The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1855-60] LORD COLCHESTER. LORD ELGIN. 357
one was kinder in manner, or showed more consideration
for the feelings of others. Lastly, he had a
positive detestation for every kind of job, and never
hesitated to resist pressure on this subject from
whatever quarter.
LORD ELGIN.
Of the high administrative powers of Lord Elgin,
who entered office in June, 1859, it would be quite
superfluous to speak ; suffice it to say that I found
him equally diligent, candid, and trustful with his predecessor,
and remarkably calm and dispassionate in
his judgments. On entering upon his office, he said
he wished to explain what he thought should be the
relation between himself and me. In details he did
not intend to interfere at all, thinking that the head
of a department might better employ his time than
in dealing with these ; but, before determining to go
further, he had thought it his duty to make careful
inquiry as to whether I were a man on whose advice
full reliance could be placed, and being satisfied on
that point, he intended to throw the responsibility
upon me at least until he should have performed
the long, difficult, and perhaps impossible task of
making himself acquainted
with the immense details
of the department by acting on my recommendation
on all points, save perhaps in some exceptional case,
where he should see strong reason to the contrary.
Happily, to the best of my recollection, no such
exception ever occurred. I have only
to add that
his kindness of manner accorded with the fulness of
his confidence.
With 1859 closed the twentieth year since my
entrance into the service of the Government in