Notes

RIZAL IN FRANCE and GERMANY
• After finishing his studies in Madrid, Rizal decided to move to France and Germany, due to his desire to specialize in OPHTHALMOLOGY.
• Why ophthalmology?
- Ophthalmology as a specialization in medicine due to his desire to cure the eye ailment of his mother.
• Along with his studies in ophthalmology, Rizal continued to observe the government and laws, along with the traditions and customs of both France and Germany.


RIZAL IN PARIS (1885-1886)
• At the age of 24, Rizal was a ‘full pledged surgeon’, when he moved to Paris.
• The decision to move to Paris was due to his intention to specialize in Ophthalmology.
• For four months Rizal worked as an assistant at the eye clinic of Dr. Louis de Wecker, whom he had learned the following from: the actual performance of eye operation; studies on the ailment of the eyes and various eye operating techniques.
• Outside of work, Rizal’s frequent interactions with other Filipino’s in the city contributed to his ability to learn and speak fluent French.
• During his stay in Juan Luna’s studio in Paris, Rizal became Juan Luna’s model in two historical canvasses.
- The Blood Compact (where he posed as Sikatuna)
- Death of Cleopatra (a priest)
• During the time before he left Paris, Rizal completed one-fourth of his first novel Noli Me Tangere.

RIZAL IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
• Due to the high living cost in Paris, Rizal left for Germany after specializing in ophthalmology.
• On February 3, 1886, he arrived in Heidelberg, the University town of Germany.
• During the time he resided in a German boarding house, he had befriended German Law students, and became popular as he became a member of the Chess Players’ Club of Heidelberg.
• Later on Rizal transferred to a boarding house close to the University of Heidelberg, where he was able to work at the university’s eye hospital under Dr. Otto Becker.
• During his stay in this town Rizal was able to perfect the techniques of diagnosing eye ailments, which he had learned from Dr. Louis de Wecker.
• During his stay at Heidelberg, Rizal wrote letters to his sisters Maria and Trinidad, wherein he described Germany as a country of obedience and order.
- German students as affectionate, respectful, modest, and not boastful.
- Women as tall, stout, and blonde.
• He stressed on how German women are concerned about education, simple, serious, are industrious and not afraid of men. Showing how he wishes that his sisters would achieve the virtues he saw in German women.

A LAS FLORES del HEIDELBERG
• The scenery inspired Rizal to write the poem To The Flowers of Heidelberg where it describes the two greatest loves of men on earth; remembrance, and poem for mother land.
• Expresses Rizal’s longing for his native land, and desire to express his love for his country.

SUMMER VACTION AT WILHELMSFELD
• Rizal took a three month vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village at Heildelberg.
• He spent his summer staying with Pastor Ulmers family, who’s wife greatly admired Rizal due to his disposition, personality, and along with his talents.
• From his stay Rizal was able to appreciate the religious tolerance the people practiced in the area. ; Pastor Ulmer got along well with the Catholic Priest in the area.
• Something that was not possible in the Philippines at the time, due to the friars belief that only they were the purveyors of God.

FRIST CORRESPONDENCE WITH BLUMENTRITT
• After his vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, Rizal sent his first correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt, as he was driven to write to the other due to the latter’s interest in ethnology and Philippine languages.
• Rizal, sent a book entitled Arithmetica by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez, and in return Blumentritt sent to him two books marking the beginning of their frequent interactions, and the lasting friendship between them.

RIZAL TO LEIPZIG AND DRESDEN
• Rizal arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886 to attend lectures in history and psychology given by German professors.
• At the University of Heidelberg Rizal came to know of Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a famous German historian, and Dr. Hans Meyer, a famous German anthropologist.
• It was at this city the Rizal translated William Tell into tagalong, wanting to inform Filipino’s of the story of the Champion of the Swiss independence, along with Fairytales written by Hans Christian Andersen.
• During his stay in Leipzig, he was able to work as a proofreader in a publishing company due to his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages.
• But due to the cost of living he only stayed for two months.
• After Leipzig, he went on to Dresden and stayed for only three days. There he met Dr. Adolph Meyer the director of Anthropological and Ethnological Museum of the city.

RIZAL IN BERLIN
• He arrived in Berlin on November 1, 1886, due to his desire to enhance his knowledge of ophthalmology, to supplement his studies of languages and science, to study and observe the political economics of Germany, to join the circle of famous German scholars and scientists, and to finish his novel Noli Me Tangere
• At Berlin, her met Dr. Feodor Jagor, the author of the book Travels in the Philippines. A book he admired when he was a student in UST, due to how it predicted the collapse of the Spanish’s regime over the Philippines, and the coming of the Americans to the Philippines.
• Him being acquainted with Dr. Jagor, gave him the opportunity to befriend numerous German intellectuals and led him to become a member of prestigious societies of scholars and intellectuals.
• Rizal was accepted as a member of societies in Berlin such as, the Anthropological Society; Ethnological Society, Geographical Society.
• Invited by Dr. Virchow, Rizal presented a paper in German entitled Tagalische Verkunst or Tagalog Metrical Art, to the Ethnographic Society of Berlin, receiving appreciation and proof of Rizal’s scientific knowledge in Europe.
• Though Rizal was not living an easy life in Berlin. He worked as an assistant in a clinic, then attended lectures in the evening, and continued physical trimming exercising and practicing speaking different languages at his boarding house, all before he took time to complete writing his novel.
• Though he was exposed to many enriching experiences he was often penniless, due to his brother Paciano being unable to send him his owing due to the crisis Calamba was facing due to Crop failures.
• He resulted into pawning his diamond ring, given by his sister, and selling his books to second hand bookstores.
• He even showed the sign of tuberculosis, and at some point taught of burning his manuscript of Noli Me Tangere which he had finally finished.