The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

X855-9] SIR WILLIAM HAYTER. 299
adjudged to be best carried the day. How strict our
practice was may be shown by the following incident.
To keep our course free from disturbing influence, it
had been laid down that any intercession from without
in favour of individual officers should act, if not injuriously,
at least not beneficially, on the advancement
of those concerned ; and, as the rule had been sanc-
tioned by the Treasury, it certainly was not from that
quarter that I should have expected
its breach. It is
much easier, however, to authorize the establishment
of a rule than to bend old habits in conformity with its
tenour, or even to remember its very existence; and,
not a little to my amusement, I received an interceding
letter from the very Secretary of the Treasury, my
friend Mr. (now Sir William) Hayter. The following
was my reply :
" 27th December, 1855.
"Mv DEAR HAYTER, We really do mean to carry out the
Treasury regulations as to promotion honestly and with an utter
disregard of all conflicting interests, however potent.
" With this view the inclosed circular has been issued, and every
violation of the rule laid down, even though it extend no further
than the suggestion of an application such as that which you have
forwarded, is punished by reprimand and probable degradation.
"Fortunately young 's conduct is so good, especially as
regards the observance of the rules of the office, that I feel justified
in assuming that he is not to blame in the present instance,
but I cannot communicate the application to the Duke, neither
can I allow it to influence any advice I may have to give him.
4
1 am sure you will concur in these views.
"
I am, &c.,
"ROWLAND HILL.
" The Right Hon. W. G. HAYTER, M.P."
By the transfer to the Post Office of appointment to
all the higher postmasterships, opportunity for promotion
was greatly enlarged, and posts formerly bestowed
for political services, now became the rewards of approved