CHAPTER 15

Rizal's Second Sojourn in

Paris and the Universal
Exposition of 1889
Difficulty of Finding Quarters
In March 1889, it was extremely difficult to find
living quarters in Paris.
The 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.
Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentine
Ventura, at No. 45 Rue Maubeuge, here he
polished his annotated edition of Morgas book.
 Life in Paris
He used most of his time in the reading room of
the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library)
checking up his historical annotations on Morgas
book, in his living quarters writing letters to his
family and friends, in the gymnasium for his daily
physical exercises, and visiting his friends.
On June 24, 1889, a baby girl was born to Juan
Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera.
Her baptismal godfather was Rizal, who chose
her name Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera.
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.

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.
 Kidlat Club
On March 19, 1889, Rizal originated his compatriots
into a society called Kidlat Club.
Among the members were:
Antonio and Juan Luna
Gregorio Aguilera
Fernando Canon
Lauro Dimayuga
Julio Llorente
Guillermo Puatu
Baldomero Roxas
The Kidlat Club was purely a social society of a
temporary nature.
 Indios Bravos
Its members pledged to excel in intellectual
and physical prowess in order to win the
admiration of the foreigners, particularly the
Spaniards.

They practiced with the great enthusiasm the

use of the sword and pistol.

Rizal taught them judo.

 R.D.L.M. Society
According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, the
society has a symbol represented by:
The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to be the
initials of the societys secret name Redencion
de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays).

The aim of the secret society, as stated by Rizal

was the propagation of all useful knowledge in
the Philippines. Evidently, there was another
aim that is, the redemption of the Malay
race.
 Annotated Edition of Morga Published
Rizals outstanding achievement in Paris was the publication in
1890 of his annotated edition of Morgas 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 Rizal.
Rizals errors:
Rizal commits the error of many historians in appraising
the events of the past in the light of present standards.
Rizals attacks on the Church were unfair and unjustified
because the abuses of the friars should not be construed
to mean that Catholicism is bad.
In this historical work, Rizal proved that the Filipinos were
already civilized before the advent of Spain. Rizal thus criticized
the historical heresies of the Spanish writers who claimed that
the early Filipinos were savages and were of low mentality.
 Comment on Morgas Publication Date
The title page of Rizals annotated edition of
Morga reads: Paris, Liberia de Garnier Hermanos,
1890.
On October 12, 1889, Blumentritt wrote to Rizal
saying: I have just received your magnificent
edition of Morga. This edition with your erudite
notes will glorify your name.
Rizal himelf, in his letter to Dr. Baldomero Roxas,
December 28, 1889, stated: Today I sent to Lipa
four copies of Morga. Later I will send some
more.'
 Rizal as Historian
The Philippines Within a Century. Rizal
expressed his views on the Spanish
colonization in the Philippines and
predicted with amazing accuracy the
tragic end of Spains sovereignty in Asia.

The Indolence of the Filipino. It is an able

defense of the alleged indolence of the
Filipinos.
Project for Filipino College in
Hong Kong
To train and educate men of good
family and financial means in
accordance with the demands of
modern times and circumstances.
 Por Telefono
Published in booklet form in Barcelona, 1889. Rizal
received the printed copies from Mariano Ponce,
dated Paris, August 13, 1889.
 Christmas in Paris
On December 25, 1889 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.
This dinner proved to be Rizals last
Christmas dinner in Paris.
By the middle of January 1890, he was back
in Paris.