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CHAPTER 18

BIARRITZ VACATION AND

ROMANCE WITH NELLY
BOUSTEAD (1891)

BS AOM 2A

MUERONG & SEISMUNDO

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BIARRITZ
• To seek solace to his disappointment in Madrid, Rizal took a
vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the Fabulous French
Riviera.
• He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter
residence – Villa Eliada
• February 1891 – Rizal arrived in Biarritz in the beginning of this
month.
• He was warmly welcomed by the Boustead, particularly Mr.
Eduardo Boustead who had taken a great liking for him because
of his remarkable talents.
• As a family guest, he was treated with a hospitality by Mrs.
Boustead, Adelina, Nelly and Aunt Isabel (Mrs. Boustead’s Sister).

CHAPTER 18
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BIARRITZ
• The one month vacation in Biarritz worked wonders of
Rizal. The scenic beaches filled with tourists, the refreshing
breezes of Atlantic ocean made him forget the bitter
memories in Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Mariano Ponce in February 11 1891
and said:

“I have put on much weight since I arrived here; my cheeks

are no longer shrunken as before for the reason that I go to
bed early and I have to no cares.”

CHAPTER 18
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NELLIE BOUSTED
• Rizal having lost Leonor, came to entertain
considerable affection to Nelly, prettier and younger
daughter of Mr. Boustead. He found Nelly to be a real
Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament and
morally upright.

• He told his friends about his love for Nelly except for
Blumentritt, and his intention to propose to her.

• As early as on February 4, 1891, M.H. del Pilar teased

Rizal.
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ROMANCE WITH NELLY Page 05

BOUSTED
• The one who advised not to marry Nelly
Boustead.

"In your letter you talk repeatedly of Boustead who can be

a madame or a mademoiselle. Several times here since last
year I have been told about this young woman who,
according to your letter, is also a Filipino.

And what is the remedy? .... See if Mademoiselle Boustead

suits you, court here, and marry here, and we are here to
applaud such a good act." TOMAS AREJOLA
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BOUSTED
• Antonio Luna, who had previously loved and lost Nellie,
encouraged Rizal to marry her.

“With respect to Nelly, frankly, I think there is nothing

between us more than one of those friendships enlivened
by being fellow countrymen. It seems to me that there is
nothing more. My word of honor… I believe that she will
bring happiness not only to you but to any other man who
is worthy of her. I congratulate you as one congratulates
ANTONIO LUNA
a friend.”
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ROMANCE WITH NELLY

BOUSTED
The two reason why Rizal’s marriage proposal failed:

1. He refused to give up his Catholic Faith and be a converted to

Protestantism, as Nelly demanded.

2. Nelly’s mother don’t like Rizal to be his son-in-law.

Although they could not get married, Rizal and Nelly parted as good
friends. When she learned that Rizal was leaving Europe, she sent him a
farewell letter.
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EL FILIBUSTERISMO
FINISHED IN BIARRITZ
• Frustrated in romance, Rizal found consultation in
writing. Evidently, while wooing Nelly and enjoying so
“many magnificent moonlight lights” with her, he kept
working on his second novel which he began to write
in Calamba in 1887.

• On March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure from

Biarritz to Paris he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo, and wrote a letter to Bluementritt.
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TO PARIS AND BACK

TO BRUSSELS

• March 30, 1891

• Bade goodbye to the Boustead Family
• Proceeded by PARIS by Train
VALENTINA VENTURA
• Stayed to his friend VALENTINE VENTURA on 4 Rue
de Chateaudum.
• Wrote his letter to his friend JOSE MA.
BASA(HONGKONG)

JOSE MA. BASA

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TO PARIS AND BACK

TO BRUSSELS
April 4
• His desire to go back to British colony to practice ophthalmology to earn his
living. Requested BASA to order him a first class steamer ticket from EUROPE
to HONGKONG

By the middle of April 1891

• Rizal was back to BRUSSELS – Where he was happily received by MARIE and
SUZANNE JACOBY (landladies) PETITE SUZANNE
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TO PARIS AND BACK

TO BRUSSELS
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RETIREMENT TO
PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement . He decided to publish his
second novel, to practice his medical profession and when he became
financially independent, he expected to make more vigorous campaign for his
country's redemption.
• On May 1, 1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his
monthly allowance and devote the money to some better cause, such as
education of a young Filipino student in Europe.
• He wrote to Mr. A. L. Lorena (pseudonym of Deodato Arellano) that he was
thankful for the monthly allowance of P50, but he will retire the propaganda in
order to earn money because living in Europe is too much costly
 RIZAL STOPPED WRITING
FOR LA SOLIDARIDAD

• Marcelo H. Del Pilar realized that Rizal’s collaboration was

essentials because the reform was declining with that, his help was
very much needed because Rizal is one of the main contributors in
La Solidaridad. He wrote Rizal a letter telling him to put aside any
of his resentments and continue their reforms and mission.

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 Page 14
RIZAL STOPPED
WRITING FOR
LA SOLIDARIDAD Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad 3
reasons :

• He need time to work on his book

• He wanted other Filipinos to work also,
• He considered it very important to the
party that there be unity in the work

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REVISING THE FILI

FOR PUBLICATION
May 30, 1891
• The revision in apparently completed.

June 13, 1891

• Rizal informed BASA about his negotiation with
the printing firm.
⚬ Rizal pawned his jewels in order to pay the
downpayment.
⚬ F. MEYER-VAN LOO PRESS.

CHAPTER 18
 THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING
PRESENTED BY:
MICHAEL JAMES MUERONG
MA. ASHLEY SEISMUNDO

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