The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1850] LORD ASHLEY'S MOTION CARRIED. 157
" May 3ist. Called on the Postmaster-General [then recovering
from a dangerous illness] to report last night's proceedings. The
Times, which gives the best account of the debate, has also an
excellent leader."
In consequence of this resolution of the House, I
was summoned by the Postmaster-General and the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who wished to consult
me as to the course to be taken. While thinking it
better to give way in the main, they
seemed inclined
to take an exception in favour of "delivery at the
window ;
" but against this exception I strongly protested,
our experience in Scotland having shown that
it would involve more labour, to say nothing of
unseemly crowding, than delivery in the ordinary
manner.
" I suggested that, as the motion proposes
the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the
stoppage of the mails, the Commission should also
inquire into the stoppage of the deliveries and collections.
Nothing was decided, as the Chancellor of
the Exchequer has to consult Lord John Russell."
"June 6th. While at the Treasury, came in. On my
laughing at him for his vote on the Sunday question, he admitted
that he was ashamed of it, adding that he did not expect to be in
a majority. I believe that many of the votes were given under
similar expectations."*
'"June fiJi. Mr. Forster [M.P. for Berwick] called to consult me
as to his endeavouring to re-open the Sunday question. I advised
him to do nothing without previously consulting the Chancellor of
the Exchequer."
''June 8th. Lord John Russell, in reply to Mr. Forster, stated
that he would not support any motion for the reversal of the reso-
lution of the House on the subject of Sunday duties."
* Such inconsistency was not confined to Members of Parliament ; the incum-
bent of a certain parish in which Sunday delivery had been suspended in consequence
of a memorial, to which his own signature was attached, no sooner felt the
inconvenience of the change than he wrote an indignant protest against it ; naively
declaring that he had never thought the petition would be granted.