapsed on stage in 1833 (playing Othello) and died broke.

Kean's humble origin, genius, and sudden popular acclaim mirrored Dumas' experience in France, and Dumas took as his particular topic the relationship between the aristocracy of talent and the aristocracy of birth, a topic he also explored throughout the character of Benvenuto Cellini in Ascanio.

In the play, Kean is embroiled in an unhappy love affair with Countess Elena Koefeld, wife of the British ambassador. Waking from a drunken stupor, Kean meets a star-struck underage heiress, Anna Damby, who has just fled from an arranged marriage with a powerful politician, Lord Melville, leaving his Lordship standing at the altar.

The meeting comes to the attention of Lord Melville, who, knowing of Kean's reputation as a womanizer, plans to abduct Miss Damby and blame the episode on Kean. Meanwhile, Kean comes to believe that his Countess is being courted by his royal patron, the Prince of Wales. In a series of tightly plotted scenes, Kean unmasks Lord Melville in the act of trying to kidnap Anna, challenges him to duel, only to have Melville refuse on the grounds that he is a peer of the realm while Kean is "a buffoon and a clown."

The next day, preparing for performance of "Romeo and Juliet," Kean receives the Countess in his dressing room, and begs her not to see the Prince of Wales. Immediately, the Prince knocks on the door, the Countess is quickly bundled out a side exit, and Kean then begs the Prince not to seduce the countess, because he could not uphold his honor against a member of the royalty. The Prince puts him off, and Kean is distraught.

The play begins, and, in the audience, Kean spies the Countess sitting with the Prince of Wales as well as Lord Melville. Abandoning the play altogether, Kean delivers a fiery denunciation of Lord Meville as a kidnapper and of the Prince of Wales as a seducer. Kean collapses onstage in a fit of madness.

In the fifth act, Dumas masterfully pulls all the strings together and delivers a happy ending, with Kean and Anna Damby departing for a year's tour in America, and the Count and Countess returning to Denmark.

[56] A footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. The play Montjoie written in 1863 by Octave Feuillet, 1821-1890.

From Junius Henri Browne, "A Few French Celebrities," Harper's New Monthly Magazine 47.282 (November, 1873), pages 839-840:

Octave Feuillet, just turned of sixty, is best known in this country as the author of The Romance of a Poor Young Man, familiar both as a novel and a drama. He has published not less than fifty or sixty novels, comedies, vaudevilles, and scenes of fantasy, nearly all of which have received a warm welcome in Paris, where he has resided since his early boyhood. Though the son of a captain-general of prefecture, he owes his advancement to his own exertions, and his success in literature to a high order of intellect and indefatigable industry. Once, when he was complaining that some of his later books had not sold as well as they ought to sell, his wife told him they were too pure to be popular—that the public preferred printed wickedness to any thing else. The consequence was Camors, which was eagerly purchased, and of which a translation in English has found here a host of readers.

Madame Feuillet evidently understands the world.

Feuillet is a thorough-paced Frenchman, who hated the Germans as vehemently as any Frenchman should. It will be remembered that, just after the close of the war, he was arrested on the frontier by the enemies of his country for some severe strictures he had published upon them, and that he took advantage of his temporary imprisonment to wrap himself, metaphorically, in the tricolor, and to become typographically epigrammatic at the expense of the barbarous foe. Feuillet has a calm, fine, strong face, was decidedly handsome in his youth, and his manners and address are reposeful and attractive.

[57] It is strange that Rizal never mentions letters from his parents to him or from him to his parents whom he loved with veneration. Without doubt the following lines of Mr. Epifanio de los Santos allude to this note. "As in some Tagalog families, while the father was in charge of the farm work to the mother belonged, besides the household duties, the keeping of the list and accounting of the tenants and the correspondence about which she informed her husband verbally. Rizal, as a good son, considered as articles of faith whatever advices came from his parents, even on literary matters. Hence his correspondence was always with his mother. He wrote his father only a few times and his last one was when he was awaiting execution.["] Perfectly. But this does not lessen our surprise that he does not mention letters from his mother to him and from him to her. Maybe his uncle Antonio served them as an intermediary, the one who sent him the money, which in truth he made use of. He spent for food some ten reales daily (later he spent six only). He rarely went to the theater and when he did it was, more than any thing else, to see very notable actors or performances. With regard to his personal luxuries, there are noted a scarf-pin for three pesetas and a cut-away coat with its vest bought for two duros! On the other hand he spent all he could for books in the midst of his poverty. This, for a lad of twenty-three years living in Madrid who is free to go anywhere, denotes a truly virtuous man. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal (Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 1907), 88)

[58] He brewed coffee on an alcohol lamp.

[59] Footnote added by Ari Nagsaeo. Ernesto Rossi, 1827-1896, Italian actor.

[60] He reduces this expense further: Six reales daily! (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal (Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 1907), p. 89.)

[61] Footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. Pseudonym used by Marie Joseph Emmanuel Auguste Dieudonné, Comte de Las Cases, 1766-1842. He is best known for Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène (1823), a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, as dictated -- and corrected -- by the exiled leader himself.

[62] Footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. Atlas Historique, Généalogique, Chronologique et Géographique, par A. Le Sage. On January 9, 1884, Rizal decided against buying a "badly damaged" and thus "valueless" copy of the same Atlas.

[63] Footnote added by Ari Nagaseo. Probably volume 9 of the Oeuvres Complètes de Voltaire. Nouv. éd. (Paris: Garnier Frères, 1877-85). Included in that volume is La pucelle or "The Virgin," a poem on the life of Jeanne d'Arc, originally written in 1762.

[64] The "Lordling" referred to is Mr. Manuel Lorenzo d'Ayot, Filipino creole, who has been living in Spain for several years and is a writer. (W.E. Retana, Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal (Madrid: Victoriano Suárez, 89).

This information is added by Ari Nagaseo: In the National Library of Spain are kept the following works by Manuel Lorenzo d'Ayot: the play Felipe II, the novel Grisina (1908), and the prose poems La Iberiada (1896), La Idea (1891), and Magnolia (1887).

[65] Notable is equivalent to "Very Good."

[66] I was hungry and I had noting to eat, nor money. The illustrious Unamuno rightly observes in his letter enclosing his interpretation of the coded note: “This not having anything to eat and the dream that Leonor was unfaithful and her infidelity had no remedy are two details that reward the very little effort that I made to discover the key.” But Rizal ate finally at nine o’clock at night at the banquet given in honor of the painters Luna and Resurrección. It was there that he delivered the speech mentioned in the diary. . . . Rizal’s modesty was admirable. He does not even state that he was applauded, that he was at the same table as Moret, Labra, and other political personages. It is very true that far above this note of vanity that to him was of no account was the strong contrast of winning a prize in the competition in the morning and spending the afternoon without eating and without money. Hungry! Hungry! Precisely on the day he won in the competition!

As to the dream that Leonor had been unfaithful, this was fulfilled in a certain way, though much later, because she married an Englishman. Mr. Epifanio de los Santos says on this matter: “How could she marry a persecuted man? To become unfortunate? This recalls the advice of Fr. Damaso (in the Noli me tangere) to his daughter Maria Clara.” In another passage the same Mr. Santos says: “There exist pictures of Leonor drawn by Rizal. His own family assures that Rizal loved deeply his fiancée. When his sisters asked him what a Filipino woman should be, for an answer, Rizal referred them to his letters to Leonor. If they could get them they will find in them, mutatis mutandis, what the education of the women of his country should be. Unfortunately these letters were destroyed when Leonor married. Rizal didn’t love again, so far as it is known, until during his exile in Mindanao, he met Josephine. But this love for Josephine, what a different kind of love! (Retana, op cit., p. 90)

[67] It must be noted that in this copy of the diary are suppressed many small expenses frequently indicated, such as paper, that Rizal used to buy every three days, carfare, for which he spent about a peseta and a half monthly, and some postage stamps besides those he bought for the Philippines (the most costly) were all note down. (Supra, p. 91)