The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1851
proposed as only an instalment on my claim, . . . and that
many important improvements must be deferred so long as the
direct authority of Secretary to the Post Office is withheld from
me."
" Saw Warburton and reported to him the result, which he con-
siders satisfactory."
"January jist.
" ' MY
Received the following from Hume :
" '
Burnley Hall, 3Oth January, 1851.
DEAR SIR, I have had a letter from Mr. Cobden on the
subject I wrote to him about, and on my arrival in London, on the
3rd of February, I shall have the pleasure of writing to you or seeing
you, after I have had some conversation with Mr. Cobden, and some
other persons.
'"I think your object may be attained, which will give satisfaction
to yours sincerely,
"'ROWLAND HILL, Esq., General Post Office.'"
" '
JOSEPH HUME.
"February
that had occurred. He will join Hume and Cobden in doing what
1st. Moffatt called. Told him in confidence much
I want."
"
February 3rd. Called on Cobden, who is just returned to town.
Told him in confidence the greater part of what passed between the
Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself. He will see Hume in the
morning, and will try to get him to settle matters without consulting
any one else. ... In the course of conversation I said I feared
that the Sunday agitation had injured my influence with the public,
but Cobden replied that it was no such thing ; that I was '
the most
popular man in the world.'"
In reference to my conversation with the Chancellor
of the Exchequer I spoke to the Postmaster-General
on the subject of assistance. I proposed that I should
have as assistant-secretary some one in whom I had
entire confidence, and who would be able to take my
place in case of my absence, and I pointed out that
for such duty a knowledge of Post Office details was
unnecessary. His lordship expressed general concurrence,
but said that he must speak on the subject with
the Chancellor of the Exchequer. My wish was to