Chapter 16

Rizal's Second Sojourn in Paris and the

Universal Exposition of 1889
by: Gregorio F. Zaide

Paris in the spring Of 1889 was bursting with gaiety and excitement because
Of the Universal Exposition. Thousands Of visitors from all corners of the world
crowded every hotel, inn, boarding house. Everywhere in the metropolis the hotel
rates and house rents were soaring skyhigh, Rizal, fresh from London, was caught
in the whirl of gay Parisian life. Despite the social parties and the glittering lights of
the city, he continued his fruitful artistic, literary. and patriotic labors. He published
his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos; founded two Filipino societies, the Kidlat
Club and the Indios Bravos; and wrote Por Telefono, a satire against Fr. Salvador
Font.

Difficulty Finding Quarters. In March 1889, it was extremely difficult for a'
visitor to find living quarters in Paris. Ime approaching Universal Exposition of 1889
which was scheduled to open on May 6, 1889 attracted thousands of tourists so
that all hotel accommodations were taken. TO the great disgust of Rizal. the cost of
living spiralled high because the French landlords. taking advantage of the great
demand for living quarters, raised the rents of their rooms.

For a short time, Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura, at
No. 45 Rue Maubeuge, where he polished annotated edition of Morga’s book. He
transferred his residence several times. moving from one hotel to another, from one
boarding house to another.

Finally, he lived in a together with two other Filipinos — Capitan Justo

Trinidad former Gobernadorcillo of Santa Ana, Manila, and a refugee from Spanish
tyranny, and Jose Albert, a young student from Manila.

Life in Paris. Although life in Paris was gay, with sparkling merriment and
joyous social parties. Rizal continued to be busy in bis serious pursuits. Hours were
too precious for him to waste. He spent them frugally and fruitfully, He used most of
his time in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library)
checking up his historical annotations on Morga’s book. in his living quarters writing
letters to his family and friends, in the gymnasium for his daily physical exercises,
and visiting his friends.
 In his spare hours, Rizal used to dine at the homes of his friends, such as
the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas. the Bousteads. the Lunas, etc. He was a good
friend of the three Pardo de Taveras — Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera. physician
by vocation and philologist by avocation, Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera, also physician
by vocation and an artist and sculptor by avocation, and Paz Pardo de Tavera. wife
of Juan Luna, These Pardo de Taveras were the children of Don Joaquin Pardo de
Tavera, an exile Of 1872 who escaped from the Marianas and lived in France.

On 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, whose pet
name was Luling. Her baptismal godfather (ninong) Was Rizal, "who chose her
name "Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana. Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de
Tavera."

In his letter to his family in Calamba, Rizal gave an interesting account of his
life in Paris. One of these letters (dated May 16, 1889) related:'

“My daily life in Paris is spent in the following manner: one or two hours in the gymnasium
and in fencing, 'hree or four hours in the library, the rest I use up in writing and visiting
friends. . . Every other night from 8:00 to 1 1:00 we meet in a cafe where we play chess. On
Saturdays I am invited to eat at Luna's houg. on Sundays at Mrs. Juliana's. and on Fridays I
visit the family of boustead (also a Filipino) where sometimes I take tee.”

In another letter to his family. written on September 21, he said: "We

Filipinos gather four times a week we sing the kundiman, we eat sotanghon, adobo,
etc. On Wednesdays in the house of Dona Tula, on Thursdays lhc house of
Hidalgo. on Fridays in the house of Madam Boostead. on Saturdays in the house of
Luna, On Sundays in the house of Dona Juliana. "
Rizal and Paris Exposition of 1889. Like any ordinary Filipino tourist in a
foreign land, Rizal was fascinated by the Universal Exposition of Paris which
opened on May 6. 1889. The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel
Tower. 984 feet high. which was built by Alexander Eiffel, celebrated French
engineer.
Rizal and his friends attended the opening ceremonies and saw the cutting
of the ribbon by President Sadi Carnot of the Ihird French Republic. Paris was
jammed with thousands of tourists coming from all parts of the world. Daily the
Aposition drew a vast, crowd of persons or more.
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 participated.
Hidalgo's painting was awarded second prize. the paintings of Juan Luna and F.
Pardo de Tavera each obtained the third prize. while Rizal's enuy (a bust which he
modelled got no prize.' This bust was quite good to qualify for the exhibition, but not
good enough to win an international prize.
 Kidlat Club. On March 19. 1889, the game day when he arrived in Paris
from London, Rizal Organized his (compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club, the
members were Antonio and Juan Luna. Gregorio Aguilera.
Fernando Canon. I-auro Dimayuga. Julio Llorvlltv Puatu, and Baldomero Rosas.
Kidlat Club was purely a social society of Temporary nature. It was founded
Rizal simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that they
could onpy their sojourn in the city during the duration of the tinivcrsal ExpKXition.
Illus he told Blumentritt in a letter dated March 19. 1889: "Today we have formed a
Kidlat Club.
Tagalog means "lightning" and for the same reasons this club last only
during the Exposition. We have thought of it and formed it in one hour. It will
disappear also like lightning.
Braun in their sightseeing tour of the exposition rounds, Rizal and the
members of the Kidlat Club were amazed to see the Buffalo Bull show which
featured the American Indians. These red-skinned Indians were proudlv riding their
sturdy ponies, elegantly dressed in their native attire and wearing their war feathers
and paints.
Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and Broud bearing of the American
Indians. He told his friends; "Why should we resent being called Indios by the
Spaniards? Look at those from North America — they are not ashamed of them.
Let us like them. Let us be proud of the name Indio and make our Spanish
enemies revise their conception of the term. We shall be Indios Bravos!
Thus, was born a new society of Filipino patriots in Paris the Indios Bravos
(Brave Indians). It replaced the ephemeral Kidlat Club. Its members pledged to
excel in intelQual physical prowess in order to win the admiration of the foreigners,
particularly the Spaniards. ney practised with great enthusiasm the use of the sword
and pistol, Rizal taught them judo, Asian art of self-defense, that he learned in
Japan.
R.D. L.M. & Riety. Another society founded by Rizal in Paris during the
Universal Exposition of 1889 was the mysterious
Sociedad R.D.L.M. (R.D.L.M. Society) Many biographers Of Rizal do not
mention it. In fact, its existence and role crusade for reforms are really enigmatic.
Of the numerous letters written by Rizal and his fellow propagandists, only two
mentioned this secret society. as follows: (l) Rizal's Letter to Maria Basa. Paris,
September 21,1889 and (2) Rizal to Marcelo H. del Pilar. Paris. November 4, 1889.'
According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of hero, the society has
a symbol or countersign represented circle divided into three parts by two semi-
circles having center the interlocked letters I and B meaning Indios Bravos, and the
letters R.D.L.M. placed outside an upper. lower, left and right sides of the circle. "8
The letters R.D.L.M. are believed
 initials of the society's secret name Redencion de (Redemption of the
Malays).

So much mystery surrounded the R, D.L.M. because Rizal rigidly guarded its
secret existence. Evidently. it was patterned Freemasonry. It had various degrees
of membership, "with members not knowing each other." Only a few of Rizal's
friends became members of the R.D.I.M. namely. Gregorio Aguilera. Jose Ma.
Basa. Julio Llorente, Marcelo H. del Pilar. Mariano Ponce, Baldomero Roxas, and
Father Jose Maria Oiangco (Filipino priest).

The aim of the secret society. as stated by Rizal was "the propagation of all
useful knowledge — scientific, artistic. literary, — in the Philippines." Evidently.
there was another aim that is, the redemption of the Malay race. It must be noted
that Rival was inspired by a famous book entitled Max Havelaar (18")) written by
Multatuli (pseudonym of E. D. Dekker. Dutch author). This. book exposed the
miserable conditions of the oppressed Malay inhabitants of the Netherlands East
Indies under Dutch rule,

A discerning study of the available Rizaliana documents and Rizal's

actuations should that he had something to do With the Malay face. As Dr. Leoncio
Lopez-Rizal cogently stated. Rizal’s colonization project in Borneo was "not merely
to have a place where Filipinos could live and work with more liberty well as free
themselves from the oppressive conditions in the Philippines, but for something
else more important, which is 10 have freedom of action to attain the aims of the
L.M. which means. the Redemption of the Malay Race.

Rizal. writing to Blumentritt from Hong Kong on February 23. IS92, revealed
his intention to. be a leader of freedom. il in the Philippines. then in other lands •'1n
Borneo." he told Blumentritt. shall not be a planter (plantador) but the leader
(caudillo) of the planters who are thinking of emigrating there with me. I feel
nattered hy the idea that I can still serve my people with my pen. You know very
well that always, "at all times, I am ready to serve my fatherland not only with my
pen. hut also with my life whenever 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 these noble compatriots in Other lands, "10

Moreover, the contract for his Bornean colonization included such provisions
as the right of the colonists to buy the lands, the free use of the seashores, and the
unusual long term of lease for 299 years, "a period of time long enough for many
generations to form a nation and to consolidate its status" and to realize Rizal's
dream of redeeming the Malay race.

Annotated Edition or Morga Published. Rizal's outstanding achievement

in Paris was the publication in 1890 of his annotated editions of Morga's Sucesos,
which he wrote in the British Museum. It was printed by Garnier Freres, 'The
Prologue was written by Professor Blumentritt, upon the request of Rip-al.

In his Prologue, Blumentritt Commended Rizal for his fine historical

scholarship. However, he frankly censured Rizal for two things which revealed
Rizal's errors. namely: (l) 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 not be
construed to mean that Catholicism is bad. Thus Blumentritt said:ll

The high estimation of your notes (Rizal's annotations — Z.) does not prevent me from
confessin; that more than once, observed that you participate in the error of many modern historians.
Who judge events of centuring past in the light of concepts that correspond to contempo racy ideas,
This should not be.The historian should not impute 'o the men of the 16th century the Wide horizon
of ideas that move the 19th century,

The second point With Which I am not tn agreement has to do with some of fulminations
against believe that not in religion in the cruel and the abuses of many priests we the origm of many
events lamentable for religion. Spain. and the good name of the European racc.

Notwithstanding the two blemishes ol' Rizal’s work. it is a splendid piece of

historiography. Rizal annotated and published M orga’s Sucesos because it was the
best of the many histories

of the Philippines written by the early Spanish writers, being accurate in the
narration of events, unbiased in judgement. and unmarred by childish fantasies.

Rizal dedicated his new edition Of Morga to the Fiiipino so that they would
know of their glorious past. His dedication is as follows:

TO THE FILIPINOS

In the Noli Me Tangere I started to sketch the present State of our Fatherland: the effect
which my attempt podueed made me realize. before proceeding to develop before your eyes ether
pictures to follow. the necessity of first giving an understanding of the past in order the better to
judge the present and measure path traversed dunng the three centuries.

Born and reared in ignorance of our past like almost all of you: without voice nor authority
to speak of what we have not scen nor studied I deemed it necessary to invoke the testimony of an
illustrious Spaniard who control. led the destinies of the Philippines at the beginning oi its new era
and personally witnessed the days of our ancient nationality. Ii is, therefore, the shadow of our
ancestors' civilization which the author now shall call before you. transmit to you faithfully his
words without changing them nor mutilating them. adapting, only in so far as missihle. to modern
orthography and introducing greater clearness in the rather defective punctuations of the original. to
facilitate its reading. The office. the nationality, and the virtues of Morga, together with the date and
testimonies of his ujntcrn poraries. Spaniards for the most part, commend the work to your serious
consideration.
 If the succeeds in awakening in you, the conscious. ness of our past blotted from memory.
and in rectifyng what has been falsified and calumniated then I shall not have labored in vain, and
with this basis. s!ight though it be. we can all devote ourselves to the study of the future.

In this historical work, Rizal proved that the Filipinos were already civilized
before the advent of Spain, they had clothes, government, laws, writing, literature.
religion, arts, sciences and commerce with neighboring Asian nations. Rizal thus
blasted the historical heresies of the Spanish writers who claimed that the early
Filipinos were savages and were of low mentality.

Annotated Edition of Morga Published. Rizal's annotated edition of

Morga reads: "Paris, Libreria de Garnier Hermanos, 1890. " From this printed date,
all biographers of Rizal came to assert that his edition of Morga was published in
1890.

However, there is documentary evidence to show that Rizal's edition of

Morga must have come off the press in 1889-not 1890. On October 12, 1889.
Blumentritt wrote to Ri2al from Leitmeritt, saying: "I have just received your
magnificent edition of Morga. This edition with your erudite notes will glorify your
name."

Rizal hirnself, in his letter to Dr. Baldomero Roxas from Paris, December 28,
1889, stated: "Today I sent to Lipa four copies Of Morga. Later I will send some
mote.”

From Barcelona. Mariano Ponce wrote to Rizal on December 31. 1889,

saying: "I received the book Sucesos. Many thanks. I have read only Blumentritt's
prologue. Truly excellent. Please send me immediately about ten copies that I can
gnd to the Philippines by the first mail that is going there. "

The three letters cited above — from Blumentritt, B. Roxas. and M. Ponce —
are incontrovertible proofs that Morga's Sucesos by Rizal actually came off the
press in 1889. Otherwise, how could these three friends of Rizal read the book
before 1890?

Rizal as Historian. Rizal's research studies in the British Museum (London)

and in the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris) enriched his historical knowledge. His
splendid annotations Morga•s book showed his familiarity with the basic principles
of historiography. As he once told Isabelo de IOS Reyes: "A historian ought to be
rigorously imparted. . . I never assert anything on my own authority. I cite texts and
when I do, I have them before.

His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to read historical

documents and books in the languages in which they were originally written. For
instance, he read Pigafetta’s famous First Voyage Around the World in the historical
works of Marsden, Raffles, Lord Stanley, and Wallacv in English; the writings of
Blumentritt, Jagor, and Vircbow in German; books Of M. J. Mallat, and A. Marche in
French; and the works of T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Pedro A. Paterno, Miguel Morayta,
and Pi y Margall in Spanish. By his extensive reading of archival sources and books
in foreign countries, he acquired wide knowledge not only of Philippine history, but
also the history of European colonization in Asia.

Aside from his excellent annotations on Morga's book, Rizal wrote other
works which qualify him to become a real historian. Among them were the two
historical commentaries written in London, Ma-yi (December 6, 1888) and Tawal'si
of Ibn BatUta (January 7, 1889); Filipinas dentro de Cien Anos (The Philippines
Within a Century), published in La Solidaridad in four issues on September 30,
October 31, December 15, 1889 and February 15, 1890; Sobre la Indolencia de los
Filipinos (The Indolence of the Filipinos). published in La Solidaridad in five
successive issues on July 15, July 31, August 1. August 31, and September l, 1890;
La Politica Colonial on Filipinas (Colonial policy in the Philippines), no date; Manila
en e/ mes de Diciembre, 1872 (Manila in the Month of December. 1872). no date;
Hisloria de la Familia Rizal de Calamba (History of the Rizal family of Calamba); no
date and Los Pueblos del Archipielago Indico (The Peoples of the Indian
Archipelago), no date.

The Philippine 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
to her colonial empire in Asia if she would not adopt a more liberal and enlightened
toward the Philippines.

Significant passages in this historical essay are as follows:

To recapitulate: the Philippines will remain Spanish if they enter upon the life of law and
civilization, if the rights of their inhabitants are respected, if the other rights due them are granted, if
the liberal policy of the government is carried out without trickery or meanness, without subterfuees
or false interpretations.

Otherwise. if an attempt is made to see in the Islands a lode to be exploited, a resource to

satisfy ambitions, shutting its cars to all cries of reason, then, however great may be the loyalty of
the Filipinos, it will be immissible to hinder the operations of the inexorable laws 01 history.
Colonies established to subserve the and commerce of the sovereign cx'uruiry, all eventually become
indepen-

If the Philippines secure their inderrndence after heroic and stubborn conflict,
they can rest assured that neither England nor Germany, nor France. and still less
Holland will dare to take up what Spain has been unable to hold.
 Perhaps the great American Republic, whose interests lie in the 'Pacific and who had no
hand in the spoliation of Affiea may SOiite day dream of foreign possession. 'This is not immissible,
for the example is contagious. covetousness and ambition are among the strongest vices.

Very likely, the Philippines will defend with inexpressible valor the liberty secured at the
price of so much blood and sacrifice with the new men that will spring from their soil and with the
recollection of their past. they will perhaps strive to enter freely upon the wide road of progress. and
all will labor together to strengthen their fatherland. . .111t•n the mines will be made to give up their
gold for relieving distress. iron for weapons. copper, lead. and coal. Perhaps the country will revive
the maritime and mercantile life for which the islanders are fitted by their nature, ability. and
instincts. and once more free, like the bird that leaves its cage. like the flower that unfolds to the air,
will recover the pristine virtues that are gradually dying out and will again become addicted to peace
— cheerful. happy, joyous, hospitable and daring.

The Indolence of the other essay of Rizal is also a prestigious work of

historical scholarship. It is an able fense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos. In
the spirit of a real scholar, Rizal made a critical study of the causes why his people
did not work hard during the Spanish regime. His main thesis was that the Filipinos
are not by nature indolent.

Long before the coming Of the Spaniards, he pointed out, the Filipinos were
industrious and hard-working: I They were very active in agriculture. industries, and
Commerce. The Spanish in the 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. Such decline in economic life was
due to certain causes: (l) the native revolts and other internal disorders which
followed the establishment Of Spanish rule, (2) the wars which the Filipinos fought
for Spain against the Dutch, Portuguese. English, and other enemies: (3) the
frightful raids on the coastal towns and village of Christian Philippines by the Muslim
pirates of Mindanao and Sulu; (4) the forced labor which compelled thousands of
Filipino laborers to work in shipyards, roads, bridges, and other public works,
resulting in the abandonment of industry , commerce, and agriculture; (S) lack Of
stimulus to work harder because the people could not enjoy the fruits of their labor,
(6) government and indifference to agriculture. industry, and commerce; (7) the bad
example shown by the Spaniards in despising manual labor: (8) the teaching of
Spanish missionaries that it is easier for a por man to enter heaven than for a rich
man, hence the Filipinos prefer not to work and be poor so that they could ea<ily
enter heaven after they die; (9) encouragement and propagation of gambling by the
Spanish authorities; and (10) system of Spanish education did not promote
economic enterprise and activitv. as Rizal asserted, the education of the native was
his birth until he sinks into his grave is brutalizing, and anti-human" and "deprives
him of his dignity."

It is true, admitted Rizal, that the Filipinos are easygoing and do not work so
hard because they are wise enough to themselves to their warm. tropical climate.
They do not have to kill themselves working hard in order to live because lure gives
them abundant harvests by working less than those in temperate and arid
countries. fact," explained Ri.'iil, that in tropical countries violent work is not a good
thing, as it is death. destruction, annihilation. Nature knows this and like a just
mother has therefore made the earth more tertilc. and more productive, as a
compensation. An hour-s work under burning sun. in the midst of pernicious
influences springing nature in activity is equal to a day's labor in a temperate
climate; it is. then. just that the earth yields a hundredfold!"

International Association or Filipinologists. Taking advantage of world

attention which was then focused at the Universal Exposition Of 1889 in Paris. Rizal
proposed to establish an "International Association of Filipinologists" and have its
inaugural convention in the French capital. He first submitted this idea to Blumentritt
in a letter dated January 14, 1889. and the latter gladly suplx»rted him. He wrote
the prospectus of this international association. According to his prospectus. the
aim of the association is "to study the Philippines from the scientific and historical
point of view." officers were as follows:

President …………………. Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian)

Vice-President……………. Mr. Edmund Plauchut (French)

Counsellor………………… Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-German)

Counsellor ………………… Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish)

Secretary…………………… Dr. Jose Rizal (Filipino)

Rizal scheduled the holding of the inaugural convention Of the International

Association of Filipinologists in Paris in August 1889. He prepared the agenda and
invited renowned scholars in Europe, such as Dr. Reinhold Rost, Sir Henry Yule,
Dr. Feodor Jagor. Dr. A.B. Meyer, Dr. H. Kern, and Dr. Czcpelak. to take part in the
proceedings. Unfortunately. their inaugural convention did not materialize because
the French government discouraged the holding of conferences by private
organizations during the period of the international exposition.

Filipino College in Hongkong. Another project for Filipino College in Hong

Kong. Another magnificent project of Rizal in Paris which also fizzled out was his
plan to establish a modern college in Hong Kong. He wrote to his friend, Jose Maria
Basa, about this matter. According to Rizal, this college aims "to train and educate
men of good family and financial means in accordance with the demands of modern
times and circumstances". A rich Filipino resident in Paris, Mr. Mariano Cunanan.
from Mexico, Pampanga. promised to help him raise as initial capital for the college.

-the curriculum consisted pf the following subjects:

Ethics — Study of Religious — 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.

Unfortunately, this project of Rizal to establish a modem college in Hong

Kong did not materialize. However, years later, during his exile in Dapitan, he
actually founded a school for boys, in which he put into practice some of his
splendid pedagogical concepts.

"Por Telefono.” We have mentioned before that Rizal defended his Noli
from the slanderous attack Of Fray Jose Rodriguez by penning a satirical booklet
entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez. In the fall of1889 he wrote another satirical
work entitled Por Telefono as a reply to another slanderer Fr. Salvador Font. who
masterminded the banning of his Noli.

Por Telefono was published in booklet form in Barcelona, 1889. Rizal

received the printed copies from Mariano Ponce, as revealed by his letter to the
latter, dated Paris, August 13, 1889.

This satirical pamphlet under the authorship of "Dimasalang" (one of Rizal's

pen-names) is a witty satire which ridicules Father Font. It describes in comical vein
a telephone conversation t*tween Father Font who was in Madrid and the father
provincial Of the San Agustin Convent in Manila.

Incidentally, Por Telefono demonstrates not only Rizal sparkling wit, but also
his prophetic insight. Its opening paragraph reads as follows:

In the year the Philippines for the first time was connected to the Metropolis (Madrid) by
means of the telephone laid out by an Anglo-Catalan firm called Telephone Company, which was
then known in its time for its truly advanced ideas.

By this opening paragraph, Rizal predicted much ahead of his times that
people could carry on overseas telephonic conversations. It is amazing how he
could have foreseen this phenomenon, which we enjoy now. History shows that the
first radio-telegraph signals received by Marconi across the Atlantic was in 1901 —
twelve years after the publication of Rizal's Por Telefono.

Christmas in Paris. December 25, 1889 was a wintry day in Paris. Rizal
and Jose Albert, who were living frugally in a small room occupied by Capitan Justo
Trinidad, planned to have a sumptuous Christmas dinner. They scraped enough
money to Yuletide. They prepared a Christmas dinner with fried chicken. rice and
vegetables. This dinner proved to be Rizal’s last Christmas. dinner in Paris.

Shortly after New Year, Rizal made a brief visit to London. Biographers do
not know the purpose of this visit. It may be due to two reasons: (l) to check-up his
annotated edition Of Morga's Sucesos with the original copy in the British Museum
and (2) to see Gertrude Beckett for the last time.

By the middle Of January 1890, he was back in Paris. He complained of a

terrible headache. Al that time an epidemic of influenza was raging in Europe.
Fortunately, he was not stricken with flu.