The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

222 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1854
manner. As regards myself, it has been rather a conversation or
discussion (as though I were a member of the Commission) than an
examination."
Of the results of the investigation I shall speak
under the head " Salaries."
The opening of the year 1854 still found me in the
same position, though, certainly, with a better defined
prospect than ever before. I had now, however,
completed the seventh year of my
service at the Post
Office, and, perhaps, I may be excused if, in comparing
fulfilment with expectations held out, I thought seven
years a rather free interpretation of six months. Still,
being convinced that the Postmaster-General was as
earnest in my favour as even Lord Clanricarde had
been, and also that the Chancellor of the Exchequer
and even the Premier were sincerely desirous of
speedily effecting the proposed change,
health would not admit of
to wait a little, though my
I could afford
a long delay. Fortunately, encouraging information
soon came.
"January 6th, 1834. The Postmaster-General entered on the
subject of my position at the Post Office. Showed me a letter from
Lord Hardinge, to which he, no doubt, referred on the i3th of
October ; it is dated in August. Lord H. states that, at the usual
rate of mortality among colonels, Sir William Henries' turn would
occur before the end of January."
"January i6th. Dined at Lord Canning's; a pleasant small
party.
I sat next to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with whom I
had much agreeable conversation."
I remember that I returned home with the im-
pression that I had been all the time upon my trial
(in a most friendly spirit, however), first, before the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, and afterwards, though
the notion may seem ridiculous, before Lady Canning,