THE POST OFFICE OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.
plans has spread with a rapidity to be accounted for only by their excellence from land to land, and truly may now be said to have met with acceptance throughout the civilised world.
Under these circumstances, it may justly be averred that my Lords are dealing on the present occasion with the case not merely of a meritorious public servant, but of a benefactor of his race; and that his fitting reward is to be found not in this or that amount of pension, but in the grateful recollection of his country.
But my Lords discharge the portion of duty which belongs to them, with cordial satisfaction, in awarding to Sir Rowland Hill, for life, his full salary of £2,000 per annum.
Let a copy of this Minute be laid before Parliament.
Transmit copy to the Postmaster-General, with a request that it may be communicated to Sir Rowland Hill.
My Lords, — The Postmaster-General, as requested by your Lordships, has done me the favour to furnish me with a copy of your Minute of 11th instant, granting me a special superannuation allowance on retiring from my office as Secretary to the Post Office, and conveying to me the very favourable opinion, which your Lordships are pleased to express, of the manner in which I have discharged my duties.
It cannot be necessary to assure your Lordships of the deep gratification with which I have received so handsome and elaborate a recognition of my services. I have only to beg that you will be pleased to accept my most respectful thanks.
In a document so highly complimentary, I hesitate to notice what would appear to be an admission, inadvertently made, to the effect that the adoption of the uniform penny postage was urged by others before the development of my plans. This, I33
