I remember that I returned home with the impression that I had been all the time upon my trial (in a most friendly spirit, however), first, before the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and afterwards, though the notion may seem ridiculous, before Lady Canning, my host having very perceptibly led me into conversation with this highly-accomplished lady, and she having, with no little tact and much kindness, drawn me out. I was so far satisfied, however, with the interview that, had I but been in even my former health, the remaining interval of expectation would have seemed short.
“February 25th.—Went to Brighton for a little rest. The harass and hard work, so much increased of late by railway irregularities and by the apparently never-ending delay as to my position in the office, have made me seriously unwell.”
Matters, however, were now steadily advancing towards a conclusion:—
“March 2nd.—Had some further talk with the Postmaster-General on the subject of my position. The recent death of Colonel Hay caused him again to see Lord Hardinge. The next vacancy is to be offered to Sir William Herries.”
It must be admitted that waiting for dead men’s shoes has but little tendency to promote kindly sympathy, and I fear my family, in consulting the military obituary about this time were not so much impressed as could be wished with the loss sustained by the country in the death of its veterans. The desired information, however, did not come in the expected form.
“April 8th.—Somewhat startled with the announcement in the newspapers that Sir William Herries had resigned his appointment as Chairman of the Audit Office. But the Postmaster-General tells me that this is a necessary preliminary to his being nominated to a colonelcy now vacant; that he (the Postmaster-General) has seen Lord Aberdeen respecting Sir William Herries’ successor, and that ‘all is right.’”
A week later I was again taken by surprise, not unmingled with alarm:—
“April 15th.—Yesterday the Daily News announced that Mr. Edward Romilly had been appointed to succeed Sir William Herries. This I concluded was a mistake; but this morning a similar announcement appearing in the Morning Chronicle, I sent a note of inquiry to the Postmaster-General, and received by return of messenger a note as follows:—‘Dear Mr. Hill,—The announcement in the Chronicle is true, but the fact in nowise affects any arrangements respecting yourself. Yours, very faithfully, Canning.’ Later in the day the Postmaster-General came to the office and explained that the Government was unwilling to place a new man at the head of the office; they had, therefore, promoted Mr. Romilly, one of the previous Commissioners, and that Colonel Maberly was to take Mr. R.’s place; that he had consented so to do, and that the whole thing was settled. . . . The Postmaster-General added that the whole scheme was near being knocked on the head a few days ago by the breaking-up of the Ministry on the question of postponing the Reform Bill; for twelve hours they had in effect resigned.”
Notwithstanding the announcement that “the whole thing was settled,” it may well be supposed that, after receiving the last part of Lord Canning’s communication, I retained some little suppressed anxiety until the necessary forms should be completed; for this, however, ten days sufficed.