Note 82 — Chapter XIX
Reading edition
“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.