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# 124 Spanish charge
d'affaires invites Rizal to his hotel room -- Yokohama and Manila compared
-- Japanese men and women -- Impression of Tokyo
Tokyo, 1 March 1888
My dear parents and brothers:
Here I am in the capital city of the Japanese Empire, leading again my
solitary and vagabond life in Europe. I left Hong Kong on the 22nd of
February on the Oceanic and arrived at Yokohama on the 28th after having
been very seasick during the voyage. Scarcely have I settled myself in the
hotel, after two minutes or less, I received a message from the chargé
d'affaires of Spain, requesting me to go to his room. I don't know how he
learned of my recent arrival. He and the secretary received me
affectionately and until now they have behaved toward me in a manner that
leaves nothing to be desired.
Yokohama is a city inferior to Manila with regard to its external aspect. A
portion of it has been ceded to the Europeans, a portion which I believe
they call a "concession", according to a traveler. The Japanese, of course,
occupy the greater portion of the city in low odd-looking houses, like the
little houses or cages of rabbits, very clean, with paper walls, white mats
on the floor, lattices, etc. etc. They make no noise; loud voices are not
heard; they sit quietly in their stores.
The Japanese women are short, stout, fair and their cheeks are red. Their
hair is stiffer and thicker than ours, and I have seen few with good
dentures. There are some who have big eyes. Some of the men are dressed in
European style and they resemble greatly those from Biñan.
Yedo or Tokyo is very big; they say that it is bigger than Paris; it has a
million inhabitants. Manila is more beautiful, but this is more imposing
because of its somber edifices, of its wide streets, and cyclopean walls.
Within a few days I will embark for San Francisco.
I kiss affectionately the hand of my parents and an embrace for my brothers
and brothers-in-law.
José
Send me the copy to London
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# 125 Description of the
City of Rome -- Many languages are spoken aboard
Irish Sea,
On board the City of Rome
24 May 1888
My dear parents and brothers,
I begin writing this letter on board with the intention of finishing it on
land when I shall already be installed at London.
We left New York on 16 instant on the second largest ship in the world, the
largest being the Great Eastern, which is not in operation. So that you may
have an idea of the size of this monster, I'll tell you that it has three
chimneys and consumes three tons of coal daily. It is more than 200 varas
(1) long and 18 varas wide, and has 12,000 horsepower for which it has 63
boilers. The promenade deck alone is 140 varas long. A newspaper is
published on board once during the voyage for the benefit of the passengers.
The officers and crew are 276; we, the passengers, are 604. We have had a
bad trip, very rough sea, excessive wind, and much seasickness. For this
reason we spent eight days and hours on the trip. Tonight we arrive at
Liverpool; from there I shall go to London. On board we used to have
concerts for which there were a piano and an organ for the Sunday religious
services.
I expect letters from you to London.
I sent you before some poems written in Germany. Please send me a copy as
soon as it is possible.
(The ship's dining room is 24 varas long and 18 varas wide.)
On the ship I made some friends among Americans and Englishmen and many
families. One hears almost all languages spoken. There are two travelers who
talk only with me: A Japanese and a Spaniard who know only their respective
languages. The Spaniard is a young man who went as a boy to Mexico and is
returning with hard-earned money; he is a young man . . . (illegible)
_____________
(1) The vara was an old unit of linear measure in Spain and Spanish America.
It varied from about 31 to 33 inches in length.
===============
# 126 He didn't find
letters from home upon arrival -- His trip from Liverpool to London -- He
boards with an English family -- Sunday at London is boring
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.
London, 12 June 1888
On my arrival here I found some letters of Blumentritt and Llorente but none
from you or from the family. This is quite surprising to me and I cannot
guess the reason. I suppose that the mail cannot be blamed for it. Now I
write from my new residence whose address I have placed at the head of this
letter. If your letters have not been lost you can write me with this
address:
J. Rizal, Esq.
37 Chalcot Crescent
Primrose Hill N.W.
London, England
Continuing this letter I'll tell you that on the same day of the 24th we
arrived at Liverpool where I spent the night at the Adelphi Hotel. (Here a
plate of turtle soup costs more than a peso). Liverpool is a big and
beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its great fame. The
entrance is magnificent and the customhouse is quite good.
The following day, the 25th, we left by the Midland Railway for London and
the road is very beautiful; the land is cultivated with neat and pretty
house, and big factories. In the afternoon we reached London ad we stopped
at the Grand Hotel Midland. From there I went to look for my letters, house,
etc. At first I lodged at a house on Beresford Road, but afterward I didn't
like it and after a week I left it and came here to live with a private
family. I'm not badly off; I've two rooms, one for sleeping, small and quite
warm, and another for studying, writing, and receiving callers. The family
consists of the husband and wife, four daughters, and two sons. The
daughters are called Gertrude (Tottie), Blanche (Sissie), Flory, and Grace;
the first two, who are already young women, have sweethearts. Tottie sings
very well and Sissie accompanies her. (They are pronounced Toti, Sisi.) One
son is employed and the other sings in the church. Board and room cost me at
least 45 pesos. In England everything is dearer than in other parts of
Europe.
Sundays here are very boring; every place is closed, there are neither shops
nor theaters, and if music is played, it is only religious music. Hardly can
one see a poor coach going through the streets. I spend Sunday afternoon at
the home of a German doctor who has a collection of books on the Philippines
and who is very amiable. There I take tea with the family. This gentleman
who is called Doctor Rost paid for a Tagalog by Fr. Ortiz the sum of 40
pesos. I have here the grammar for he loaned it to me.
Through this mail I'm sending Eusebio his eyeglasses. I have to send him
English glasses for I've not yet gone to France. Later on I shall send him
French glasses.
Here there are very good hunting rifles. If my brothers-in-law want them,
let them write to me. Its price is not more than 70 pesos; there are cheaper
ones.
Tell me if you have received all that I have sent you: letters, picture of
my sister Olimpia, combs, vaccine, etc., etc. Write me so that I may not
believe that letters get lost.
You can also send me letters in one envelope addressed to the Spanish
Counsel:
21 Billiter Street E.C.
London.
With nothing more, love to all, may you continue united and in good harmony.
Your son and brother who loves you dearly,
José Rizal
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# 127 At London again --
Engaged in his studies -- Awaiting letters from his family -- Remembers his
relatives
Undated (London, 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.)
June, 1888 (?)
My dear brothers:
Upon arriving in Europe, my first letters were for you there, our parents,
and my brothers-in-law. With this letter I shake your hands, the last this
time of my greeting from Europe.
Though in the short time I was there, we saw one another only for brief
moments and a few times, the affection, however that I profess you has not
lessened.
Here I am in London amid the European bustle, devoted anew to my studies. If
sometimes it occurs to you to write me, you can send your letters, through
the Consul, Primrose Hill, N.W., London.
I wish you would remain healthy and happy. (I suppose that by this time Sra.
María must have already recovered).
Give my affectionate regards to Ate (1) Felipa, coya (2) Yñigo, Ate Vita,
and Danday and the daughters of Ate Pasia. If any other relative remembers
me, give him my regards.
Your brother,
José Rizal
_______________
(1) A respectful form of address for an older female relative.
(2) A respectful form of address for an older male relative.
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# 128 Banished to
Tagbilaran without trial for being a filibustero and Rizal's
representative -- Denounced by the Dominican syndicate and its satellites
NOTE: This letter was originally published in the Epistolario Rizalino, II,
pp. 56-57. It has many missing words but, unfortunately, the original is
lost.
Cebú 15 October 1888
Mr. José Rizal
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.
My dear brother,
As I have told you in my previous letter of the 6th instant, I am banished
as a preventive measure by decree of the Superior Government to the town of
Tagbilaran, capital of the province of Bohol for being a filibustero, your
representative, and other things that have piled upon me. These were the
object or the cause of that measure according to Mr. Quiroga, (1) director
general of civil administration, who was kind enough to inquire of the
general (2) in order to let me know, for as usual the proceedings were done
behind my back or of the interested party, without hearing me . . . I
suppose and it seems to me . . . that the syndic Father Francisco Bogeas was
the one who denounced me to the civil governor of the province who succeeded
Ordax, Mr. Eugenio del Saz Orozco, former professor at the University and
friend of the Dominicans. The lieutenant of the civil guard of the town Mr.
N. or Juan López, also a friend of the friars of the Hacienda and my enemy
-- who once, when we were talking, told me many things against you, that
besides he saw that I was the only one who did not greet him, and that I was
watching his steps -- confirmed the denunciation of Panong (Cipriano Rubio,
former lieutenant and acting gobernadorcillo). Capitán Lucas and Quico said
the same thing. The first is resentful of me because when I was
directorcillo (secretary) of the court there occurred a robbery with murder
in which his son Isidro and the son of Periquet, relative or grandson of
Capitán Quico, where involved . . . The second was an old enemy of mine in a
lawsuit over tenants which he lost. I did not present any petition or
complaint nor did I see the general, because all this is futile here. There
it may be useful and so I sent you my power of attorney. If it can be fixed
there soon, how I would appreciate it! But consider well the method that
ought to be used, because the general can commit outrages, which is the
normal thing here. If I were in another country, it would not matter to me.
I remind you that when the Ministry, through the Senate, asked Vice Governor
Moltó, acting governor general of these Islands, if filibusterismo existed
in the province of Bulacan, he replied that not only in Bulacan but nowhere
did filibusterismo exist. Moreover, the New Penal Code provides for the
inviolability of domicile, the Laws of the Indies say that the native . . .
on Saturday night, 6th instant, I arrived here by the mail boat. On Tuesday,
the 9th, we were made to endure three days of observations and we did not
land until Friday the 12th. Tomorrow I shall continue my trip to Tagbilaran,
which is six hours by banca. The trip has cost me about 25 to 30 pesos, with
one servant. When I left, Paciano and Mariano were convalescing from
malaria. If you succeed, advise me by telegraph . . . that he may provide
for my needs, as it is to be desired. For me nothing . . . against me all
the calamities . . . family. However, heaven willed that I should submit and
do all that is humanly possible.
It has been two months since I wrote Mr. Eduardo Lete about the new
publication España en Filipinas and until now I have not received an answer.
From here your brother who loves you and embraces you greets you. At another
time I shall send you money.
M. T. Hildago
_____________
(1) Benigno Quiroga Ballesteros
(2) The governor general
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Letters
Between Rizal and Family - 1888
