The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

360 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1855-60
was conferred at the time of my formal installation
on one of my former pupils, Major Beecher, for im-
portant services in India.
The close of the period which I have been describ-
ing found the department in a highly satisfactory state.
The various improvements which had been effected
since progress had become unembarrassed were already
producing very manifest results. The public convenience
had been in many ways promoted, and
various arrangements for its further extension were
in steady progress ; the revenue, already large, gave
every promise of continued increase ; the numerous
improvements in relation to the health, comfort, and
remuneration of the staff, and above all the rule of
promotion by absolute merit modified only by
seniority in cases where merit was equal now
recognised as in full force, had gradually diffused
such a spirit throughout the department as seemed
to have secured vigorous and harmonious action.
All, in short, was working smoothly ;
* and I well
remember the satisfaction which Mr. Tilley, the senior
Assistant Secretary, who up to this time had uniformly
given me earnest and efficient support, expressed at
the general state of the service, so different from what
he had once known ; remarking that now every one
seemed to do his duty as a matter of course. I did
not then foresee how serious a change was at hand.
Of this, however, I shall speak but very briefly.
LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY.
In February, 1860, there came upon me that severe
illness of which I have more than once spoken by
anticipation ; an illness which, commencing with
* " Sixth Annual Report," pp. 38 and 39.