206 ON THE TRACK OF THE MAIL-COACH 



December 1, 1887, after an illness of some dm'ation. 

 I mention the hour because, ill as he was, he literally 

 died in harness, signing in the afternoon, as his 

 ultimate act of office, what is known as the Yoted 

 Service Account. 



As this large-hearted man did his work to the very 

 end of his life, so was he thoughtful for others to the 

 end, enjoining, feeble as he was, that his chief clerk, 

 who brought him the last official document, should be 

 suitably refreshed before leaving the house. Of his 

 sort are the men who build up the reputation of a 

 department of State, their ability, their vigour and 

 their justice inspiring respect, and their considera- 

 tion for others ensuring the service of heart as well 

 as brain. 



The long train of mourners — men and women from 

 his staff — who followed their postmaster's remains to 

 the last resting-place attested by their emotion the 

 regard in which he was held. 



Such was one of the best officials who ever served 

 the Post-Office, and his merits must be the excuse for 

 dwelling on them at length. 



Between the Willatt family, whose work at the 

 post-office ended in 1793, and Mr. Beaufort, three 

 postmasters intervened — one a bookseller, Harrop ; 

 the next a beneficed clergyman, the Eev. K. H. 

 Whitelock, who was not only Postmaster of Man- 

 chester, but held a cure of souls at Chorlton-cum- 

 Hardy, and another in Lincolnshire ; and, in my time, 

 Eobert Peel Willock, a cousin of the great Minister. 



