The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1864] RESULTS OF POSTAL REFORM. 383
while the net revenue would sustain a loss of about ^300,000. The
preceding statement shows that the letters have increased, not five-
that the gross revenue, instead
fold, but nearly eight and a-half fold ;
of remaining the same, has increased by about ;i, 500,000 ;
while
the net revenue, instead of falling ^300,000, has risen more than
;i 00,000. (See Note C).
"While the revenue of the Post Office has thus more than
recovered its former amount, the indirect benefit to the general
revenue of the country arising from the greatly increased facilities
afforded to commercial transactions, though incapable of exact
estimate, must be very large. Perhaps it is not too much to assume
that, all things considered, the vast benefit of cheap, rapid, and extended
postal communication has been obtained, even as regards the
past, without fiscal loss. For the future there must be a large and
ever-increasing gain.
" The indirect benefit referred to above is partly manifested in the
development of the money-order system ; under which, since the year
1839, the annual amount transmitted has risen from ^313,000 to
^16,494,000; that is, fifty-two-fold (See Note D).
" An important collateral benefit of the new system is to be found
in the cessation of that contraband conveyance which once prevailed
so far that habitual breach of the postal law had become a thing of
course.
" It may be added that the organization thus so greatly improved
and extended for postal purposes, stands available for other objects ;
and passing over minor matters, has already been applied with great
advantage to the new system of Savings Banks.
" Lastly, the improvements briefly referred to above, with all their
commercial, educational, and social benefits, have now been adopted,
in greater or less degree and that through the mere force of
example by the whole civilized world.
" I cannot conclude this summary without gratefully acknowledging
the cordial co-operation and zealous aid afforded me in the discharge
of my arduous duties. I must especially refer to many among the -
(c) In 1868 the letters had increased more than ten and a-half fold. In
1867 the gross revenue had increased by 2,202,000, and the net revenue by
,467,000.
(D) In 1868 the amount transmitted had risen to ^19,079,000, or more than
sixty fold (" Fifteenth Report of the Postmaster-General," p. 4.) [In 1878-79 it
had risen to 27, 303,000. In the preceding year, however, it had been as high
as ^29,153,000. See Vol. II. p. 286. ED.]