“Bruce Castle, Tottenham, July, 1856.”
As they trusted each other for aid in case of need, so at all times did they look to each other for counsel. The affairs of all were known to each. At every important turn, each sought the judgment of all. “I have mentioned your advice to the Family Council,” wrote Rowland Hill, in the year 1825, to his eldest brother. “After some discussion, the following agreement was come to.” In describing a decision to which he came twelve years after this date, he writes: “As usual in cases of great difficulty, I consulted my father and my brothers.” Eleven years later he entered in his Journal: “E. H., A. H., F. H., and I, met to consult on the steps to be taken in consequence of the Postmaster-General’s communication, and decided what should be done. These family consultations are a great aid to me.” When he was bringing the great work of his life to a close, he did not, he writes, send in his resignation, as Secretary to the Post-office, till he had first consulted his brothers. The following letter, which he wrote to his eldest brother, shows, not only how strongly he felt the advantages of this family union, but also how ready he always was to own, and own to the full, how much he himself had owed to it:—
“Hampstead, 4th December, 1867.
“My dear Matthew,—Thank you very much for your kind and affectionate letter. Fortunately, the members of our family have always been ready to assist one another—consequently, each has worked with the combined force of all. This was markedly the case as regards Penny Postage, as I have endeavoured to show in the history. But for your great help and that of our brothers, I should have accomplished but little.
“No one, I am sure, has a better right to draw consolation from past services than yourself. Not only have you individually and directly effected a vast amount of good, but you have been the pioneer for us all.
“Very affectionately yours,
“Rowland Hill.”
[A fac-simile of this letter is given over-leaf.]