The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

428 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL.
Fresh honours were done to him in his own country.
Birmingham, the town in which he had spent his
youth and early manhood, had already set up his
statue. A short time before he died he heard that
Kidderminster, his birth-place, was going to pay him
a like honour. And now, at the very close of his
life, the City of London granted him its Freedom.
He was far too weak to attend at the Guildhall,
in accordance with ancient custom, to receive this
high distinction. The Court of Common Council,
with a kindness that gave a double grace to the
honour that they rendered, appointed a deputation
to wait on him at his residence.* He received it in
his bed-chamber. It was the 6th day of June, 1879,
"
less than three months before his death. I offer
you," said the City Chamberlain at the conclusion of
an eloquent address, " the right hand of fellowship in
the name of the Corporation whom we represent, and
who deeply regret that they cannot receive you in
person,
as is their wont on such occasions as the
present. We congratulate you that, notwithstanding
labour
'
and sorrow inevitable to the weight of
the '
eighty-three years, you have been spared to witness
the complete triumph of your postal principles, to
receive acknowledgments from the State, and honours
from your Sovereign. Detractors and obstructors you
have outlived, or they only survive to swell the ranks
of those who applaud. May your remaining days be
consoled by the thought that your name and services
can never be forgotten, and may the sunset of your
life be brightened by the reflection that you have been
* The deputation consisted of Mr. Washington Lyon, mover of the resolution ;
Sir John Bennett, the seconder ; Mr. Peter McKinlay, the Chairman of General
Purposes Committee; Mr. Scott, F.R.A.S., the Chamberlain; and Mr. Monckton,
F.S.A. (now Sir John Monckton), the Town Clerk.