The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1849] LORD JOHN RUSSELL. 121
This was immediately followed by support from a
quarter of yet more direct importance :
" Same day.
Exchequer
Received a summons to attend the Chancellor of the
at half-past twelve. Maberly also was summoned. We
were shown into separate waiting-rooms, and Maberly was called in
first. In about a quarter of an hour I was called in also. Hayter
was present. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Hayter both
spoke in strong terms of the excellence of the measure and the folly
of the opposition. . . . After some discussion and inquiry, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote a letter to Lord John Russell,
containing a brief statement of the main facts of the case, which he
read to us, at the same time adding that Lord John will decide
whether to give way to the clamour or not."
only
At the same conference I had to report that as yet
three volunteers had come forward for the new
work ; but, again expressing my strong objection to
compulsion, I mentioned a device for simplifying the
sorting by which I was confident the work might be
performed by unpractised hands. Though Colonel
the Chancellor of
Maberly still preferred compulsion,
the Exchequer authorized an experimental trial of the
plan, which, with the aid of two of my nephews, I
made without delay, and in two days carried so far as
to obtain satisfactory results ; a fact, doubtless, not
lost on the regular force.
" October gth. In the course of the day went to the Treasury to
report progress. Saw Hayter, who sent in a note to the Chancellor
of the Exchequer (a Cabinet sitting at the time) containing my
report."
" October loth. The Chancellor of the Exchequer sent for me,
Lord John Russell having decided that the minute shall be published
forthwith. ... I fear the publication will be too late. A large
deputation waits on Lord John Russell and the Chancellor of the
Exchequer to-morrow, and the Postmaster General is
town."
summoned to
"
October nth. The minute appears in all the morning papers
except the Times"