The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1853] PROMOTION OR RESIGNATION. 2 1/
the railway system into the heart of the Metropolis
should have shown what site and what arrangements
would best suit the altered state of things. I observed
also, that from overtures made to the department by
some of the projectors, I thought it highly probable
that whatever changes in the Post Office might be
rendered necessary or desirable by the new state of
things, they would not have to be made altogether, perhaps
not mainly, at the cost of Government.
After referring to the almost clamorous demand
for further facilities in the transmission of letters, a
demand which could not be effectually met without
energetic and cordial co-operation in the higher departments
of the Executive, and ready obedience and
zealous activity in all the subordinates,
follows :
I concluded as
" Having written thus far, and having also carefully considered
every statement and every remark I have made, I feel it my duty to
say that, after all the deliberation required by so grave a question,
I have arrived at the settled conviction that the existing state of
things cannot continue ; and I therefore respectfully request that in
considering the present application such continuance may not be regarded
as a possible alternative.
"
I am sure your lordship will believe me incapable of dealing
lightly with that connection with the Post Office on which I set so
great and just a value : to devise and bring into operation,
so far as it
has been effected, my system of Penny Postage, has been the
cherished object of the best years of my life ;
interest in its progress,
whether I am an instrument or not in promoting it, will ever retain
******
The whole correspondence relative to my position
the firmest hold on my mind, and would suffice to keep me in any
course but one which I feel to be inconsistent alike with my private
and my public duty."
was submitted by Lord Canning to Mr. Gladstone, who,
in turn, as I was informed, consulted the Premier, Lord
Aberdeen. But I again encountered delay, though I