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Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Others in 1886
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Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Others in 1886
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034. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 14 February 1886 Receives Rizal’s letter from Strasbourg – About the Filipino colony in Madrid – Asks Rizal to tell him about the German people. 035. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 19 March 1886 Greetings on his Saint’s Day – Loss of personal effects – Inquires about Rizal’s plans.
036. Rizal, Heidelberg, 24 April 1886 || to Pastor Ullmer Rizal goes to Wilhelmsfeld to learn how to speak good German – He would like to lodge in Pastor Ullmer’s house.
037. José M. Cecilio, Manila, May 1886 Leonor remains in Dagupan – More news about friends – Asks Rizal for a favor.
038. José Rizal, Heidelberg, 26 June 1886 || To Pastor Ullmer Rizal’s difficulty in changing Spanish money – He is grateful for the kindness of Pastor Ullmer’s family.
039. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 21 June 1886 Financial difficulties of Rizal.
040. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 7 July 1886 No occurrence in the Madrid colony – He is determined to spend summer at Paris.
041. F. Zeferenz and E. Arnirum, 14 July 1886 The German Chess Club notifies Rizal of his admission as a member of the club. This letter is published in Spanish in Retana’s Vida y escritos del Dr. José Rizal (Madrid, 1907) page 104. Rizal is mistakenly addressed as a “law student.”
042. Rizal, Berlin, 2 November 1886 || To Pastor Ullmer Rizal informs Pastor Ullmer of his arrival at Berlin – He likes Berlin better than Leipzig. –— 034. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 14 February 1886 Receives Rizal’s letter from Strasbourg – About the Filipino colony in Madrid – Asks Rizal to tell him about the German people. Madrid, 14 February 1886 Mr. José Rizal This morning I received your card in which you announced to me that you are now in that city. Also we have received from Eduardo the letter you addressed us from Strasbourg. We are informed of your doings and I am especially pleased to read about what you have seen in your travels in that place. Your letter came on time. We were ready to leave the house the following day, each one to live wherever he pleased. Therefore, our triumvirate was totally dissolved, which had lately been reduced to duumvirate. This was not due to displeasures between us but to the scandalous landladies who continually meddle with us and other things more that you already know. Lete is going to live at No. 8 Apodaca Street with Esteban and Figueroa, because these two were thrown out by the owner of the house for failure to pay the rent one time and for this reason they decided to take the second floor on that street. I plan to go to Nos. 1 and 13, Peligros Street, where I have found a room with an office and alcove in a principal floor and have a balcony overlooking the street. Likewise, I have decided to avoid the bother of going out to eat for they will serve me breakfast, lunch and dinner here at the modest price of 24 duros a month. Later, I shall write you of their treatment of me. The house – I don’t know if you remember – is on the corner of the Caballeros de Gracia Street and it is a house which is neither very ugly either inside or outside. I must not tell you anything because I understand that everything you plan and do is according to your honest judgment and I avoid speaking to you about the matter. But, as for me, I would not have had the courage to hazard making a trip such as you have undertaken, especially in this epoch and circumstances that may hinder my purpose. Perhaps you are alone there, which is considerably far from here, which at one time was your residence. On thinking that you are many leagues from us, it seems to me that there is no such distance and I even imagine that we see you face to face. I have learned that some Germans eat buffet style, that you are in one of the mot beautiful cities of southern Germany [Heidelberg -rly], and at one of her notable universities. Tell me something, should you write me, about the life, customs, character, and usages of that people. Another thing they told me is that there is found there a castle Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg_Castle that belongs to the Middle Ages. Farewell, Pepe, I am glad that country agrees with you well and I await your news in the future. You know that I am your ever unforgettable friend, who embraces you heartily, Ceferino P.S. The Suyas [a colloquial term for the Chinese but here reference to Filipino colleagues of Rizal who are mistaken for Chinese in Europe – rly] are all well; they send you many regards.
====== 035. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 19 March 1886 Greetings on his Saint’s Day – Loss of personal effects – Inquires about Rizal’s plans. Mr. José Rizal Dear Pepe, Not very long ago I wrote you replying to a letter of yours, but now I write you again to send you my felicitation on your Saint’s Day. I do not forget this day and may this letter reach you on time so that it may be the bearer of a tight embrace that your true friend presents you. Likewise, several members of the colony send you their regards and may you live many years. I had ill luck at home. In an interval of one hour they stole my watch and chain in addition to two pesetas in the pocket of my vest hanging on the clothes rack in my office. As soon as I discovered it, I suspected the maid who had been cleaning the room while I was eating lunch. I was going to immediately report this unfortunate event to the authorities but the owner of the house intervened, begging me not to carry out my plan and telling me that she would assume responsibility for my jewels, because it would damage her. I estimated the value and I ordered her to buy me a silver watch and to give me the price of my chain which I told her was worth more than one thousand reales and which was a family heirloom. How are you? You say nothing about your life. We had the carnival here which went from bad to worse in its decadence. There was nothing more than masks of the worst kind. Are you going to Paris in the summer? Answer me so that I can prepare myself. Farewell, Pepe, I repeat, may you live many years. Your friend who embraces you heartily, Ceferino
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036. Rizal, Heidelberg, 24 April 1886 || to Pastor Ullmer
Rizal goes to Wilhelmsfeld to learn how to speak good German – He would like to lodge in Pastor Ullmer’s house.
To the Reverend Pastor Ullmer At Wilhelmsfeld
Reverend Sir Pastor: I promised to write you in case I should decide to remain in the country for a few weeks. Since you have had the kindness to secure a boarding-house for me, on Sunday evening, if the weather is fine, I shall be in Wilhelmsfeld. I have been told that the inhabitants of Wilhelmsfeld do not speak correct German but a dialect. If I were not afraid of imposing upon your kindness, I would ask you, if possible, to let me live with you instead of with someone else, r I shall not only live with a respectable family, whose friendship I value so highly, but I will also speak good German, which to me is the main thing. However, if this is impossible or inconvenient for you, I will take the room which you may consider good, whatever it may be. I am sending my regards to all your lovable family. Accept in advance my thanks and the assurance of my profound esteem. J. Rizal Heidelberg, 24 April 1886
===== 037. José M. Cecilio, Manila, May 1886 Leonor remains in Dagupan – More news about friends – Asks Rizal for a favor. 91 Malinta, Binondo, . . . May 1886 Mr. José Rizal y Mercado My distinguished Friend and Namesake and dear Dr. Co-Babylonian, I had been confined in bed on account of piles for a month when I received from the hands of our dear friend and very loyal countryman Mr. . . . (damaged portion) your letter dated in Germany in which you ask me to introduce the said gentleman to our old girl friends and to my acquaintances. As you will understand, on account of my weak condition that did not permit me to go out, to my regret, it was not possible for me to please our countryman and you, too; but I hope for a better occasion. Had I not been in that condition I would have introduced your great friend to “I” inclusive, because it is enough to be recommended by you to dispel my fear of consequences of any kind. The beautiful but frail Question of the Orient [Leonor Rivera – rly] remains in Dagupan, living beside her parents who dote on her. Our friend, Sixto Lopez, visited me about a month ago and he related to me that he had been in that town, lunching and dining at the house of those people during the few days he stayed there for the purpose of storing up rice. This young man is more enthusiastic than before about the “Question” whom he finds every day more precious and economical, for, according to him, now she no longer dresses so extravagantly as when we were boarders at their house . . . (This portion of the latter is damaged). Our Valenzuela girl friends remain in good health and, besides, are very charming and unaffected. Titay remains a widow with three children, if I am not mistaken. Candeng is merry and amused because she has not even half a child. Orang is surrounded by sighing Moros. [Slang for Filipino Muslims but here, no doubt, of local Filipinos – rly] “M” continues with her relations with Miciano. The three cousins of Mabolo remain single: Mentang is pursued by Attorney “P”; Tentay by the “Quevedo Pagsangeño”; and Oñang by “S. de C.” brother of Fr. Luis, native of Balayan, brother of Sebastiana. The beautiful Feliza, granddaughter of the landlord, married some months ago Sixto Carlos of Biñang, widower and with children besides. The elegant “M.”, I believe, has no fiancée. I am told that Vicente Jocson is in Manila studying law and already cured of his ailment, but he has not yet visited his former fiancée until now. Well . . . (This portion of the letter is damaged.) Gella is now a lawyer since the 12 . . . (damaged) I am going to
conclude this letter by bothering you. I have 14 years, more or less, of
service to the State as clerk at the Intendencia General de Hacienda Publica
(General Administration of Public Finance) and nearly 3 years as aspirant,
first class, to the Official of the Central Administration of Revenues and
Properties, under the aforesaid office. I have a salary of 800 pesos a year
but I do not expect, nor do I want, any promotion, because the posts in the
public administration of these Islands are not a career. However, there is
an office which is the Territorial Exchequer whose employees have a
permanent character and fixed promotion. I would appreciate it very greatly
if you could speak at your convenience to our eminent painter, Luna, so that
I may be transferred to the said Exchequer with an appointment as fourth
class Assistant Official, fifth class, with 300 pesos salary and 700 pesos
additional pay yearly (total
It is a very great favor for which your Namesake will be eternally grateful to you. I wish you every kind of prosperity. José M. Cecilio P.S. This is written by my brother and not read by me afterwards.
===== 038. José Rizal, Heidelberg, 26 June 1886 || To Pastor Ullmer Rizal’s difficulty in changing Spanish money – He is grateful for the kindness of Pastor Ullmer’s family. Heidelberg, 26 June 1886 To the Reverend Pastor Ullmer (Esquire) Dear Sir Pastor: This morning I visited all the banks in order to change this note, but I did not find any which honors Spanish notes; they are giving me only two days to send this note to Parish, while they assure me that the notes will be sold. Since I have promised to give you the money this very day, I did not agree with them. Either keep this note (100 pesetas = 100 francs) until I get francs, that is, next week, or, if you are in a hurry, send it back to me tomorrow through Fredrich, in order that I may have it changed on Tuesday or Wednesday. Yesterday, after I had gone half of the way, I suddenly saw Barle running behind me. In spite of the stone which I threw at him and despite all my efforts, I did not succeed in sending him back. For a long while, he followed me at a distance; finally I decided to take him along since Friedrich is going home today. I gave him a nice supper (milk and bread) and the people here were kind to him, the . . . Barle however barked and growled much at midnight. At every arriving student, he made such a great noise as if he were very brave and alert. From Sanne, I also received in good condition everything that I had left; and therefore I thank you very much once more. May you also receive, when you are abroad, the same treatment and friendship as I have found among you; and if, being a foreigner, I can do nothing for you in a foreign country, I can be of some service to you in my homeland, where you will always find a good friend, if I do not die, of course. The joy at being understood by other people is so great that one cannot easily forget it. You understood me too, in spite of my brown skin, which to many people is yellow, as if that were puzzling or absurd; fortunately, it is gradually becoming lighter to many; for example, to the landlady in Heilig Steinach; but unfortunately, not all people are landladies. I greet you with all my heart Mrs. Ulmer and Eta and wish you a most happy future. Your good friend, Rizal
===== 039. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 21 June 1886 Financial difficulties of Rizal. Madrid, 27 June 1886 Mr. José Rizal Dear Pepe, I received your letter and I’m informed of its content. I immediately looked for money and fortunately I found some as it happened that my friend had money. The ring is already pawned. I should like to know if this letter reaches you. The enclosed bill is French so that you can exchange it there easier. If possible I’m going to Paris. I’m waiting for a letter from Manila and before I leave this place, I shall write you that you may be informed and may write Luna about it and I’m going to write him also. We are all well. Some are in the provinces and I don’t know who are going there in the summer. This is all, many regards, and command your friend, Ceferino Bill: 100 francs.
===== 040. Ceferino de León, Madrid, 7 July 1886 No occurrence in the Madrid colony – He is determined to spend summer at Paris. Madrid, 7 July 1886 Mr. José Rizal Dear Pepe, I write you again to find out if you have received a registered letter with the amount of 100 pesetas that I sent you more than a week ago. As I have not received your reply, I doubt if it has reached you. If you have not received it, I should like you to answer me so that I can take the necessary step in case of loss. I am determined to spend this summer at Paris, for one or two months Before leaving this place, I will let you know; otherwise, perhaps when I am already in Paris. It is almost sure that I shall make the trip between the 15th and 20th of this month, stopping at Biarritz for a couple of weeks and from there I leave for the neighboring capital. However, I believe I would be there without failure in the last fortnight of the coming month and even before (the middle of August). Nothing happens in the colony. All are well and healthy. Our friend Tiangco will depart for Manila within a few days, having been appointed fiscal of Barotac Viejo, and for this reason he intends to embark on the first of next month. He will leave is capital between the 12 and the 15 to catch to boat at Cadiz or Valencia. I am glad that you are in good health. Moreover, I hope that we shall meet somewhere if Providence so disposes, though it is not logical that we shall do so. Ever yours, Ceferino
===== 041. F. Zeferenz and E. Arnirum, 14 July 1886 The German Chess Club notifies Rizal of his admission as a member of the club. This letter is published in Spanish in Retana’s Vida y escritos del Dr. José Rizal (Madrid, 1907) page 104. Rizal is mistakenly addressed as a “law student.” Heidelberg, 14 July 1886 Mr. José Rizal, Law Student We take the liberty of informing you that you have been admitted a member of the German Chess Club beginning today. We beg you to please attend punctually its meetings. F. Zeferenz E. Arnirum
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042. Rizal, Berlin, 2 November 1886 || To Pastor Ullmer Rizal informs Pastor Ullmer of his arrival at Berlin – He likes Berlin better than Leipzig. Central Hotel Berlin Dear Reverend Pastor Ullmer: Yesterday, I arrived at this large city where I intend to spend five or six months. My new residence is on Jaegerstrasse No. 71, third floor. I was two months in Leipzig and a few days in Dresden; I also visited Halle. At Leipzig, I met Dr. Hans Meyer, the author of the dictionary. He is a very likeable young man. I also exercised much; and although I liked Leipzig very much, I liked Berlin better because of its beauty. I have nothing more to tell you except that I am very well. Yours very truly, Rizal Berlin, 2 November 1886 _______________ The original is in German.
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RIZAL'S LIFE |
RIZAL'S WRITINGS |
KIDS REFLECTIONS |
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1,000).
I suppose that our celebrated countryman ought to enjoy the support of
someone if not of all the ministers and therefore if he desires to please
you, he could obtain my wish. Right now I remember that you, as well as Mr.
Luna, must be on friendly terms with Mr. Moret, present minister of colonies
overseas. I ought to warn you that in that Exchequer there is a section
called Arrears which will be suppressed if they continue diminishing, it is
heard. Therefore, I beg you to take care that I am not given any position
in that section which is only a patch on the Exchequer, for it was recently
created, and I believe that the arrears have already disappeared so that
perforce they have to suppress it.
