“We may add that in such a union, beyond the mere material benefit, there naturally arises a moral influence of considerable power; and of this we have experienced the advantage; our connection having been sufficiently close to give to each of us, in a great measure, the benefit of the experience, knowledge, and judgment, of all the others, and to secure to each that friendly advice of which every one, some time or other, stands in need. “We attribute such success as has attended our family, and such respect as it has obtained, very much to the spirit of co-operation which was recommended to us by our parents during their lives and on their death-beds; and which we, in turn, living and dying, would recommend to our successors as amongst the best means of enabling them to do good to themselves individually and collectively, and no less to their fellow-creatures at large. “EDWIN HILL, “ROWLAND HILL, “ARTHUR HILL, “FREDERIC HILL. “Bruce Castle, Tottenham, _July, 1856_.” As they trusted each other for aid in case of need, so at all times did they look to each other for counsel. The affairs of all were known to each. At every important turn, each sought the judgment of all. “I have mentioned your advice to the Family Council,” wrote Rowland Hill, in the year 1825, to his eldest brother. “After some discussion, the following agreement was come to.” In describing a decision to which he came twelve years after this date, he writes: “As usual in cases of great difficulty, I consulted my father and my brothers.” Eleven years later he entered in his Journal: “E. H., A. H., F. H., and I, met to consult on the steps to be taken in consequence of the Postmaster-General’s communication, and decided what should be done. These family consultations are a great aid to me.” When he was bringing the great work of his life to a close, he did not, he writes, send in his resignation, as Secretary to the Post-office, till he had first consulted his brothers. The following letter, which he wrote to his eldest brother, shows, not only how strongly he felt the advantages of this family union, but also how ready he always was to own, and own to the full, how much he himself had owed to it:— “Hampstead, 4th December, 1867. “MY DEAR MATTHEW,—Thank you very much for your kind and affectionate letter. Fortunately, the members of our family have always been ready to assist one another—consequently, each has worked with the combined force of all. This was markedly the case as regards Penny Postage, as I have endeavoured to show in the history. But for your great help and that of our brothers, I should have accomplished but little.