'Master is very good. He lets all gentlemen who visit him in this great mansion take a horse whenever they please. It is for this reason thou seest so many saddles and bridles on now. And, hark! John, thou'rt called. Lead out the brown mare to the block's foot and never mind the blockhead.' This was said with a knowing wink to John Hibbert, the groom's boy, afterwards Wolsey's state-groom, and was meant to make a jest of Arthur Burch, in whose simplicity, however, there was nothing to be ashamed of. It was the evening hour in which the fellows of Magdalen indulged in the recreation of a summer's ride, then so frequent along the banks of the Isis, that a man of Magdalen was thought nothing of, except he were an equestrian. Arthur was astounded at the number of friends, serving-men, and gentlemen acquaintances, which Master Thomas Wolsey must have; and he bethought him then, what a famous thing it must be to be a learned man. Presently, he was soon conducted to the stone staircase leading to the bursar's rooms, and was confronted with the man whom he once looked upon as my lord's hanger on; and now beheld, as he thought, the lord of all that princely building. Wolsey started, as he recognised Lord De Freston's servant. 'Arthur, what now?' he exclaimed. 'What brings thee out of Suffolk?' 'My master's orders.' 'Dost thou deliver them, verbally?' 'No, sir, by letter.' Here he delivered one enclosed in a leathern case, which, though couched in quaint terms, may not form an unpleasant diversion to the reader. Its matter was of sufficient moment to induce Wolsey to say: 'Arthur, thou mayst retire; my servant's room is at the foot of the stairs. Tell him thy wants, and they shall be supplied.' 'Thank you, sir; but I shall want little else than an answer to my lord's message. I should like to see this fine house, and something of the city. I hear ye be all very learned people here.' 'Peter will show thee something of the University. Thou mayst retire.' Arthur retired, filled with the most inconceivable admiration of Master Thomas's greatness; and soliloquised as ha descended the stone steps: 'I always said Master Thomas would be a great man. He always walked like one, spoke like one, and seemed so easy with all great men, and so learned too! No one can be great without learning. It must be a fine thing.' The letter was written in the following words: '_To Thomas Wulcey, bye th'r hand of Arthur Burch, oure survin-man. This comeyth from Lord De Freston and Ellen his well-beloved daughter._