We have done. From 1836 downwards the story of the Post Office is told, far better than we could tell it, in the Autobiography of Sir Rowland Hill and the reports which, since 1854, the department has issued annually. The story of the preceding period is less well known, if indeed it be known at all. To tell the earlier story—to trace the Post Office from its humble beginnings down to the time when the illustrious reformer took it in hand—this has been the extent of our object, and no one perhaps is more conscious than ourselves how imperfectly it has been accomplished.
APPENDIX
SUCCESSION OF POSTMASTERS-GENERAL
from 1660 to 1836
From 1660 to 1667 the Post Office was in farm, the farmers being—
1660 to 1663.
Henry Bishopp. Rent, £21,500.
Bishopp surrendered his patent, which was for seven years, in 1663.
1663 to 1667.
(Being residue of Bishopp's term.)
Daniel O'Neile. Rent, £21,500.
1667 to 1685.
Henry, Earl of Arlington.
Rent for later part of the term, £43,000.
Office managed, at first, by Sir John Bennet, Lord Arlington's
brother, and afterwards by Colonel Roger Whitley.