Chapter 14

Rizal In London(1888 - 1889)

Stay in LondonLived in London in May 1888 to March 1889

3 reasons why he stayed in London: To improve his knowledge of the English

language To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de

las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands)

London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny

Stay in LondonHe engaged in Filipiniana studies

Completed annotating Morga’s book

Wrote many articles for La Solidaridad in defense of his people against Spansih critics

Penned a famous letter to the young women of Malolos

Had a romance with Gertrude Beckett

Trip Across the AtlanticMade friends in his voyage

Amazed and entertained American and European passengers

Had a chat with newspaper men but became disappointed

Rizal arrived at Liverpool, England, on May 24, 1888 and stayed at Adelphi Hotel

Trip Across the Atlantic

“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”.

Life in LondonWent to London on May 25, 1888

He stayed as a guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor

By the end of May, he became a boarder of the Beckett family (No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill)

Life in LondonHe came to know Dr. Reinhold Rost. Dr.

Rost called Rizal “a pearl of a man”(una perla de hombre)

Rizal spent much of his time in the British Museum and visiting Dr. Regidor

He played cricket and boxed w/ Dr. Rost’s sons

News from Home, Good and Bad

Bad NewsPersecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the

“Anti-Friar Petition of 1888”Persecution of Calamba tenantsFurious attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and

Vida in the Spanish Cortes and by Desengaños (Wenceslao E. Retana) and Quioquiap (Pablo Feced) in Spanish newspapers

Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo was exiled to Bohol w/o due process of law

Laureano Viado, his friend was arrested and jailed in Bilibid Prison because copies of the Noli were found in his house

News from Home, Good and Bad

Good NewsRev. Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli

against the attacks of the friars

Later, on January 7, 1891 he wrote to Father Garcia to express his personal thanks.

Annotating Morga’s Book

He spent many days in the reading room of the British Museum poring over the pages of Morga’s book and laboriously reading the old histories of the Philippines

Mariano Ponce urged him to edit a newspaper but he refused

Annotating Morga’s BookOn September 17, 1888, Rizal wrote to

Blumetritt

“Morga’s work is an excellent book; it can be said that Morga is a modern scholarly explorer. He does not have the superficiality and exaggeration which are found among Spaniards

today: he writes very simply, but one has to read between the lines.....”

British Museum

Dr. Reinhold Rost

Short Visit to Paris and Spain

On September 1888 he visited Paris for a week to search for more historical materials in Bibliotheque Nationale

Entertained in gay French Metropolis by Juan Luna and his wife (Paz Pardo de Tavera)

On December 11, 1888, he went to Spain and there he met Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce

Bibliotheque Nationale

Christmas in London Rizal returned to London on Dec. 24, 1888 and spent

his Christmas and new year ‘s day with the Becketts

He sent as a gift to Blumentritt and Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar), he gave as Christmas gift a bust of Julius Caesar

Received a gift from Mrs. Beckett

Mrs. Beckett, knowing of his interest I magic, gave him a book entitled “The Life and Adventure of Valentine Vox, The Ventriloquist”

Rizal becomes Leader of Filipinos in Europe

Rizal learned of the Asociacion La Solidaridad (Inaugurated on December 31, 1888)

Officers of Solidaridad AssociationPresident: Galicano ApacibleVice ~ President: Graciano Lopez JaenaSecretary: Manuel Santa MariaTreasurer: Mariano PonceAccountant: Jose Ma. Panganiban

Rizal becomes Leader of Filipinos in Europe

By unanimous vote of all the members, Rizal was chosen to be honorary president

He wrote a letter of thanks addressed to La Solidaridad on Jan. 28, 1889, With the following advice:

The individual should give way to the welfare of the society

Great deal of integrity and much good willThrift, thrift, thrift. Seriousness and equal justice

for all

Rizal and the La Solidaridad Paper

On February 15, 1889, Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in Barcelona, where he was then residing. This was a fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the propaganda movement

Its aims were as follows: To work peacefully for political and social reforms; To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so

that Spain may remedy them; To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism; To advocate liberal ideas and progress; To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino

people to life, democracy, and happiness.

Rizal and the La Solidaridad Paper

Rizal congratulated GracianoLopez Jaena and the associates and wrote articles

He advised Gracino Lopez Jaena that great care should be taken in publishing only the truth in La Solidaridad, “Be Careful” and “There is no need for knaveries”

First Article in La Solidaridad Rizal’s first article which appeared in La solidaridad was entitled

Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers) Published Mar. 25, 1889 Depicted the deplorable conditions in the Philippines which

cause the backwardness of the country. He wrote:

The Filipino farmers has to struggle not only against petty tyrants and robbers.Against the first, defense indeed was permitted; against the latter not always…

After the floods, locusts, fires, bad harvests, and the like the farmer capitalist has to deal with constable who takes away from his laborer s for personal service, some public works repair of roads, bridges and others; with the civil guards who arrests them for various reasons sometimes for not carrying with them their personal cedulas (certificates) for not saluting properly,

First Article in La SolidaridadFor being suspicious persons or for no reason

whatsoever, and they manacle them to clean the barracks and thus compel the capitalist to live on better terms with the chief and, if not, they take away his carabaos, oxen, inspite of many protests.

At times it is not the constable or the civil guard who opposes so indirectly the minister of colonies. An official of the court or the provincial government, dissatisfied with the farmer, urgently summons this or that laborer, if not two or three. The unfortunate man underyakes a tripof two or three days, uneasy and distrustful, spends his savings, arrives, presents himself, waits, returns the next day and waits, finally to be asked a frown and the look of a judge, abstruse and unknown things. He is lucky if he comes out free from questioning, for not infrequently after it, he is sent to jail from which he comes out lateras stupid as before.

WRITINGS IN LONDONRizal wrote a pamphlet entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez) which was published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas Alang

He wrote the famous “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos” (February 22, 1889) in Tagalog

In response to Dr. Rost’s request, Rizal prepared two articles – (1) “Specimens of Tagal Folklore” which was published in the journal in May, 1889; and (2) “Two Eastern Fables”, published in June 1889

ROMANCE WITH GERTRUDE BECKETT

Rizal had a romantic interlude with the oldest of the three Beckett sisters – Gertrude, Gettie, as she was affectionately called, was a buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks

Their friendship drifted towards romance

Rizal affectionately called her “Gettie,” in reciprocation, she fondly called him “Pettie”

ROMANCE WITH GERTRUDE BECKETT

As their flirtation was fast approaching the point of no return, Rizal suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life

Before leaving London, he finished four sculptural works – (1) Prometheus Bound, (2) “The Triumph of Death over Life,” (3) “The Triumph of Science over Death,” and (4) a composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters. He gave this carving as a farewell gift to the Beckett sisters

He packed “The Triumph of Science over Death” and sent them to his friend, Professor Blumentritt Leitmeritz

ADIOS, LONDON Suddenly on March 19, 1889, Rizal bade

goodbye to the kind Beckett family (particularly Gertrude) and left London for Paris

He was sad as he crossed the English Channel, for he cherished so many beautiful memories of London

CHAPTER 15Rizal’s Second Sojourn in Paris and the

Universal Exposition of 1889

Difficulty of Finding Quarters Because of the Universal exposition of 1889 which was scheduled

to open on March 6,1889 attracted thousands of tourists so that all hotel accommodations were taken and the hotel rates and house rates were soaring sky high

Valentin Ventura Rizal’s friend, who live in No.45 Rue Maubeuge In the house of Ventura where Rizal polished his annotated

edition of Morga’s book

Rizal’s roommate Capitan Justo Trinidad- former gobernadorcillo of Sta. Ana,

Manila, and a refugee from Spanish tyranny Jose Albert- a young student from Manila

Life in ParisHe used most of his time reading in the room of

the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library)

Checking up his historical annotations on Morga’s book

Writing letters to his family and his friends

Doing physical exercises in gymnasium

Life in Paris

Visiting his friends

Rizal used to dine in at the homes of his friends such as the:Pardo de Taveras

Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de TaveraDr. Felix Pardo de TaveraPaz Pardo de Tavera

The VenturasThe BousteadsThe Lunas, etc.

Life in Paris

June 24, 1889 ~ a baby girl was born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera. She was their second child, the first was a boy named Andres(luling). Her baptismal godfather was Rizal, who chose her name “Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laurena, Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera”

Rizal and Paris Exposition of 1889

Universal Exposition of Paris which opened on May 6,1889

The greatest attraction of this Exposition was the Eiffel Tower, 984 feet high and was built by Alexander Eiffel

President Sadi Carnot of the third French Republic, who cuts the ribbon of the said ceremonies

Alexander Eiffel and President Sadi Carnot

Rizal and Paris Exposition of 1889

One of the features of the Exposition was the International Art Competition, in which Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Felix Pardo de Tavera, and Rizal participated2nd prize ~ Hidalgo3rd prize ~ Juan Luna and Felix Pardo de Tavera

Rizal got no prize but the bust he made was quite good to qualify for the exhibition, but not good enough to win an international prize

Kidlat Club March 19,1889 the same day when he arrived in Paris

from London, Rizal organized his paisanos (compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club

Was purely a social society of a temporary nature. Simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their sojourn in the city during the duration of the Universal Exposition

Members: Antonio Luna Juan Luna Gregorio Aguilera Fernando Canon Lauro Dimayuga Julio Llorente Guillermo Pautu Baldomero Roxas

Indios BravosRizal and the members of the kidlat club were

amazed to see the buffalo show which featured American Indians

Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud bearing of the American Indians. They are not ashamed of their name . Rizal wants to be like them and make their Spanish enemies revise their conception of the term. The Indios Bravos was french (Brave Indians)

It replaced the Kidlat club. They practiced the use of sword and pistol. Rizal taught them Judo, an Asian art of self defense, that he learned in Japan

R.D.L.M. Society A secret society founded by Rizal in Paris during the

Universal Exposition of 1889

A society so secret that it was only mentioned in two letters (1) Rizal’s letter to Jose Maria Basa, Paris, September 21, 1889 and (2) Rizal’s letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar, Paris, November 4, 1889

According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of the hero, the society has a symbol represented by a circle divided into three parts by two semi-circles having in the center the interlocked letters I and B meaning Indios Bravos, and the letters R.D.L.M placed outside on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the circle

R.D.L.M. Society The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to be the initials of the society’s

secret name Reduncion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays)

So much mystery surrounded the society because Rizal rigidly guarded its secret existence. Evidently, it was patterned after Freemasonry. It had various degrees of membership, “ with the members not knowing each other.” Only a few of Rizal’s trusted friends became members, namely: Gregorio Aguilera Jose Ma. Basa Julio Llorente Marcelo H. del Pilar Mariano Ponce Baldomero Roxas Father Jose Maria Changco

R.D.L.M. Society The aims of the soicety:

“The propagation of all useful knowledge scientific, artistic, literary, etc. in the Philippines.”

Redemption of the Malay race.

He was inspired by the book Max Havelaar written by Multatuli.

He told Blumentritt, “I shall not be a planter (plantador) but the leader (caudillo) of the planters who are thinking of emigrating there with me. I feel flattered by the idea that I can still serve my country with my pen. You know very well that always, at all times, I am ready to serve my fatherland would demand this sacrifice. But as I see that I am getting old, my ideals and dreams are fading; if it is impossible for me to give freedom to my country, at least I should like to give it to those noble compatriots in other lands.”

Max Havelaar

Annotated Edition of Morga Published

Printed by Garnier Freres. The prologue was written by Blumentritt

Rizal’s errors (1) Rizal commits the error of many historians in appraising the events of the past in the light of present standards and (2) Rizal’s attacks on the church were unfair and unjustified because the abuses of the friars should nit be construed to mean that Catholicism is bad

Rizal dedicated his new edition of Morga to the Filipino people so that they would know of their glorious past

Morga and his book

Comment on Morga’s Publication Date

The title page of Rizal’s annotated edition of Morga reads: “Paris, Libreria de Garnier Hermanos, 1890.”

Blumentritt – October 12, 1889Dr. Baldomero Roxas – December 28,

1889Mariano Ponce – December 31, 1889

Rizal as a Historian

His splendid annotations to Morga’s book showed his familiarity with the basic principles of historiography

His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to read historical documents and books in the languages in which they were originally written

By his extensive reading of archival resources and books in foreign countries , he acquired wide knowledge not only of Philippine history, but also the history of European colonization in Asia

The Philippines Within a Century

In this article Rizal expressed his views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty in Asia. He portrayed at the beginning of his article the glorious past of the Filipino people, then described their economic stagnation and unhappiness under the harsh and bungling Spanish rule. Toward the last paragraphs of the article, he peered into the future and warned Spain of what would happen to her colonial empire in Asia if she would not adopt a more liberal and enlighten policy toward the Philippines

The Indolence of the Filipinos

Rizal made a critical study of the causes why his people did not work hard during the Spanish regime.

The Spanish conquest of the country brought about a decline in economic activities because the Filipinos had abandoned their pre-Spanish industries and worked less than their ancestors.

The Indolence of the FilipinosDecline in economic life was due to:

The native revolts and other internal disorders which followed the establishment of Spanish rule;

The wars which the Filipinos fought for Spain against Dutch, Portuguese, English and other enemies;

The frightful raids on the coastal towns and village of Christian Philippines by the Muslim pirates of Mindanao and Sulu;

The forced labor which compelled thousands of Filipino laborers;

Lack of stimulus to work harder because the people couldn’t enjoy the fruits of their labor;

The Indolence of the FilipinosGovernment neglect and indifference to agriculture, industry, and commerce;Bad example shown by Spaniards in despising manual labor;The teaching of Spanish missionaries that it is easier for a poor man to enter heaven than for a rich man;Encouragement and propagation of gambling by the Spanish authorities;System of Spanish education did not promote economic enterprise and activity.

International Association of Filipinologists

He first submitted the idea to Blumentritt in a letter dated January 14, 1889

The aim of the association is “to study the Philippines from the scientific and historical point of view.”

The officers were:President: Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian)Vice ~ President: Mr. Edmund Plauchut (French)Counselor: Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-German)Counselor: Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish)Secretary: Dr. Jose Rizal (Filipino)

International Association of Filipinologists

The inaugural convention was scheduled in Paris in August, 1889

Rizal invited renowned scholars in Europe, such as Dr. Reinhold Rost, Sir Henry Yule, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. A.B. Meer, Dr. H. Kern and Dr. Czepelak

But then the convention did not materialize because the French government discourage the holding of conferences during the period of international exposition

Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong

Rizal plan to establish a modern college in Hong Kong

The college aims “to train and educate men of good family and financial means in accordance with the demands of modern times and circumstances.” Mr. Mariano Cunanan, a rich Filipino resident in Paris, promised to help him raise P40,000 as initial capital for college

Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong

The curriculum consisted of the following subjects:

Ethics – Study of Religion – Natural Law – Civil Law – Deportment – Hygiene

Mathematics – Physics and Chemistry – natural History – Geography – Political Economy

Universal History – Philippine History – Logic, Rhetoric, and Poetics

Spanish – English – French – German – Chinese – Tagalog

Gymnastics – Equitation – Fencing – Swimming – Music – Drawing – Dancing

Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong

Unfortunately, this project did not materialize

However, years later, during his exile in Dapitan, he founded a school for boys in which he put into practice some of his splendid pedagogical concepts

“Por Telefono”Was published in booklet form in Barcelona, 1889

Rizal received the printed copies from Mariano Ponce dated Paris, August 13, 1889

This satirical pamphlet under the authorship of “Dimas Alang”, Rizal’s pen name, is a witty satire which ridicules Father Font

It does not only demonstrates Rizal’s sparkling wit, but also his prophetic insight

Christmas in ParisDecember 25, 1889 was a wintry day in

Paris

Rizal and Jose Albert planned to have a sumptuous Christmas dinner

They prepared a Christmas dinner with fried chicken, rice and vegetables

It was Rizal’s last Christmas in Paris

Christmas in ParisAfter New year, Rizal made a brief visit to

London

His visit to London may be due to: To check up his annotated edition of Morga’s

Sucesos with original copy in the British Museum and;

To see Gertrude Beckett for the last time

By the middle of January 1890, he was back in Paris