CHAPTER 15

LIFE AND WORKS IN LONDON, (1888-89)

In March 1889, Upon arriving in Paris, Rizal experienced a hard time looking for a
living quarter, for the reason that the approaching of Universal Exposition which was
scheduled to open on May 6, 1889 attracted thousands of tourists that all hotel
accommodations were taken.
On March 19, 1889, the same day when Rizal arrived in Paris, he organized his
paisanos (compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club. The said club was purely a
social society of a temporary nature, it simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the
French capital to enjoy their sojourn.
Rizal then was enchanted by the dignified and proud bearing of the American
Indians, thus was born a new society of Filipino patriots in Paris – the Indios Bravos
(Brave Indians), which replaced the ephemeral Kidlat Club.
Sociedad R.D.L.M (R.D.L.M Society) a mysterious society which founded by Rizal
in Paris, its existence and role in the crusade for reforms are really enigmatic.
Although Rizal’s life in Paris was gay, with sparkling merriment and joyous social
parties, Rizal continued to be busy in his serious pursuits and the greatest Rizal’s
attraction of his exposition was the Eiffel Tower.