Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Others in 1881

011. Leonor Rivera, Manila, 2 January 1881

 She explains why she has not written Rizal – She is happy to receive his letters.

012. Cabrera, Banson, and Lansam, Manila, 25 May 1881

Rizal’s friends are waiting for him – They use the names of The Three Musketeers, Dumas’ celebrated novel.

013. From Taimis (Leonor Rivera), Manila, 28 December 1881

She chides Rizal for not writing her.

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011. Leonor Rivera, Manila, 2 January 1881

She explains why she has not written Rizal – She is happy to receive his letters.

Manila, 2 January 1891

Esteemed Friend,

I received your letter dated 30 of last Month and I am informed of its contents.

If I have not answered your letters it was not because I am bored corresponding with you.  In fact twice I wrote replies, but on the day I id so nobody came to visit me at the college, [01] so I destroyed them, and besides I was already embarrassed.

I am doubtful if the letter is yours because the signature is different.  Perhaps you have put another name, fearing that I might despise it and if I despise it, it will not be your name that will be despised but somebody else’s.  If that is what you think, you are mistaken for you do not know how glad I am when I receive one of your dear letters; but you did well in putting another name in case, as you say, it may fall into the hands of strangers.

Command your servant who kisses your hand, [02]

Taimis [03]

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[01] Leonor Rivera (1867-1893) was then a boarding student at the Colegio de la Immaculada Concepción, popularly called Colegio de la Concordia, established in La Concordia at Sta. Ana, Manila, former country-place of the donor and founder of the school, the philanthropist Mrs. Margarita Roxas de Ayala.  Rizal’s sisters also studied here.

[02] This is a formal closing of a Spanish letter.

[03] Leonor Rivera used this code name as she wrote Rizal.

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012. Cabrera, Banson, and Lansam, Manila, 25 May 1881

Rizal’s friends are waiting for him – They use the names of The Three Musketeers, Dumas’ celebrated novel.

Manila, 25 May 1881

Mr. José Rizal

Friend Rizal,

Aramis and Athos [the names of two of the Three Musketeers - rly] with all their families are already here; they came on the 23 instant, but they are sad for not seeing their chief, Treville. [Monsieur de Treville was the head of the King’s Musketeers and treats them as his own sons.  In this case they refer to Rizal. - rly] We should like therefore that upon receiving this, if your pursuits permit you will please come, so that our sadness may be converted into joy.  Moreover, all are anxious to see you, especially the musketeers and your Aunt Betang.

Your very affectionate friends,

Felicano Cabera

Leoncio Banson

H. Lansam

Kind regards to your Aunt Concha and your cousin Leonor for all of you and a kiss and an embrace for you.

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013. From Taimis (Leonor Rivera), Manila, 28 December 1881

She chides Rizal for not writing her.

Manila, 28 December 1881

Esteemed José,

I would be glad if you are in good health and happy on the receipt of this letter.

I was very much surprised that you had a letter for Papa and none for me; but at first, when they told me about it, I did not believe it, because I did not expect that a person like you would do such a thing.  But later I was convinced that you are like a newly opened rose, very flushed and fragrant at the beginning, but afterwards it begins to wither.  Before, however, when I did not write you, you wrote me, but now, no more.  It seems that you have imitated my example when I went to Antipolo [01] and you have done wrong because I was not at my own house, and besides you know very well that you cannot hide anything from those girls.  I could very well write to Papa, but in order that you might not say anything, I did not, though Mama had ordered me to do so.  You cannot have these pretexts because you are at your home and nobody meddles with you.  Truly I tell you that I am very resentful for what you have done and for another thing that I will tell you later when you come.

Excuse the writing and all the mistakes you find in it. [02] Command at your pleasure your true servant who kisses your hand.

Tamis

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[01] Antipolo is a town now in Rizal Province that is famous for its miraculous Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage and a popular summer resort.

[02] This is just a girlish letter.  Leonor was then only 14 years old.