Rizal was not able to see the queen, for his efforts were foiled on every hand.

He realized that he could do nothing, and, as Retana says, "he became nauseated and full of horror." In those last six months of 1890 in Madrid he was a lion at bay -- as Retena himself had good reason never to forget. This young Spaniard had been a press agent for the friars in Manila, and had returned to Madrid to write for a friar newspaper in that city. Retana wrote a vicious article insulting the Filipinos and denouncing the Rizal family for not paying their rent. (12) Immediately Rizal sent his seconds to challenge Retana to fight a duel -- which was in those days in Spain the only honorable recourse for a brave man. Retana at once published a retraction and an apology in the papers. From that day Retana developed a strange admiration for Rizal, and after he ceased to write for the friars, wrote the most important Spanish biography of the great Filipino. (13) Probably at no other period of his life would Rizal have issued this challenge. That his nerves were on edge is revealed by the fact that he also challenged his friend Antonio Luna to a duel because the latter, while drunk, made an insulting remark about a woman of Rizal's acquaintance. (14) This turned out happily, for when Luna became sober he realized that he was in the wrong and apologized, promising not to get drunk again. Perhaps no other experience in Luna's life did so much to turn him from a prodigal son to the great man he later became. Yet it was indeed "highly incongruous to think of Rizal as a duelist." In the state of his nerves, taut to the breaking point, his high ideal for women took on such an exaggerated form that it swept him for a time from the self-controlled calm that characterized him both before and after this desperate period. Yet these two incidents bring out two of Rizal's characteristics: his perfect integrity, which could not bear the thought of defaulting one centavo, and his lofty reverence for the honor of womanhood. Confidence in Rizal's integrity led fathers and brothers to entrust their youth in Europe to his care. The famous painter Juan Luna gave Rizal "a million thanks for all you have done for Antonio." (15) and sent all the money for Antonio's education through Rizal. (16) "Your example," he wrote, "ought always to inspire the students from our country, who are the hope of our future." Again Catalino Dimayuga of Batangas was "grateful with all my soul for the wise counsel you have given for the wise counsel you have given Lauro . . . I desire him . . . to study close to you, for in this way you will be able to direct and council him not only in his studies but about his health. Excuse me for the natural egoism of a father, with his son far from home and exposed to a thousand hazards, when I seek for his protection from the misfortunes that might overtake him; and nobody could bring him through successfully better than you, with your nobility, your disinterestedness, and a thousand virtues that combine in you." (17) Dr. Thomas Arejola told him: "Your mortal influences over us is indisputable." (18) There are scores of such tributes in the letters written to Rizal. None perhaps pleased him more than the sincere tribute which his loyal friend Blumentritt wrote him in those dark days in Madrid: "Criticism cannot harm your glory and fame, either in the eyes of the Filipinos or in those of the international scientific world. The latter sees in your works, though they may not know you personally, the man of tremendous spiritual grandeur who possesses a profound and comprehensive learning." (19) Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna End of August, 1890 Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. y Wine was served in the reunion. y After drinking so many glasses, the guests became more loquacious. y Antonio Luna became drunk. y Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead y He was blaming Rizal for his failure. y Luna uttered certain unsavory remarks for Nellie. y Rizal heard him and challenge for a duel. y The Filipinos were shocked of the incident.

They tried to pacify Rizal and Luna, pointing out to both that such a duel would damage their cause in Spain. y Luna, when he became sober, realized that he had made a fool and he apologized to Rizal Rizal Challenges Retana to Duel On another occasion, he challenged another man to duel Wenceslao E. Retana. Retana The bitter enemy of Rizal in Pen. A talented Spanish scholar was then a press agent of the friars in Spain. Used to attack the Filipinos, including Rizal, in various newspapers in Madrid. He imprudently wrote an article in La Epoca an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid, asserting that the family and friends of Rizal had not paid their rents so that they were ejected from their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. y Such an insult stirred Rizal to action. y Immediately, he sent his seconds to Retana with his challenge to a duel. y Retana at once published a retraction and apology in the newspapers. y The incident silenced Retana s pen against Rizal. y Years afterward, Retana wrote the first book-length biography of the greatest Filipino hero, whose talents he came to recognize and whose martyrdom he glorified.
y y y

y y y y

y y y

260. Marcelo H. del Pilar, Madrid, 7 August 1891 The order for Graciano will be carried out Also what refers to the prize for Luna The voice of Manila is reconciliation There is really no resentment between Rizal and del Pilar Appreciating Rizal s congratulations to La Solidaridad Invites Rizal to write for it again would defeat friars intrigue in the Philippines. Madrid, 7 August 1891 Mr. Jos Rizal Ghent My dear Friend, I have on hand your letter of the 4th instant and through it I have learned who has won the prize you proposed to Manila. I have yet to carry out the order you gave me as soon as I receive it. What I have received refers to Graciano, who is returning. Perhaps what refers to Luna may come by the next mail. In that case rest assured that our Taga-ilog (01) will not wait too long. What they tell me from Manila is that we get reconciled; and as I understand that there is no resentment between us, I do not know how to begin. Many times I have wished to write you about this, but as many times I have had to desist, sorrowful and even dismayed at disagreeing with my best friend, without eating it or drinking it, as it is often said. In short, if you have any resentment, I beg you to put it aside; if you consider me at fault, and this fault is pardonable, forgive me. I appreciate your felicitation to La Solidaridad, and I enclose it to the authors of the beautiful articles and the pungent hash. Our newspaper would be more worthy of congratulation had you not deprived it of your articles. We would much like that you resume writing for it; not only would we strengthen La Solidaridad but we would defeat the friar intrigue in the Philippines, according to which complete disagreement reigns among us and Mr. Maguel Morayta has abandoned us. Regards to Alejandrino and command your friends Pilar [Marcelo H. del Pilar]