chap14-15

Chapter 14 Rizal in London(1888-1889)  

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Rizal lived in London from May 1888 to March 1889 He chose this city for 3 reasons 1. To improve his knowledge of English language 2. To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas 3. London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against the Spanish tyranny. In London he 1. Engaged in Filipiniana studies; 2. Completed annotating Morga’s book; 3. Wrote articles for La Solidaridad; 4. Penned a famous letter to the young women of Malolos; 5. Wrote to Blumentritt and relatives; 6. Had a romance with Gertrude Beckett

Trip Across the Atlantic  

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Rizal entertained the American and European passengers with his marvellous skill in yoyo as an offensive weapon. On board the steamer were some American newspaperman, he discussed with them the current social and political problems of mankind, and found them to be inadequate in geo politics. He could not enjoy their companionship because they are intellectually inferior to him. Rizal arrived at Liverpool, and spend the night at the Adelphi hotel. He wrote to his family that Liverpool is a big and beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its great fame.

Life in London

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He stayed as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor. Then he found a modest boarding place, owned by the Beckett family. The Beckett family composed of Mr. Beckett, Mrs Beckett, two sons and four daughters. The oldest of the Beckett sisters was Gertrude, called Gettie or tottie by her friends. Rizal came to know Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He called Rizal “a pearl of a man.” He spent much of his time in the British Museum. He also frequently visit Dr. Regidor. He spent Sundays in the house of Dr. Rost.

News from Home, Good and Bad

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Bad news: the injustices committed by the Spanish authorities on the Filipino people and the Rizal family. -1.Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the “Anti-Friar Petition of 1888” -2. Persecution of the Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives, for their courage to petition the government for agrarian reforms. -3.Furious attacks on Rizal in the Spanish Cortes and in Spanish newspapers. -4. Rizal’s brother in law, Manuel T. Hidalgo was exiled to Bohol without due process of law. -5. Laureano Viado, a medical student at the University of Santo Tomas was arrested and jailed in Bilibid Prison because copies of the Noli were found in his house. Good news: Rev Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the attacks of the friars. -He wrote to Father Garcia expressing his personal thanks.

Annotating Morga’s Book.

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Greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands) and also reading the old histories of the Philippines. He wrote a letter to Blumentritt, concerning Morga’s work. Mariano Ponce, urged him to edit a newspaper which would defend the Filipino interests from the insulting attacks of their Spanish detractors, Rizal refused because he was busy.

Short Visit to Paris and Spain • • •

He visited Paris for a week, in order to search for more historical materials in the Biliotheque Nationale. He was entertained by Juan Luna and his wife. He went to Spain, contacted his compatriots and surveyed the political situation with regards to the agitation for Philippine reforms. He met Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, titans of the Propaganda Movement, he promised them to cooperate in the fight for reforms.

Christmas in London(1888) •

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Rizal spent Christmas and New Year with the Becketts. He wrote to Blumentritt concerning Christmas Eve. He also sent a gift to Blumentritt a bust of Emperor Augustus which he had made. He also sent a gift to Dr. Carlos Czepelak a bust of Julius Caesar Mrs. Beckett gave him a book “The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist”

Rizal Becomes leader of Filipinos in Europe •

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He learned that the Filipino in Barcelona were planning to establish a patriotic society which would cooperate in the crusade for reforms. “Asociacion La Solidaridad(Solidaridad Association)”, President: Galicano Apacible, VPresident: Graciano Lopez Jaena, Secretary:Manuel Santa Maria, Treasurer:Mariano Ponce, Accountant:Jose Ma. Panganiban. Rizal was chosen as honorary president. In return he wrote a letter to the members of the Asociacion La Solidaridad: 1. If defeated never surrender. 2. A great deal of integrity and much good will.

Rizal and The La Solidaridad Newspaper • •

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Graciano Lopez Jaena founded La Solidaridad in Barcelona The Patriotic newspaper served as the organ of the Propaganda Movement. It aims are: 1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms; 2. To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them; 3. To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalish; 4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress; 5. To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness. Rizal congratulated Lopez Jaena and his associates in founding La Solidaridad.

First Article in La Solidaridad

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Rizal’s first article was entitled Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers). He discussed the awful conditions in the Philippines.

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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.

Writings in London •

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Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated attack on his Noli. In defense, He wrote a pamphlet entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez(The vision of Fray Rodriguez) under his pen name Dimas Alang. This piece contains the dialogue between St. Augustine and Fr. Rodriguez. St. Augustine told Fr. Rodriguez that he was commissioned by God to tell him of his stupidity and inform him of his penance on earth that he shall continue to write more stupidity so that all men may laugh at him. In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Rizal demo 2 things 1. His profound knowledge of religion; 2. His biting satire. Rizal wrote the famous “Letter To The Young Women Of Malolos”. It tackles about the: 1. A Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland and mankind. 2. The Filipino mother should be glad, to offer her sons in the defense of the fatherland; 3. A Filipino woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor; 4. A Filipino woman should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial virtues; 5. Faith is not merely reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures, but rather it is living the real Christian way with good morals and good manners. Dr. Rost, editor of Trubner’s Record, requested Rizal to contribute some articles. In respond Rizal wrote two articles: 1. “Specimens of Tagal Folklore”; 2. “Two Eastern Fables”

Romance with Gertrude Beckett

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Gertude Beckett- A buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, rosy cheeks. She fell in love with Rizal. She helped Rizal by mixing his colours for painting or assisted in preparing the clay for sculpturing. He called her Gettie and she called him Pettie. Suddenly Rizal realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfil in life. He finished four sculptural works 1. Prometheus Bound; 2. The Triumph of Death over life; -sent to Blumentritt

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The Triumph of Science over Death; -sent to Blumentritt A composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters. – He gave as a farewell gift to the Beckett sisters.

Adios London •

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

CHAPTER 15 RIZAL’S SECOND SOJOURN IN PARIS AND THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION OF 1889

-Paris was having the Universal Exposition -He published his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos; -Founded 3 Filipino societies: 1. the Kidlat Club, 2. the Indios Bravo, 3. the RDLM -Wrote Por Telefono, a satire against Fr. Salvador Font Difficulty of Finding Quarters • It was difficult to find a living quarter in the Paris and the cost of living became higher because of the French landlords taking advantage of the great demand for living quarters. • Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura where he polished his annotated edition of Morga’s book. • He lived in a little room, together with Capiton Justo Trinidad former gobernadorcillo and Jose Albert. Life in Paris • He used most of his time in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale checking up his historical annotations on Morga’s book, in his room writing letters to his family and friends, in the gym, and visiting his friends. • In spare hours, he used to dine at the homes of his friends, Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Bousteads, the Lunas, etc. • A baby girl, their 2nd child was born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera. The 1st was Andres. Her baptismal godfather(ninong) was Rizal, who chose her namen ”Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana, Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera” Rizal and Paris Exposition of 1889 • The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel Tower. • Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Felix Pardo de Tavera and Rizal joined the international art competition. Hidalgo’s painting was 2nd prize, Juan Luna and F. Pardo de Tavera each obtained the 3rd prize and Rizal got no prize. Kidlat Club • Members were Antonio and Juan Luna, Gregorio Aguilera, Fernando Canon, Lauro Dimayuga, Julio Llorente, Guillermo Puatu and Baldomero Roxas. • It was founded by Rizal simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their stay in the city during the Universal Exposition. • He wrote a letter to Blumentritt concerning the Kidlat Club. Indios Bravos • They were amazed to see the Buffalo Bull show which featured the American Indians. These red-skinned Indians were proudly riding their sturdy