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The Social Cancer, by José Rizal 24 No! there is nought to be seen there but parsons, and syndics of commerce, Secretaries perchance, ensigns and majors of horse. But, my good friend, pray tell, what can such people e'er meet with That can be truly call'd great?--what that is great can they do? SCHILLER: Shakespeare's Ghost. (Bowring's translation.) CONTENTS Author's Dedication I A Social Gathering II Crisostomo Ibarra III The Dinner IV Heretic and Filibuster V A Star in a Dark Night VI Capitan Tiago VII An Idyl on an Azotea VIII Recollections IX Local Affairs X The Town XI The Rulers XII All Saints XIII Signs of Storm XIV Tasio: Lunatic or Sage IV The Sacristans XVI Sisa XVII Basilio XVIII Souls In Torment XIX A Schoolmaster's Difficulties XX The Meeting in the Town Hall XXI The Story of a Mother XXII Lights and Shadows XXIII Fishing XXIV In the Wood XXV In the House of the Sage XXVI The Eve of the Fiesta XXVII In the Twilight XXVIII Correspondence XXIX The Morning XXX In the Church XXXI The Sermon XXXII The Derrick XXXIII Free Thought XXXIV The Dinner XXXV Comments XXXVI The First Cloud XXXVII His Excellency XXXVIII The Procession XXXIX Doña Consolación XL Right and Might XLI Two Visits XLII The Espadañas XLIII Plans XLIV An Examination of Conscience XLV The Hunted XLVI The Cockpit XLVII The Two Señoras XLVIII The Enigma XLIX The Voice of the Hunted L Elias's Story LI Exchanges LII The Cards of the Dead and the Shadows LIII Il Buon Dí Si Conosce Da Mattina LIV Revelations LV The Catastrophe LVI Rumors and Belief LVII Vae Victis! LVIII The Accursed LIX Patriotism and Private Interests LX Maria Clara Weds LXI The Chase on the Lake LXII Padre Damaso Explains LXIII Christmas Eve Epilogue Glossary AUTHOR'S DEDICATION To My Fatherland: Recorded in the history of human sufferings is a cancer of so malignant a character that the least touch irritates it and awakens in it the sharpest pains. Thus, how many times, when in the midst of modern civilizations I have wished to call thee before me, now to accompany me in memories, now to compare thee with other countries, hath thy dear image presented itself showing a social cancer like to that other! Desiring thy welfare, which is our own, and seeking the best treatment, I will do with thee what the ancients did with their sick, exposing them on the steps of the temple so that every one who came to invoke the Divinity might offer them a remedy. And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition faithfully, without discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil that covers the evil, sacrificing to truth everything, even vanity itself, since, as thy son, I am conscious that I also suffer from thy defects and weaknesses. THE AUTHOR EUROPE, 1886 THE SOCIAL CANCER
CHAPTER I 25 CHAPTER I A Social Gathering On the last of October Don Santiago de los Santos, popularly known as Capitan Tiago, gave a dinner. In spite of the fact that, contrary to his usual custom, he had made the announcement only that afternoon, it was already the sole topic of conversation in Binondo and adjacent districts, and even in the Walled City, for at that time Capitan Tiago was considered one of the most hospitable of men, and it was well known that his house, like his country, shut its doors against nothing except commerce and all new or bold ideas. Like an electric shock the announcement ran through the world of parasites, bores, and hangers-on, whom God in His infinite bounty creates and so kindly multiplies in Manila. Some looked at once for shoe-polish, others for buttons and cravats, but all were especially concerned about how to greet the master of the house in the most familiar tone, in order to create an atmosphere of ancient friendship or, if occasion should arise, to excuse a late arrival. This dinner was given in a house on Calle Anloague, and although we do not remember the number we will describe it in such a way that it may still be recognized, provided the earthquakes have not destroyed it. We do not believe that its owner has had it torn down, for such labors are generally entrusted to God or nature--which Powers hold the contracts also for many of the projects of our government. It is a rather large building, in the style of many in the country, and fronts upon the arm of the Pasig which is known to some as the Binondo River, and which, like all the streams in Manila, plays the varied rôles of bath, sewer, laundry, fishery, means of transportation and communication, and even drinking water if the Chinese water-carrier finds it convenient. It is worthy of note that in the distance of nearly a mile this important artery of the district, where traffic is most dense and movement most deafening, can boast of only one wooden bridge, which is out of repair on one side for six months and impassable on the other for the rest of the year, so that during the hot season the ponies take advantage of this permanent status quo to jump off the bridge into the water, to the great surprise of the abstracted mortal who may be dozing inside the carriage or philosophizing upon the progress of the age. The house of which we are speaking is somewhat low and not exactly correct in all its lines: whether the architect who built it was afflicted with poor eyesight or whether the earthquakes and typhoons have twisted it out of shape, no one can say with certainty. A wide staircase with green newels and carpeted steps leads from the tiled entrance up to the main floor between rows of flower-pots set upon pedestals of motley-colored and fantastically decorated Chinese porcelain. Since there are neither porters nor servants who demand invitation cards, we will go in, O you who read this, whether friend or foe, if you are attracted by the strains of the orchestra, the lights, or the suggestive rattling of dishes, knives, and forks, and if you wish to see what such a gathering is like in the distant Pearl of the Orient. Gladly, and for my own comfort, I should spare you this description of the house, were it not of great importance, since we mortals in general are very much like tortoises: we are esteemed and classified according to our shells; in this and still other respects the mortals of the Philippines in particular also resemble tortoises. If we go up the stairs, we immediately find ourselves in a spacious hallway, called there, for some unknown reason, the caida, which tonight serves as the dining-room and at the same time affords a place for the orchestra. In the center a large table profusely and expensively decorated seems to beckon to the hanger-on with sweet promises, while it threatens the bashful maiden, the simple dalaga, with two mortal hours in the company of strangers whose language and conversation usually have a very restricted and special character. Contrasted with these terrestrial preparations are the motley paintings on the walls representing religious matters, such as "Purgatory," "Hell," "The Last Judgment," "The Death of the Just," and "The Death of the Sinner." At the back of the room, fastened in a splendid and elegant framework, in the Renaissance style, possibly by Arévalo, is a glass case in which are seen the figures of two old women. The inscription on this reads: "Our
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Page 27 and 28: CHAPTER I 27 Quite in contrast, the
Page 29 and 30: CHAPTER I 29 "No, sir, I've come at
Page 31 and 32: CHAPTER I 31 "They say that he has
Page 33 and 34: CHAPTER II 33 started toward them i
Page 35 and 36: CHAPTER III 35 But all the seats we
Page 37 and 38: CHAPTER III 37 That night the rubic
Page 39 and 40: CHAPTER IV 39 "I must believe that
Page 41 and 42: CHAPTER IV 41 each other and even p
Page 43 and 44: CHAPTER VI 43 CHAPTER VI Capitan Ti
Page 45 and 46: CHAPTER VI 45 weeping piously, when
Page 47 and 48: CHAPTER VI 47 pretty young woman of
Page 49 and 50: CHAPTER VII 49 CHAPTER VII An Idyl
Page 51 and 52: CHAPTER VII 51 "Could I forget you?
Page 53 and 54: CHAPTER VII 53 the day for commemor
Page 55 and 56: CHAPTER VIII 55 He met many carriag
Page 57 and 58: CHAPTER IX 57 CHAPTER IX Local Affa
Page 59 and 60: CHAPTER IX 59 For example, this unr
Page 61 and 62: CHAPTER X 61 A few months after the
Page 63 and 64: CHAPTER XI 63 now seems to have bec
Page 65 and 66: CHAPTER XII 65 CHAPTER XII All Sain
Page 67 and 68: CHAPTER XII 67 The gleam of the sil
Page 69 and 70: CHAPTER XIII 69 "Because the fat cu
Page 71 and 72: CHAPTER XIV 71 CHAPTER XIV Tasio: L
Page 73 and 74: CHAPTER XIV 73 "Doesn't such a misf
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CHAPTER XIV 75 purgatorial decree b
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CHAPTER XV 77 "A hundred and sixty.
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CHAPTER XVI 79 CHAPTER XVI Sisa Thr
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CHAPTER XVI 81 the only three fishe
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CHAPTER XVII 83 The son's questioni
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CHAPTER XVIII 85 CHAPTER XVIII Soul
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CHAPTER XVIII 87 me also. I never r
Page 89 and 90:
CHAPTER XVIII 89 "Don't cry here!"
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CHAPTER XIX 91 "The country will bl
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CHAPTER XIX 93 was impracticable; m
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CHAPTER XX 95 CHAPTER XX The Meetin
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CHAPTER XX 97 "I rise, gentlemen, t
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CHAPTER XX 99 sensibly." "He's mode
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CHAPTER XX 101 "What does the curat
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CHAPTER XXI 103 Upon hearing this S
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CHAPTER XXI 105 There Sisa spent tw
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CHAPTER XXII 107 about the business
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CHAPTER XXIII 109 maintained his se
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CHAPTER XXIII 111 Maria Clara had m
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CHAPTER XXIII 113 "It must be full,
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CHAPTER XXIII 115 "If I had not com
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CHAPTER XXIV 117 "I don't believe i
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CHAPTER XXIV 119 "An unfortunate wo
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CHAPTER XXIV 121 "Who got the best
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CHAPTER XXIV 123 After a time the s
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CHAPTER XXV 125 "If it were not for
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CHAPTER XXV 127 some pretext deny y
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CHAPTER XXV 129 was blowing, and be
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CHAPTER XXVI 131 In the streets are
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CHAPTER XXVI 133 which were wrapped
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CHAPTER XXVII 135 The houses were b
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CHAPTER XXVII 137 Maria Clara gazed
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CHAPTER XXVIII 139 gobernadorcillo,
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CHAPTER XXVIII 141 "Good-by, Choy.
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CHAPTER XXIX 143 Padre Salvi, would
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CHAPTER XXX 145 CHAPTER XXX In the
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CHAPTER XXX 147 of those regions.
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CHAPTER XXXI 149 "Most honorable si
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CHAPTER XXXI 151 "Not yet, O lost o
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CHAPTER XXXII 153 CHAPTER XXXII The
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CHAPTER XXXII 155 of all ages, in c
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CHAPTER XXXII 157 "You're not kille
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CHAPTER XXXIII 159 CHAPTER XXXIII F
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CHAPTER XXXIII 161 "Yes, to do good
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CHAPTER XXXIV 163 "Rather?" exclaim
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CHAPTER XXXIV 165 "Of nothing more,
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CHAPTER XXXIV 167 the gleaming knif
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CHAPTER XXXV 169 young man's skin.
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CHAPTER XXXV 171 folk thought of th
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CHAPTER XXXVI 173 Salvos, the sound
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CHAPTER XXXVII 175 "Oh!" interrupte
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CHAPTER XXXVII 177 "Sir," replied I
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CHAPTER XXXVIII 179 CHAPTER XXXVIII
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CHAPTER XXXVIII 181 "It's the alcal
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CHAPTER XXXIX 183 Sisa, as we saw,
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CHAPTER XXXIX 185 seeking applause
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CHAPTER XXXIX 187 "Yes, now you can
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CHAPTER XL 189 of warlike shows and
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CHAPTER XL 191 Ibarra had returned
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CHAPTER XLI 193 CHAPTER XLI Two Vis
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CHAPTER XLII 195 CHAPTER XLII The E
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CHAPTER XLII 197 wants were pressin
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CHAPTER XLII 199 "Believe me, seño
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CHAPTER XLIII 201 CHAPTER XLIII Pla
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CHAPTER XLIV 203 CHAPTER XLIV An Ex
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CHAPTER XLIV 205 Maria Clara did no
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CHAPTER XLV 207 CHAPTER XLV The Hun
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CHAPTER XLV 209 "I respect your sor
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CHAPTER XLVI 211 CHAPTER XLVI The C
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CHAPTER XLVI 213 of which has a his
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CHAPTER XLVI 215 Then the referee,
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CHAPTER XLVI 217 "What's up?" "How
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CHAPTER XLVII 219 "Can you tell me,
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CHAPTER XLVII 221 "This very day we
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CHAPTER XLVIII 223 "Don Crisostomo,
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CHAPTER XLIX 225 "Elias," answered
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CHAPTER XLIX 227 weapon in the hand
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CHAPTER XLIX 229 "My misfortunes ha
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CHAPTER L 231 returned. He found he
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CHAPTER L 233 Elias was transfigure
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CHAPTER LI 235 have danced. "Padre
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CHAPTER LII 237 CHAPTER LII The Car
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CHAPTER LII 239 Elias lighted match
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CHAPTER LIII 241 CHAPTER LIII Il Bu
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CHAPTER LIII 243 other tendencies,
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CHAPTER LIV 245 "Then, what?" The f
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CHAPTER LIV 247 Ibarra glanced at h
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CHAPTER LV 249 CHAPTER LV The Catas
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CHAPTER LV 251 town, from the light
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CHAPTER LVI 253 CHAPTER LVI Rumors
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CHAPTER LVI 255 "But, woman, haven'
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CHAPTER LVI 257 "The fellow's still
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CHAPTER LVII 259 In the dim light o
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CHAPTER LVII 261 In the center of t
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CHAPTER LVII 263 "No one, sir!" "Wh
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CHAPTER LVIII 265 "My son-in-law ha
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CHAPTER LIX 267 CHAPTER LIX Patriot
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CHAPTER LIX 269 him up and talk to
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CHAPTER LIX 271 Inveni remedium: I'
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CHAPTER LIX 273 stingy--she hasn't
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CHAPTER LX 275 Capitan Tiago, then,
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CHAPTER LX 277 Fray Sibyla looked h
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CHAPTER LX 279 Maria Clara saw him
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CHAPTER LXI 281 CHAPTER LXI The Cha
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CHAPTER LXI 283 aloof. You are mist
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CHAPTER LXI 285 So the chase contin
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CHAPTER LXII 287 "While he lived,"
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CHAPTER LXIII 289 CHAPTER LXIII Chr
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CHAPTER LXIII 291 "Poor old man!" s
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CHAPTER LXIII 293 For a long time t
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CHAPTER LXIII 295 a single word, no
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CHAPTER LXIII 297 achara: Pickles m
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CHAPTER LXIII 299 Indian: The Spani
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CHAPTER LXIII 301 santol: The Phili
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CHAPTER LXIII 303 of record relatin
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CHAPTER LXIII 305 "This image of th
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CHAPTER LXIII 307 [62] The common c
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CHAPTER LXIII 309 [85] The full dre
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CHAPTER LXIII 311 [114] A similar i
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CHAPTER LXIII 313 in the mass for t
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CHAPTER LXIII 315 Creating the work
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CHAPTER LXIII 317 each date on whic
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CHAPTER LXIII 319 with the IRS. The
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