The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

?6 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1847-8
" December 23rd.
The newspapers are reporting the new arrangement,
each after its own fashion. The Times and Chronicle have
useful notices on the subject ; the Morning Post tells the world that
I have been promoted to the superintendence of the Money Order
Office, but carefully quotes the circular to show that my authority is
confined thereto."
Unfortunately, in coming
any department one always
for the first time close to
has to learn abuses :
''January 8th, 1848* It is distressing to find that forgeries and
other frauds connected with money orders are frequent. ... I
have already had to deal with six or eight cases of this kind."
The subjoined is a striking instance of the economy
that may be produced in large operations by even a
small change. I found that although the old money-
order forms were supplied at a very low rate (about
ten for a penny), yet, by reducing the size, I could
save about jQQ per annum ;
and
this notwith-
standing an improvement in the form, which the
Comptroller of the Stationery Office alleged would
involve an additional expense of nearly ^1500 a-year.
To remove this objection, however, I had to resort to
a mechanical device derived from former experience in
constructing my printing machine, t This saving was
soon afterwards followed by a larger one, consequent
on reduction in the size of the " letter of advice " and
the abolition of what were called duplicate advices.
Both these economical measures had the collateral
* Under the same date I find the following entry in Sir R. Hill's Journal :
"I am obliged to consult Dr. Southwood Smith as to the state of my health,
having for the last three weeks suffered from sleepless nights, and almost constant
headache. Dr. Smith enquires whether I had not suffered from anxiety, or
excessive labour, and I explained to him my real position." ED.
t "In perfecting my printing machine we spent about 2000, and hitherto
the saving now effected is the only advantageous result. Without the knowledge
thus obtained I could not have overcome the difficulties as to printing." Sir R.
Hill's Journal.
ED