The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

332 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1855-9
originator of the plan. I wrote on August 2nd to
express my concurrence in Mr. Sikes's views, and my
readiness to do what I could towards giving them
effect. My letter was as follows :
"August 2nd, 1859.
" MY DEAR SIR, Pray excuse the unavoidable delay in replying to
your letter of the 3oth ult.
" With modifications which could readily be introduced, Mr. Sikes's
plan is, in my opinion, practicable so
cerned.
far as the Post Office is con-
" The plan also appears to me to be practicable in its other parts ,
but on these I would suggest the expediency of taking the opinion of
some one thoroughly conversant with ordinary banking business, and
who is acquainted also with Savings Banks.
" I need not add that, if carried into effect, the plan would in my
opinion, prove highly useful to the public, and, in some degree,
advantageous to the revenue.
"
I shall be most happy, when the time arrives for so doing, to
submit it for the approval of the Postmaster-General
" E. BAINES, Esq., M.P., Reform Club."
Mr. Sikes, I must not omit to say,
" Faithfully yours,
"ROWLAND HILL.
never received
nor ever sought any advantage, pecuniary or otherwise,
in recompense for his admirable suggestion, contenting
himself with the deep gratification of having done what
lay in his power to confer an inestimable benefit on the
humbler classes of his countrymen.
Mr. Gladstone, then Chancellor of the Exchequer,
at once took up the scheme warmly,* and subsequently
* Mr. Gladstone wrote to Mr. Sikes the following letter :
" DEAR SIR,
"14, Downing Street, Whitehall, 3Oth No"ember, 1859.
I have read with much interest your tract on Post Office Savings'
Banks, and have discussed the subject with Sir A. Spearman, who has also had
some communication with the Post Office authorities.
"The difficulties are very serious, chiefly in connection with the question of
interest and the mode of account for it.