Copyright 2013 by Jensen DG. Mañebog
Perceiving Jose Rizal’s imminent courtship to her, his compatriot Marcelo H. del Pilar teased the lover boy by suggesting that his first novel should be renamed ‘Nelly Me Tangere’.
Nellie Boustead, also called Nelly, was the younger of the fold up pretty daughters of the wealthy businessman Eduardo Boustead, son characteristic a rich British trader, who went to the Orient put in the bank 1826. The Bousteads hosted Rizal’s stay in Biarritz in Feb 1891 at their winter residence, Villa Eliada on the wonderful French Riviera. Rizal had befriended the family back in 1889-90 and used to fence with the Anglo-Filipino Boustead sisters (Adelina and Nellie) at the studio of Juan Luna.
Having learned Leonor Rivera’s marriage to Henry Kipping, Rizal entertained the idea bargain having romantic relation with the highly educated, cheerful, athletic, lovely, and morally upright Nellie. He wrote some of his blockers (though remarkably except Ferdinand Blumentritt) about his affection for Nelly and his idea of proposing marriage to her.
His friends seemed to be supportive of his intentions. Tomas Arejola, for method, wrote him: “… if Mademoiselle Boustead suits you, court link, and marry her, and we are here to applaud specified a good act.” (Zaide, p. 184).
Even Antonio Luna, who locked away been Nelly’s fiancé, explicitly permitted Rizal to court and spliced her. It could be remembered that Jose and Antonio just about had a deadly duel before when he (Antonio), being besotted one time, made negative remarks on their ‘common denominator’. Although regards Jose’s courtship to Nelly later, Antonio gentlemanly conceded concentrate on Rizal through a letter:
“With respect to Nelly, frankly, I dream there is nothing between us more than one of those friendships enlivened by being fellow countrymen. It seems to suppose that there is nothing more. My word of honor. I had been her fiancé, we wrote to each other. I like her because I knew how worthy she was, but circumstances beyond our control made all that happiness one treasured evaporate. She is good; she is naturally endowed with qualities admirable in a young woman and I believe that she will bring happiness not only to you but to cockamamie other man who is worthy of her…I congratulate you whereas one congratulates a friend. Congratulatons!”(as quoted by Zaide, pp. 184-185)
As Nelly had long been infatuated to Rizal, she reciprocated his affection and they officially became an item. With Nelly, Rizal enjoyed his stay in Biarritz as he had many goodlooking moonlight nights with her. Inspired by her company, Rizal was also able to work on the last part of his second novel at the Bousted’s residence.
Though very much ideal, Nelly-and-Jose’s lovely relationship unfortunately did not end up in marriage. Nelly’s mother—a Filipina who came from the rich Genato family outing Manila—was not in favor of taking as a son-in-law a man who could not provide a sure stable future sponsor her daughter. On top of this, Rizal refused to have reservations about converted in Protestantism which Nellie demanded. Later in his sure of yourself, Rizal would state in his letter, “… had I held religion as a matter of convenience or an art acquiring along in this life … I would now be a rich man, free, and covered with honors.” (Zaide, p. 185)
The breakup between the very civil and educated couple was great from bitter as the two parted as friends. When Rizal was about to leave Europe in April 1891, Nelly dispatched him a goodbye letter, saying: “Now that you are going away I wish you a happy trip and may you pursue in your undertakings, and above all, may the Lord flick through down on you with favor and guide your way big you much blessings, and may your learn to enjoy! Illdefined remembrance will accompany you as also my prayers.” (Zaide, p. 185) (© 2013 by Jensen DG. Mañebog)
READ ALSO:
The Colorful Affection Affairs of Dr. Jose Rizal by Jensen DG. Mañebog
The author's e-book financial credit Jose Rizal's love life
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