Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/55

Rh customs and habits were arrayed against it, they yielded to its own inherent truth, right, and reason. In fact, no other reform so radical and sweeping was ever carried through all the stages of its progress to its full consummation in such a brief space of time. But although his system was adopted by Parliament, and himself appointed to supervise and direct its operation, and although virtually the whole nation favoured his plans, he had to encounter in red-tape officials that heavy, deadening, back-water resistance which clogs the strongest wheels of motion. He retired wearied but not defeated in 1843; but the great masses of the people did not allow him to retire from their grateful memory, and in 1846 he received a testimonial of their appreciation in the sum of £1300, collected from the millions virtually in his own coin, The Powerful Penny. No example in history can be found more conclusive and striking than this to illustrate and prove the policy of cheapening an article in order to extend its use. In 1837 the number of letters that passed through the Post Office was 75,000,000; in 1842 it was 360,000,000, from which time it has steadily increased by nearly the same ratio of progression. Mr. Hill was reinstated as Secretary of the Post Office in 1847, and for fifteen years laboured to perfect and extend the system he had originated, not only between England and all her colonies but