The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

2O4 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1852
of the recent measures, and requested him (Tilley) to ask me if I
had any objection to propose a division of duties. I replied that I
should willingly consider the subject, and discuss it with Tilley or
with Colonel Maberly himself, if the latter preferred my so doing,
and expressed a general desire to meet his wishes as far as possible."
Shortly
afterwards I transacted business for the first
time, save on a trifling matter, with my new official
superior, who had informed me that he should attend
the office daily and work hard. My first experience
was, as will be seen, of a mixed character. It must
be borne in mind that Lord Hardwicke had been accustomed
to the strict discipline of a man-of-war :
"March ijth. Laid several important minutes before the Post-
master-General. He expressed his concurrence in all, and earnest
approval of some ; but, instead of signing them and returning them
to me, as Lord Clanricarde would have done, he said he should keep
them, and send them, when signed, with other papers, to Colonel
Maberly, in order that they might be properly entered ; and on my
explaining that I always sent the minutes to be entered, after which
they went to Colonel Maberly, the Postmaster-General intimated, in
rather a peremptory manner, that he must do his own business in his
own way."
" March i8th. Gave Lord Hardwicke a statement of my duties
and responsibilities, he having called upon
the like."
the chief officers to do
The minute examination which is, doubtless, indis-
pensable on board a man-of-war, was less profitable in
the Post Office :
"March 2Oth. We are suffering much inconvenience from the
manner in which Lord Hardwicke delays his decision on the
minutes: those left with him on the i3th instant are not yet
returned. He appears to be making the mistake of attempting
too much. He is calling for all sorts of returns, some on unim-
portant matters, e.g., the number of fires lighted daily in the office,
and seems unwilling to rely sufficiently on the recommendations of
his advisers."