The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-04-04
From the New York Mirror.


is a magnificent building, sltuted IN a
central part of the city. 1t was erect
ed under the direction of Sir Robert
Smirke, was opened for public business
10 829, and presents such proof of
the amazing extent of intercourse be-
tween London and the world at large,
that no stranger ought to laiI of visiting
it. The building occupies an oblong
space, and is divided by Il grand hall.
with which tie m1ny different depart
ments communicate.
The hall is eighty feet in widlh,s sixty
in length, and fifty in height, the arch
over it being supported by six stone
columns. On one side Of it are the
newspaper. inland and ship letter Off
ces; on the otter are various offices ior
transacting the business of the depart
ment. At each side. of the entrance
are boards. containing lists Of persons
for whom letters have been received,
but whose residences are not kno .Vn. A
person seeing his own name or the
name of a friend here, has only to write
the residence on the remainder of the
line, and the letter will be presented
within twenty-four hours. Running
of, from the central hall on one side, IS
a smaller hall, where the bags are re-
ceived from the mails, and conveyed to
the snrters' and carriers offices; rooms
more than hundred feet long. contai-
ming such an immense number of draw
ers, boxes, and pigeon holes, that they
must be seen to be appreciated; on the
other side is staircase leading to the
offices for dead and mssent letters.
Under the great bail is tunnel con
tainIng some curious machinery for
conveying letters from one office to an
other in difierentparts Of the building.
The basement story is appropriated TO
the mali guards rooms and the armory.
The second floor and upper story con
tain sleeping rooms for clerks, &c.
1t is worth while to visit the great hall
for half an hour before the hall closes at
night. AS the time approaches, men
and boys come hurrying in, all out OF
breath, with the last letters and papers
for the. mails. AT length the great
clock begins to strike, and what com
motion! Large men running over
small ones, and small men who have
delivered their packages dodging here
and there to get out of the way Of large
ones, until, with the last stroke of the
clock all the receiving window > drop,
and the successful or disappointed are
left to sorrow or rejoice with each 9th
er. Another hour at which it viii iu-
terest the stranger to visit the office, is
on the departure of the maiIs for all
parts of the kingdom. which takes ,,lace
at precisely eight O'clock every even
ing. ~...s7' "}.'-.
The different vehicles generally col
lect in the enclosed space around the
building, quarter of an hour before
the time. and the gates are guarded BY
men in livery. Wren the clock strikes,
the last bundle is handed up 10 each;
and of they START one after anuth in
quick succession, the fresh horses gaily
prancing, and the horns merrily sound
ing from the different quarters to which
the coaches diverge. aItis scene in
which the phiosopherand the unletter-
ed man will be alike interested. ef4'
The perfection and convenience Of
the sentpostotiice arrangement in
Great Britain, Of which the London
post office is the head. cannot be fully
described. A letter may be sent from
one part oi the kingdom to any other
partition one penny, or about two cents.
i'his money, instead Of being paid at
the office on thedespatch or receipt Of
a letter, Is paid for stamps, which are
sold by stationers and Others, licensed
h12i Eal9 JittH Qf