New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
THE USSIAN 20 S TO FFICE
ESTABLISH MENT.
From Our Own Correspondent

From Our Own Correspondent
BERLIN Saturday, June %, 1855.
Fixed to the wall Of house on the other side
of Marien.st., where live, is metallic box of a
dark green color about twenty inches long aud
nine or ten wide and high. just as the hour
strikes man in sort Of uniform, blue coat
with q red trimming or two, and blae cap
with red band, comes round the corner from
Louisen. st. with two stout square leather boxes
swung across his shoulder lie goes to the box
Just mentioned, unlocks little door in one end,
draws out smaller box from within, exchanges
it for one in his leathern box, and after exchang-
ing also small brass tablet which fits an OPEN
ing in trent of the metallic box, makes all fast
again and goes away. The tablet which he has
just placed before the opening is engraved
"12 NJ" and the one withdrawn all V. 81"
He was to change the boxes at eleven Vormit
tag" Oorenoon) and will change them again at
Mittag" or noon. This man is one of the city
postmen, aad the box is public letterbox. If
you examine it you will a slit in each end large
enough for letters, though thick newspaper can
not be forced through. have taken some pains
to make my self acquainted with the system il
is now in operation here, and most devOutly wish
il could be adopted in our American cities, for |
see not in what respect il could be improved.
The main Post Office, not only for Berlin but for
the entire Kingdom of Prussia, is very large stuc-
coed building with nothing particular to to dis
tnguish it from others in the vicinity, save it's ex
tent and Matchbox or two where soldier in
the blue Prussan uniform stands sentinel This
edifce is built around two good-sized courts in
which one sees still little of the hustle and ap-
parent confusion which used TO be so striking be-
fore the days of railroads, when travellers went
universally by post. Queerly dressed postillions
there are still, and the horns still announce the
arrival or departure of some wellflled coach on
its way to some quarter not yet visited by steam.
But the glory of posting" has departed =" lcha
bod" is written on the wallsOi the passengers
room" There is, however business enough
still to employ the horses and coaches and wagons
of all sorts which you can see in such multitude
in the PostOfice stables in another part of the
city -Four years ago was obliged to go with my
American letters to the " Haupt-Post" and it was
really pleasant thing to 60 down and be look
er. on for half an hour-wheels within wheels
inextrcable confusion and yet all everything GO
ing on like clockwork. Since thar time the Gen
eral Office has twice been relieved, and the neces
sity of its enlargement obyiaCed first, by the es-
Enlistment of secondary Offices at four of the
principal railroad stations ; and secondly, by the
establishment of eight city Offices. The Post-Of
fee here takes charge not only of letters and pa
pers, but of packages of all sorts, money, and in
fact of every thing any would think of sending
otherw,e than as freight. At the General and Sta
ton Offices all is received at the city Offices only
letters, papers and money-letters not exceeding
fifty tbalers in value. If | want to send money
to Leipsic or Bonn iuclose it in an envelope on
which have placed fire seals and receive from
the Post Sekretair" a receipt acknowledging the
delivery Of this letter and the amount OF money
which have stated in writing on the outside of
the letter to be within. Thus / may wish TO send
some money to Pars. / direct:
Containing hundred Thalers. +:
RICHARD.
Rue 90 and so, :
Paris