Note 115 — Chapter XXIII
Reading edition
Lord Hardwicke would seem to have had a strong dislike to the book-post, to judge from the following entry in Sir R. Hill’s Journal:—
“June 15th, 1853.—Breakfasted with Chevalier Bunsen. He promises to urge on his Government the adoption of the Book-post. He told a characteristic anecdote of Lord Hardwicke. At the time Lord H. was Postmaster-General, Chevalier Bunsen met him at the Queen’s Drawing Room, where, it seems, if people talk at all, it must be in a low tone of voice. Lord Hardwicke asked what Chevalier Bunsen thought of ‘Hill’s Book-post,’ expressing his own dislike of the measure. Chevalier Bunsen defended it, on which Lord H. became excited, and talked so loud that the Queen despatched an attendant to point out to him that, if he wanted to converse, there was an adjoining room convenient for the purpose.”—Ed.