The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1854] MORTALITY AMONG COLONELS. 223
my host having very perceptibly
led me into con-
versation with this highly-accomplished lady, and she
having, with no little tact and much kindness, drawn
me out. I was so far satisfied, however, with the
interview that, had I but been in even my former
health, the remaining interval of expectation would
have seemed short.
"February 2jth. Went to Brighton for a little rest. The harass
and hard work, so much increased of late by railway irregularities
and by the apparently never-ending delay as to my position in the
office, have made me seriously unwell."
Matters, however, were now steadily advancing
towards a conclusion :
"March 2nd. Had some further talk with the Postmaster-General
on the subject of my position. The recent death of Colonel Hay
caused him again to see Lord Hardinge. The next vacancy is to be
offered to Sir William Herries."
It must be admitted that waiting for dead men's
shoes has but little tendency to promote kindly sym-
pathy, and I fear my family, in consulting the military
obituary about this time were not so much impressed
as could be wished with the loss sustained by the
country
in the death of its veterans. The desired
information, however, did not come in the expected
form.
"April
8th. Somewhat startled with the announcement in the
newspapers that Sir William Herries had resigned his appointment
as Chairman of the Audit Office. But the Postmaster-General tells
me that this is a necessary preliminary to his being nominated to a
colonelcy now vacant ; that he (the Postmaster-General) has seen
Lord Aberdeen respecting Sir William Herries' successor, and that
'all is right.'"