Ethelwolf remained a year at Rome, to give Alfred the benefit of the advantages which the city afforded.

The boy was of a reflective and thoughtful turn of mind, and applied himself diligently to the performance of his duties.
His mind was rapidly expanded, his powers were developed, and stores of such knowledge as was adapted to the circumstances and wants of the times were laid up.

The religious and intellectual influences thus brought to bear upon the young Alfred's mind produced strong and decided effects in the formation of his character--effects which were very strikingly visible in his subsequent career.
Ethelwolf found, when he arrived at Rome, that the Saxon seminary had been burned the preceding year.

It had been founded by a former Saxon king.

Ethelwolf rebuilt it, and placed the institution on a new and firmer foundation than before.