from Rome to Lisbon was all the way by land, and was above
three months. Xavier had a horse allowed him, by order from the
ambassador; but they were no sooner on their way, than he made him
common. The Father often alighted to ease the servants who followed on
foot; or exchanged his horse with others, who were not so well mounted.
At the inns he was every man's servant, even to the rubbing of the
horses, by an excess of humility, which, on those occasions, caused him
to forget the dignity of his character. He resigned his chamber and his
bed to those who wanted them; and never lodged but either on the ground,
or on the litter in the stable. In the rest of his actions, ever
cheerful, and pleasant in discourse, which made all men desirous of his
company; but always mixing somewhat with that gaiety, which was edifying
both to the masters and the servants, and inspired them alike with
thoughts of piety.

They went by Loretto, where they rested at the least eight days; after
which they continued their journey by Bolognia. From thence, Xavier wrote
to Ignatius, in this manner:

"I received, on the holiday of Easter, the letter which you wrote and
inclosed in the packet of my lord ambassador. God only knows my joy in
receiving it. Believing, as I do, that we shall never entertain each
other in this world, by any other way than that of writing, and that we
shall never see each other but in heaven, it concerns us, that little
time we have to live in this place of exile, to give ourselves the mutual
consolation of frequent letters. The correspondence, on my part, shall be
exactly kept; for being convinced, by the reasons which you gave me at
our parting, that a commerce of this nature ought to be established, in a
regular method, betwixt the colonies and the mother country, I have
resolved, that in whatever parts of the world I shall reside, or any
members of our Society with me, to maintain a strict communication with
you, and with the fathers at Rome, and send you as large an account, as
possibly I can, of any news concerning us. I have taken my opportunity of
seeing the Cardinal of Invrea, as you gave me in command, and have
discoursed at leisure with him. He received me with much goodness, and
offered me, with great civility, his interest, for our common cause. In
the midst of the discourse, which we had together, I threw myself at his
feet, and kissed his hand, in the name of all our Society. As much as I
can gather by his