Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-03-28

The following account, which we find in the n
York Evening Mirror, of the manner in which the
London Post Office, (the largest in the world) is
conducted. cannot, we think, b, otherwise than in
teresng to our readers. After describing the bull
ding, the article goes on to say
1t is worth while to visit the great hall for half
an hour before the office closes at night. AS the
time approaches, men and boys come hurrying in,
all out of BREATH with the last letters anu papers tor
the mails. At length the great clock begins to
strike, and what a commotlon! Large men run
ming over small ones, and small men who have de-
livered their packages lodging here and there to
get out of the way of larger ones, until. with the
last stroke of the clock all the receiving windows
drop, ard the successful or disappointed are left to
sorrow or rejoice with each other. Another hour
at which it will interest the stranger to visit the
office is on the departure of the mails for all parts
the kingdom which takes place at precisely eight
o'clock every evening.
The different vehicles generally collect in the
enclosed space around the building, quarter of
hour before the time, and the gates are guarded by
, men IN livery. When the clock strikes, the last
bundle is handed up to EACH and off they start one
after another in quick succession, the fresh horses
gaiIy prancing, and the horns merl'y sounding
from the different quarters to which the coaches
er and the unettered man will be alike interested.
The perfection and convenience of the present
post office arrangement in Great Britain, of which
the London post office is the head cannot be fully
g described. letter may be sent from one part OF
the kingdom to any other part for ono penny, or
bout two GEMS This money, instead of being
paid at the office on the despatch or receipt of a
letter. is paid for stamps which sold by station
ers and others, licensed for the purpose, in every
= CITY or village in the country These stamps are
. usually square pieces of paper, covering not more
v space than quarter of dollar and presenting q
v picture of the queens face, with the words Pos
e iage one penny They arc printed on large sheets
~ and sold in quantities to suit purchasers. Those
IT who have occasion to use them often, generally
=. carry them in their pocket books, as they wouIe
% carry post office change. One side OF the sheet
g covered over with an adhesive substance so that
r. is only necessary to cut out stamp, moisten th
back of it, with the finger stick it upon the letter
&c and the postage is paid. 1t may then be droppe'
into any the receiving Offices, which scattered
over all the largo towns, and within hour 1t will
;. be on its journey to the place of destination
When it reaches the Office to which it is directed
a carrier Immediately takes it to the person 70
. whom it was designed, if bis location is indicates
i thus oE,viating all necessity of visiting the OF
fee for ones SELF The facility with which letter
E. find stranger is remarkable. Perhaps the frs
u" intnation such person receives that he Is known
"a NAV be by letter left at his room. A New Y OIL
as ker IN London will often receive letters within
le fourteen days from the time when they were sea
ed by his friends three thousand five hundred mile
~ away!
Of These facilities of conveyance are not confne
70 letters; other matter may be forwarded BY tn
mail, if the right number of stamps be placed W
n, on il. On one occasion, friend. who was speE
i. ding some days in the country, met with Piar
Mt which he wished to transfer to hisown garden.
S. was accordingly inclosed in q wrapper, with th
n. simple direction "Bc voc set tout tonight