The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

APPENDIX A. 441
opinions of parties concerned, or other circumstances, may require.
In fine, the management will constantly demand immediate, con-
fidential, and uninterrupted intercourse with those most conversant
with details, or on whom the duty of immediate execution will
devolve, as well -as the exercise of an influence and authority limited
only by due subordination to your Lordship.
In the absence of these aids, any attempt to effect the improvement
in question would, in my opinion, be most inexpedient.
In the same category with this measure are various others, some
of which are of pressing importance, at a time when there is so
great a demand on the part
of the Government for retrenchment
and economy in every department of the public service ; and,
considering that every delay renders such improvement more and
more difficult, I respectfully submit the importance of my being
early placed in a position for entering upon them with safety and
success.
I trust, my Lord, that in earnestly dwelling
on these con-
siderations as affecting the public interest, I advance no improper
claim as regards myself. Your Lordship will, I am sure, remember
that expectation of such promotion was held out to me, contingent
only on my demonstrating that I possess the requisite administrative
capabilities, and that one object in placing the Money-Order
Department under my immediate direction was to bring these
capabilities to the test. With the result of this experiment your
Lordship has been pleased to express entire satisfaction, and, com-
bining this testimonial with the repeated expressions of approval
with which your Lordship has honoured me during the two years
of my service, I trust I am not assuming too much in regarding the
conditions as fulfilled.
I am the more strongly impelled to ask for the fulfilment of the
contingent expectation, because, in addition to the Treasury's
demand and your Lordship's exercise for economy, there is, from
time to time, a manifestation of some disappointment in the public
mind. It is naturally expected that, under your Lordship's sanction,
I should effect the improvements in reference to which my appointment
was made. And as the public is far from being fully aware
of the difficulties under which I labour, and as I am of course
precluded by my position from giving explanations, I am exposed
to attacks which I must not repel, and suffer in my reputation,
without being conscious of blame.
I have now finished a task which I began with reluctance, and
which I feel much relieved to have drawn to a close. A more