On February 3, 1888 we departed at 5:00 o’clock p.m., Friday.
On leaving Manila, I did not feel that sweet and melancholy sadness of six years ago, upon seeing the towers of the cathedrals and the big convents. I was accompanied by my brothers-in-law and cousins.
Rizal is comparing his 1888 departure with the tearful parting of May 1882, his first trip abroad, when he drew a silhouette of Manila as the steamer sailed off to Europe.