Secretary, it is proverbial
that no public servant ever gave more general satisfaction by his
indefatigable attention to the interests of the community, or than he
invariably shewed to those of the meanest individual who addressed him;
whether from a peer or peasant, a letter of complaint always received a
prompt reply. The present admirable arrangements and conveniences of
that noble national establishment, the newly-erected Post Office, were
formed upon the experience and the suggestions of Sir Francis and his
eldest son. A more faithful and zealous servant the public never
possessed. The title he enjoyed was the unsolicited reward for his
services, bestowed upon him by his Royal Master George the 4th, from
whom he frequently received other flattering testimonials of regard and
friendship. In Sir Francis Freeling was to be found one of those
instances which so frequently occur in this country of the sure reward
to industry and talent when brought into public notice. In speaking of
his private character, those only can appreciate his worth who saw him
in the bosom of his family--to his fond and affectionate children his
loss will be irreparable. To possess his friendship was to have gained
his heart, for it may be truly said he never forgot the friend who had
won his confidence; particularly if the individual was one who, like
himself, had wanted the fostering hand of a superior. Sir Francis was
always found to be the ready and liberal patron of talent in every
department of literature, science, and the fine arts. Considering the
importance and multiplicity of his public avocations, it was surprising
to all his friends how he could have found leisure to store his mind
with the knowledge he had attained of the works and beauties of all our
most esteemed writers; his library contains one of the rarest and most
curious collections of our early authors, more particularly our poets
and dramatists; in the acquirement of these works he was engaged long
before it became the fashion to purchase a black letter poem, or
romance, merely because it was old or unique. But his highest
excellencies were the virtuous and religious principles which governed
his whole life; his purse was ever open to relieve the distress of an
unfortunate friend, or the wants of the deserving poor. Many were the
alms which he bestowed in secret; which can be testified by the writer
of this paragraph, who knew him well, and enjoyed his friendship."

Miss