The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1853]
DANGEROUS STATE OF HEALTH.
" ' The change of your official position which is urged in it
depends upon matters not altogether
in the control of the Govern-
ment; and, although I am enabled to say that upon a fitting
opportunity arising it is probable that an offer would be made by
the Government to use Colonel Maberly's services in another
department, I have no knowledge whatever of Colonel Maberly's
wishes or intentions in regard to his own position, nor do I feel it
necessary at present to inquire into them.
" '
I trust that you will not be disappointed if I am unable to give
any further or more positive reply to your request.
" '
I return the copy of the '
'
confidential correspondence
which
I received from you, and which has since been seen by the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer.
" ' ROWLAND HILL, Esq.,
'"&c., &c., &c.'"
'"I am, my dear Sir,
" '
Yours very faithfully,
" '
CANNING.
I was much disappointed ; for with every allowance
for official caution, the letter promised but little, and
seemed to imply that, even if a fit opportunity should
occur, there was no intention of requiring Colonel
Maberly to give up his present appointment. If any
one regards my distrust as unwarrantable, I think he
will find excuse in considering the numberless disappointments
I had already sustained.
" August 16th, Placed the subjoined letter in the hands of the
Postmaster-General. Explained verbally the danger to my health,
and even life, of continuing the present arrangements, described my
sufferings from a tendency of blood to the head, . . . and suggested
his seeing Hodgson* on the subject. I told him that my
object was to satisfy him of the real difficulties of the case, and that
in saying I could not go on as at present, I did not mean that I
would not. I think the communication will have its effect."
*
The late Mr. Joseph Hodgson, sometime President of the Royal College of
valued and
Surgeons ; for nearly fifty years my medical adviser, and likewise my
intimate friend.