The fact was, that in his letters to his mother he had sought for some favorable report of Ellen De Freston's interest, and, if possible, a word of attachment which might inspire him with hope. At that period the communication between Ipswich and Oxford was only by pack-horses and special messengers. Young men did not often visit their friends during their academical career; and, if progressing favorably at the University, they were content to let their relatives perceive their affection by their devotion to the studies of the place. Had any letter from his mother given him encouragement to come home, Wolsey was not the man to delay. It was when he was in one of these abstracted moods, that Latimer came to announce to him that he was going to Ipswich, and thence to a foreign country, to Padua, the seat of learning, especially of perfection in the Greek language. 'I must visit Freston Tower again,' he said; 'can I not convey some token of your regard for old and early associations?' 'Are you really going to my native town?' he answered, apparently with deep interest. 'Yes, my friend, I would have you call and see my parents, and commend me to them. Tell them I want for nothing here; that I send my duty, love, and greeting, and hope that they continue in health. Commend me also to my old friends Daundy, Sparrowe, Cady, Smart, and Tooley, and tell them all that I am so mindful of their early fostering care of me, that I will not forget their bright example of encouraging learning--that I am devoted to it, and will do my best endeavors to promote it at Ipswich.' Here he paused, and Latimer replied-- 'And Lord De Freston--and Ellen! no message for them?' 'Yes, yes! I have a message to the former. Tell De Freston that I never forget him; that I am very proud of all his congratulatory letters; that I think of his castle, of his lovely tower, of the beautiful banks of the Orwell, of his love of literature. Yes! convey this, my first prize, to him, this beautiful edition of the first New Testament ever printed, which was in the memorable year I came to Oxford. Tell him, from me, that I have proud pleasure in sending by your hand such a token of my regard.' He took down from his book-shelf a splendid edition of the Novum Testamentum, Nicolai De Lyra, beautifully bound in vellum, with a Latin inscription upon the exterior of the cover, to Thomas Wolsey, scholar of Magdalen. This work had every capital letter throughout its pages illuminated with blue and red paint. The text is superb, and the marginal notes elaborate, and beautifully printed at Nuremberg, in the year 1485. 'And what for Ellen, Thomas?'