Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Others in 1891

068. Nellie Boustead, Biarritz, April 1891 *

Miss Boustead would like Rizal to embrace Protestantism before agreeing to marry him.

(Villa) Eliada

Biarritz

April, 1891

Most esteemed Rizal,

I was very surprised to receive your letter which happily arrived in the hands of my parents; on the other hand, because of the news that you have communicated to me, all of them have simply interpreted all my (words) wrongly!

When they wanted to know what my feelings towards (you) were, I told them that I could not manifest them before knowing whether you have decided to embrace Christianity [01] as I understand it and as it should be understood (by) those who cannot be at least capable of doing good without its (aid and) grace.  I know it is difficult to understand, I had the same experience, but it is so easily received if one would only take the trouble of asking in return with conviction because He [God – rly] gives freely.  I, myself, said that they should tell you that I want to wait willingly for some time so that you might study the case with calmness and in solitude without making haste, and, on the other hand, because I have promised you fidelity, because I said at it was necessary to wait, because in the end I have continued to be familiar with you in my last letters, to think that I have made of you (a simple toy) simple. . .  You do not understand (me) well then!  You are easily carried by the wave; if you could only be more disposed to hear the voice of Him [God – rly] who asks your heart and your service that would be better for two reasons.  For you and for us!

As stated, do you cede?  Since I shall ask you not to write me any more, I shall still give you another opportunity if you would accept it.  Ponder well on the requisite which I ask you and would always as if you end by convincing yourself, then come and we shall explain loud voice. . . he [Rizal - rly] who does not want to hear me.  Is this, then, why you want to return to Manila, then forever, I presume!  Go!  And on the other hand you excused yourself for having tormented me and you want to do so much more than what is necessary.

If I do not express to you my real feeling it is because you do not permit me, because I could not do so until you could have compiled with my condition.  I have finally finished the basket; Miss Johnson finds it very pretty.  I should like to have it better… but you know I am no Hidalgo, [03] I never could pretend to be one!  This is all and, waiting that you on your part have understood me better, I am always yours,

Very Sincerely

H

Pardon this hurriedly written (letter) because I am in a hurry.

_______________

[01] The original is not available.  This is an English translation.

[02] By which she means Protestantism.  She would like Rizal to embrace Protestantism before marrying him.  Rizal refused to do so.

[03] The Filipino painter Felix Resurrección Hidalgo.

=====

069. Edward Boustead, Biarritz, 2 April 1891

Thanks Rizal for news of friends in Paris – Weather in Biarritz is magnificent – Gives directions for locating a large shop with oriental objects – Is Felipe Engores a merchant or agent?  -- Isabel’s eyes are well and she is grateful to Rizal.

Biarritz, 2 April 1891

Mr. José Rizal

My Dear Friend,

Thanks for your letter of yesterday and for the news about our acquaintances and friends in Paris.  Well, we immediately wrote to the Roxases in order to reach them before they embark.  Thus they will go away more satisfied with us.

I feel cold reading your letter; here the weather is magnificent until now, but I fear that the north winds will come down upon us.

You say that the shop where I bought the cane has disappeared.  Look for the epicerie [01] on the opposite side of the Violet Inn, but going up towards Lafayette, and I am sure you will find it.  It is a large shop with many Oriental things on the sidewalk, Chinese jars, etc.

It has been sometime ago that Felipe Engores was in Paris.  Is it true that he is now a merchant or agent?

I am surprised to hear that Ramiriez is not thinking of coming to Biarritz.  I was surely expecting him!

Isabel is well and very grateful; she will take care not to look except at distant objects.

Au revoir! [French: goodbye with the implication of a temporary parting, until we meet again - rly] is your friend’s wish,

E. Boustead

_______________

[01] Grocery.

=====

070. Nellie Boustead, 24 April 1891

Fragment of a letter of Miss Boustead to Rizal – She talks about her religion – Wishes Rizal a happy trip home.

(Villa) Eliada

   Biarritz

      April 24, 1891

(. . . written) truly the (letter… into the) hands of my (parents . . .) again gathered here:

I see (that…) you are decided to leave (. . .) inasmuch as you have the (idea of defending yourself) against the attacks of your (enemies) making yourself the subject of another country provided it is not Spain (be)cause you will remain a “Filipino” as I am (. . .) being for the moment an English subject! … It is true that assuring one’s self of the protection of God, nothing can happen without His will but in the end He lets us also have the care of protecting ourselves.  He wants that His creatures should work also and not remain with crossed arms waiting for His aid.  He has given us sufficient intelligence for ourselves in the things of this (world) because this (. . .) intelligence does not (. . .) for he who looks (. . .)  He wants them that (we give Him our hearts) and ask His (help) and from His Spirit (to understand) what He wants of us.  (For) we, ourselves, are in ourselves capable, in spite of the extreme (ignorance) that we can have in understanding His precepts.  He gives us His blessing, His grace.  For those who are (and who) He has placed us in His services it is difficult, to understand and to (serve) but (once) in the current he who comes (near Him), he, who after having examined and studied what He has taught us by many of His servers, all results easy to him and notes that His yoke is easier to carry than that which the sciences here below offer us, those which are not founded but by (those) who want to impose their ideas and their (beliefs).  You tell me that you want to follow the laws of Christ.  Well then, I am very contented and I hope that the Lord will give you more learning, (God’s learning) in order to finish understanding them perfectly, then you and I (will join) to make these two sole (forces which) are the causes of these difficulties and our separation unnecessary.

If my real estates can constitute a motive for difficulties in the eyes of my parents, on my part and on that of God there is no other but “This Only Point,” once that is so, be a creature of God, an heir with me and with those who fulfill His will, of the Kingdom of heaven where we shall be with Him for all eternity.  I should like to know if this hope has sometimes crossed (your mind), if you sometimes have struggled to conquer (this crown) of life with those who simply want (to receive it), who are purified in the blood of the Lamb, not of the carnal lamb, but of the Son (of) God who gave His life for us (. . .) and who, by this resurrection has (opened) for us the door of (Heaven).  If you are really determined to continue this “career of careers,” I can not show you nothing (but a) Book and this is that which you undervalued (for having) read it with a spirit entirely distinct from he who (wants) to find the treasure which is (precious) to the world although it is so clearly demonstrated by those who thirst to (obtain) the security of the love of the Lord.  You will say that I am giving you a sermon here, but what more interesting than this do you want me to tell you?

This case is what concerns us most, it is the case in which you find yourself with (. . .) difficulty to understand.  I advise you noting is needed (but) for you to wait that he (. . .) God can give you the (. . . solution) made, it is necessary that you promise on your part, for one cannot (attain) any success without sacrifice.  (Thus as) you have the will for the (things) of the earth it is well that you have it in order to receive the riches from above.  Why do you speak to me so slightly of conquering or dying?  What would you want me to have if I let you die or to kill you with so much boredom?  If you wish that I think of you during your absence from this side of the globe, make it so that you return safe and safe.  It will be (perhaps too) bad for you but not (for) me if you will die!

You should remember how little disposed I was to (listen) when (you began) to tell me your (feelings) towards me; the same with yours as with those of any other; (wherefore) I ended in giving way thus as also (in) treating you familiarly it is true that I did not go further because I awaited your decision over the matter of my condition, and wile it is not complied with full conviction it will be hardly possible for me to show you anything more; this does not prevent, however, my sentiments, from being (other) than the assumed indifference (that) I apparently show; others may not understand but I (believe) that you have understood.  I have not promised you fidelity; may this promise not come out more than out of the mouth!  I whom you find, like other persons, so little communicative and (sparing) in words!

Now that you are leaving, I wish you a happy trip and may you triumph in your undertakings, and above all, may the Lord look down on you with favor and guide your way giving you much blessings, and may you learn to enjoy!  My remembrance will accompany you as are also my prayers.

Miss Johnson gave me your letters to read, those in (which) you tell something about me, (but never) those that she writes to you.  I beg you not to write anymore to me but if you want to, have me reach news about you by writing to Miss Johnson.  I shall content myself with that (now that) it is necessary that I resign) myself to separation.

Now and then I shall send you more news (because) it will be more easy for me; it will make you happy, I guess your thoughts!!

Good bye then!  remember, you must come back; ah! what if you meet some other woman down there!!!  I am happy; I must be, but it is so hard sometimes to be so, especially, having to do it in a home (... difficult ...) happy moment that (...) come better (...) and Miss Johnson are the persons that prevent...) me better. The others to keep the (...) go (...) close the mouth?

the eyes of auntie [01] are cured but I assure you that her "character" is not.

Finally, patience, always patience, may you some day not be obliged to (...) magnificent moonlight nights but (I...) out; for in the first place it is very humid on account of the frequent rains, and (...) headaches so that I abstain from being (...) not being with you any more!

What more excellent remedy you have given to my aunt to induce sleep!  Four days ago I thought I would become mad because of a headache and (in ...) only person, she and (c...) that have come (to me...) not knowing what to do, at last she thought of your remedy and gave me a portion, five minutes after I slept tranquilly having forgotten completely the pain, I assure you  shall have extreme care to preserve this prescription.  I must finish, for it is now late and I shall have to go tomorrow morning to my "Hymn practicing."

_______________

[01] Isabel, her aunt, mentioned in Mr. E. Boustead’s letter to Rizal.  See No. 68, previous.

NOTE: The translator was furnished a typewritten copy of this letter in English which appeared in the Philippines Herald. 29 December 1929, p. 3.  She has not seen the original.

=====

071. Nellie Boustead, Biarritz, 11 May 1891

She advises Rizal not to ask her parents for her hand – Her mother’s opposition

(Villa) Eliada

Biarritz

May 11, 1891

Rizal,

I have to give you a piece of advice that I believe will be well for you to follow at least for the moment.

It would have been preferable now that you have written to my parents in your second to the last letter, to stop asking for my hand for the time being, if you had not talked to them in the last one for although my father understands what it is, my mother, if she understands it, the least . . . does not like to understand it anymore.

She showed me the difficulties that might present themselves, that you are not so settled as to permit yours to maintain a family, etc. etc.  I answered her: “Rizal can do what he desires; he has told me that his intention is never to marry me before he has what he lacks in order to maintain a home; and on the other hand, I have shown him that I could not give him a categorical answer before he will have accepted the condition that I (have asked of him), José is free to do it or not to do it, and consequently I, for my part, am free to give or not to give my categorical answer to his sentiments towards me, that I like to believe – should be sincere.”  Lastly, it is too long to relate to you what I said: but one of the things that she said to me was, “that I should not fall into the illusion of believing myself (much) beloved, as she does not doubt that I do not possess anything attractive.”  I said that I hardly look at myself, but as to falling into illusions I believe it unlikely, because I have never . . . that I possessed nothing extraordinary and if I am beloved by someone, it is he that is responsible for his madness.

I should like to beg you not to write me anymore and I . . . to renew it to you, even thus if you write to Miss Johnson do not talk of me anymore because I see that she is not better than other persons, and that she, like others, would like nothing more than her own interests, she may yet compromise me!!  What I can say is that it is difficult to watch over a house in which many women like to wag their tongues and to usurp the one who should be, next to the owner of the house, the only person that gives orders; in this there is no way of being in the confidence of the others.  Happily I know how to turn my looks to the other side more easily and to beg the Lord to provide me with patience without which I believe that I shall lose my head.  I expect that this letter will be in your hands... some… friends, and that you… throw us through the gullet of the booty not waiting more but your press but that they should protect you on the contrary from the furor of their attacks.

H.

=====

072.  Rizal, Hong Kong, 21 December 1891 || To Mr. Macleod

Rizal thanks Mr. Macleod for the kindness he and his wife have shown his sister Lucia.

Remedios Terrace, Hong Kong

21 December 1891

Mr. Macleod

My dear Sir:

My sister Lucia, who has just arrived at this island, has told me so many times of the kindness that you, and especially your wife have bestowed on her that I believe it is my duty to write you to express to your our profound gratitude.  I beg you, therefore, to convey to your wife our gratitude in my name as well as in that of my family.  No one knows what the future may bring us: It is best to do good now so that it may be done also to us tomorrow.

With sincere consideration and respect, I am

Your most affectionate servant who kisses your hand.

José Rizal

=====

073. Rizal, Hong Kong, 23 December 1891 || To Governor Eulogio Despujol.

Rizal is considered the head of the progressive movement – He offers his cooperation to Despujol – To point out the ills of the country – To heal the wound of recent injustices – And preserve his native land for Spain – Liberal and just policy.

Petition to the Governor General of the Philippines

7 Remedios Terrace

Hong Kong, 23 December 1891

Most Excellent Eulogio Despujol

Governor General of the Philippines

Most Excellent Sir:

Your Excellency, upon the assumption of your office, issued an appeal to all those who love the welfare of the Philippines, Filipinos as well as Spaniards.  Your Excellency is in a deeply demoralized country which is on the eve of falling into a lamentable skepticism that may bring about a crisis.  I consider your action the act of a prudent administrator and a man of goodwill.

I too, Most Excellent Sir, am one of those who live the welfare of their native country and I am ready to sacrifice everything for her, my past and my future, as I have been doing, suffering and waiting resignedly, because I have faith in the justice of her cause.  For good or ill men have placed me at the head of the progressive movement in the Philippines and they have attributed to me a certain influence on her aspirations.  If your Excellency believes that my humble services can be useful to you to point out to you the ills of the country and help you heal the wound of your recent injustices, you have only to say so, and trusting in your word of honor that my freedom as a citizen will be respected, I will immediately place myself at your orders, and Your Excellency will then see and will be able to judge the loyalty of my conduct and the sincerity of my word.

If you reject my offer, Your Excellency will know better than anyone else what you are doing, but my conscience will be at peace in the future.  I have done all that I ought to do to keep my country for Spain, without forsaking my love for her well-being, by means of a solid policy based on justice and common interests.

Hoping to have the honor of receiving a reply, I am, Your Excellency, with profound respect, your loyal servant who kisses your hand.

José Rizal