The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

2l8 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1853
was now assured that, in order to facilitate the desired
change, Mr. Gladstone would arrest certain economical
measures which had been decided on, and to which he
attached great importance. The vacancy in prospect
was that of the Chairmanship of the Audit Office
(spoken of long ago by Lord Clanricarde), but no exact
information existed as to the intentions of the incum-
bent, Sir William Herries. Lord Canning, however,
undertook to inquire. He soon afterwards informed
me that Sir William Herries had, some time before, proposed
to retire if Government would give him a
regiment ; but, upon a cavalry regiment being offered,
had preferred to wait for one of infantry. Upon my
understand that Government
inquiring whether I might
would take the first opportunity of giving Colonel
Maberly another appointment, Lord Canning,
after re-
minding me of the sacrifice already made to that end,
added that Mr. Gladstone had expressed an opinion to
he should succeed in
the effect, that if, by so doing,
retaining my services, he should most effectually consult
the interests of the Government and the expectations
of the public.
I could not but express my gratification
at so high a compliment. I still, however, pressed for
a definite answer to my question, and finally,
the Post-
master-General promised again to consult the higher
authorities, and to write me an answer to my letter.
He added, that he should show the draft of his letter to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and probably to Lord
Aberdeen.
"August loth. Received the following letter from Lord
Canning :
" '
Grosvenor Square,
"
'August gth, 1853.
'"Mv DEAR SIR, I have laid your letter of the i8th of June
before Lord Aberdeen and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
have given it their attentive consideration.