[82] “July 4th, 1850.—At the Postmaster-General’s . . . I spoke of the absolute necessity of a change . . . that my duties were too miscellaneous and too difficult for my present staff to afford me efficient aid, and that notwithstanding I paid £150 a year out of my own pocket [his salary was but £1,200 a year] for assistance out of the office, I had still more to do than my health would bear.”
“July 17th.—Called on Mr. Hodgson to consult him on the state of my health, which makes me very uneasy. Hodgson strongly recommends rest—a week immediately, and two months as early as it can be got. A tendency of blood to the head, occasioned by severe mental exertion and anxiety, is my complaint. I have no hope of getting so much rest, but I must do the best I can.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.
[83] “December 20th.— . . . Cobden advises that to prevent jealousy on Hume’s part he should at once be appealed to; the fact of his, Cobden’s, having been consulted first being concealed.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.
[84] The Postmaster-General expressed great surprise—a surprise that almost amounted to incredulity—on being informed that Mr. Frederic Hill was willing to exchange the office which he already held for the post of Assistant-Secretary. The Inspectorship of Prisons he looked upon as the better appointment, as undoubtedly it was.—Ed.
[85] “March 7th.—I spoke to the Postmaster-General on the subject, telling him ‘it was exceedingly unjust of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to press me in this way, knowing as he does that I dare not attempt the amalgamation until he keeps his promise by giving me Maberly’s place.’ In this the Postmaster-General acquiesced.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.
[86] “June 20th.—Attended my dear father’s funeral.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.
[87] I have thought it advisable to omit the description of some of these proceedings, which, though important in themselves, yet would have but little interest for the general reader.—Ed.
[88] “Hansard,” Vol. CXIV., p. 273.
[89] “June 13th, 1849.—The Postmaster-General has approved a proposal of mine to carry the night-mail between Oxford and the main line of the Great Western Railway by cart instead of by the branch railway. As the journey both ways is in the middle of the night nothing whatever is gained to Oxford by the [present] arrangement.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.
[90] A striking instance of this mal-arrangement was reported to me long afterwards. A very meritorious officer appointed by Colonel Maberly, and said to be the first ever admitted into the permanent staff save through political influence, had, during several years, while rated at a salary never exceeding £120, to superintend men whose salaries ranged up to £400.