The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

40 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1846
defeated by a change of dynasty. He added that, on
his (Mr. W.'s) suggestion, Lord Clanricarde would have
an interview with me on the subject. Mr. Warburton
obtained Lord Clanricarde's
me what had passed.
permission to repeat to
Having procured an appointment with Lord Clan-
ricarde, I called upon him two days later ; but of
my conversation with him on this occasion, and at a
second interview, I have no further record than the
" Saw Lord Clanricarde twice during the
following :
negotiation ; much
pleased with his straightforward,
business-like manner." I remember, however, that I
suggested for his lordship's consideration the revival
of the title assigned to Palmer, viz., Surveyor-General
of the Post Office, and that in consequence of his
inquiry as to the circumstances of Palmer's appointment,
I undertook to send him a report on the
subject.
On the following day, I received a letter from his
lordship, in which, after expressing a wish to hear my
more considered opinion of the proposal which he had
intimated to me, he continued as follows :
"
I assure you that I am convinced such an appointment as that I
wish you to hold we will not quarrel about a name for it would
afford the best possible opportunity (under all existing circumstances)
for carrying out steadily, safely, and constantly, every possible improvement
in the Post Office, in conformity with your plan and
general views."
Objection having
arisen to the revival of Palmer's
official title, and my position being, as I well knew,
matter of grave importance to my efficiency in office,
I wrote to Mr. Warburton on the i/th, but was
prevented by his illness at the time from receiving
that immediate assistance which in health he was
always so ready, I might say so eager, to give.