The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

120 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1849
" Same day. Received a letter from the Postmaster-General,
expressing an opinion that the steps taken will soon put the public
right. Wrote in reply."
Three days later, being asked by Colonel Maberly
if it was my intention that none but volunteers should
be taken, and being urged by Mr. Bokenham (the
head of the department immediately concerned) to
allow of compulsion, with a warning that otherwise
men would hardly be procured, I replied that I would
rather give up the measure than compel a single man
to attend. On the morrow I had again support from
a very important quarter :
"
October 5th. The Times this morning has an able defence,
founded chiefly on the information supplied in my letter to the
Editor."
But pending the beneficial effect which such articles
might gradually produce upon the middle classes, the
state of mind in the class whence letter-carriers and
messengers are drawn remained matter of anxiety. On
the day on which the article appeared there was a straw
to show which way the wind was blowing ; and however
ludicrous the incident appears now that the storm
is passed, it was not half so funny at the moment.
" The excitement against the measure (or rather against that which
has been falsely stated to be the measure), and I fear against myself
individually, is becoming popular. To-day Sir John Easthope saw in
the street a boy [selling gingerbeer] with a placard round his hat
inscribed "Anti-Rowland Hill Pop."
The following day, however, brought more support
from the press :
"
October 6th. The Morning Chronicle has an able defence of the
measure, so had the Globe of last night ; indeed, the whole of the
daily press, except the Morning Herald (which is rabid)
Standard, is, I believe, on the right side."
and the