Part 11

* * * * *

"The proposed plan of a new Penny Post is no longer talked of:--It is every day more, and more, wanted, as the present mode is extremely irregular, and insufficient. According to the new plan, the Penny Post was to have gone out seven times a day."--(_Times, May 4, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The PENNY POST.

"The late regulations in the Penny Post Office are certainly of the most essential service to the public: but the conduct of the Letter Carriers requires the most minute attention. They wall defraud where they think they can do it with impunity; and as an instance of this, we give the following fact. From any part of the Metropolis, to the Borough of Southwark, and its adjacent parts, is stated to be but _One penny_ per Letter. The Carriers, however, uniformly charged 2d. per Letter. A Complaint of this imposition was made to the Comptroller, by a Gentleman, whose house is in the Blackfriars Road, and an immediate answer was given 'that the Carrier had been severely reprimanded,' and the surcharge had been returned. His removal from that walk, gave his successor, who, perhaps, did not hear of this reprimand, an opportunity to continue the same imposition, and the letters to Blackfriars Road, and in other parts of St. George's Fields, were again charged 2d. The Comptroller was again applied to, and on the next evening, he wrote a letter to the person who sends this for publication, 'that the Carrier was ordered to return the surcharge.' The publication of this circumstance is requisite, as no doubt, similar extortions are practised in other parts of the suburbs. This is a matter that ought to be universally made known, as cent. per cent., even on a _penny_, is rather too much for a man, illegally, to pay."--(_Times, Oct. 27, 1794._)

"Franking," as the privilege of free postage was called, had already assumed dimensions, so as to have become a scandal, which is well exposed in the following notices:--

"Motion respecting Clerks in Office.

"Mr. _Dent_ said ... Public notoriety went to accuse the offices of great abuse of the privilege of franking ... that such abuses did exist, and to give the proofs of them was the object which he proposed to gain by his present motion. He would state to the House some of the abuses. Certain bags came to the Post Office, marked Ordnance, Navy, Treasury Bags, &c., and the letters contained in these bags were furthered without more enquiry. These bags, perhaps, contained a great quantity of letters from the various Clerks: he could produce an instance of a very inferior Clerk, who had franked to a great amount, by placing his initials on the superscription. He had looked attentively over the list of those who had the privilege, and he did not find his name among them.... Among other instances, he would mention a Mr. Lackington, a celebrated bookseller; he had friends in some one of the Offices, and the whole of his Catalogues were franked to different parts of the country. It was also notorious, that some persons had written to their country correspondents, that if they would deal with them, the whole mass of pamphlets published in London should be sent them free of postage: this was done by means of the Clerks in office. In short, there were persons whose salaries amounted to only £300, or £400 per annum, who from their situation, made £1000 or £1200. It surely could not be the intention of the House to permit such malversation, and, therefore, he should move for a Committee to enquire into these facts. Before the late regulation, venison has passed as nimbly, by the post, as it run when alive in its native park. After further conversation, the House divided.--For the Question, 53; Against it, 41.--Majority, 12."

"It would have been extraordinary indeed, if Sir Benjamin Hammett had not opposed the Franking Bill: for we are informed from very good authority, that Letters franked by, and addressed to, him only, are to the amount of £2400 sterling _per annum_."--(_Times, March 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Debate on Franking.

"Mr. _Hobart_ brought up the Report of the Committee upon the Bill to restrain the abuse of Franking.

"Mr. _Dent_ said, he was sorry to add, that this privilege had been notoriously abused, and was so publicly known, that paragraphs had appeared in a newspaper, of a Member having received £300 annually, from a mercantile house, to give them the advantage of this privilege. He hoped this fact was false, but he feared, however, it would be found too well warranted. By this Bill, Members were to receive only fifteen letters, and send ten, therefore the abuse, to this extent, could not be continued. At the same time, he thought, and should, bye-and-bye, more particularly state, in the motion he should submit to the House, that, when they were curtailing their own privileges, the Clerks in office should not be permitted to continue their abuses.

"Mr. _Courtenay_ said, by the official returns it appeared that £30,000 was franked by the various offices, which amounted to one third of the whole of what was franked by Members of Parliament. Now the privilege was restrained in Members of Parliament, it would become more valuable to the Clerks in Office, and he should not wonder, if some of them should become not sleeping, but _writing_, partners in mercantile houses....

"Mr. _Dent_ observed, abuses in the offices did exist to a very great degree. The Commissioners of the Customs received large Packets which contained letters to all their acquaintances in Town: the abuse did not end here: 20 Custom-House Porters were immediately dispatched to 20 different parts of the town.

"Mr. _W. Smith_ said, ... Public notoriety was sufficient grounds to proceed against the Offices. Though all those letters were superscribed for His Majesty's service, yet they went upon many other purposes. A friend of his had informed him of some Vine cuttings, which had been sent to Ireland, franked: he also knew of a silk gown franked into the country: this was hardly for His Majesty's service.

"Mr. _Rose_ said, if those abuses, mentioned by the Hon. Gentleman, had been privately intimated, they would have had immediate attention and some remedy applied. The laws to prevent the abuse of franking had been transmitted to the several Offices, and by them the first offence was a penalty, and the second, a dismissal from Office.

"The Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Friday."--(_Times, April 14, 1795._)

The following are to be the new rates of Postage in this country:--

"For every single Letter by post, for any distance not exceeding 15 miles, be charged 3d. Double letters 6d. Triple 9d. Those of 1 ounce weight, 1s., and so, in proportion.

"Above 15 miles, and not exceeding 30, for single Letters 4d., and so, in the same proportion.

"Above 30 miles, and not exceeding 60, 5d., and so, in proportion.

"Above 60 miles and not exceeding 100, 6d., and so, in proportion.

"Above 100 miles, and not exceeding 150, 7d., and so, in proportion.

"All above 150 miles, 8d., &c.

"Upon every single Letter to Scotland, 1d., the rates of Postage remaining the same, on double letters, 2d., &c.

"That the present rates of Postage between London, and Portugal, and between London, and British America, do cease.

"From any part of Great Britain, to Portugal, exclusive of Inland Postage, every single letter, 1s., &c.

"The same from any part of Great Britain, to British America.

"The Inland Postage upon said Letters according to distance."--(_Times, Dec. 12, 1796._)

The following paragraph is interesting, as it fixes the date of the Postal Uniforms--the colours of which are still adhered to by the Postal authorities, in clothing the Mail drivers:--

"The Post Office Letter Carriers in London are to be provided with an uniform of red coats, faced with blue, and to wear numbers."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1793._)

* * * * *

"There is at this time a third of the Mail Guards ill, either from the intenseness of the severe weather or from colds they have caught in the floods: their exertions were in general very great, and meritorious, in saving the Mails."--(_Times, Feb. 19, 1795._)

We are here presented with the infancy of Telegraphing--which was then a marvel of the age--but which we, from our standpoint of Electricity, must fain smile at. They were mechanical contrivances placed on hills, or other eminences.

"The Telegraph.--This mode of communication is little understood here, although the invention be not a new one. The process is getting possession of _heights_ at convenient distances, and by fire-works, in different forms, for different letters, _spelling_ the order, or intelligence, from station, to station!"--(_Times, Sept. 11, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The new mode of correspondence, by the help of which, the surrender of _Quesnoy_ was known at Paris an hour after the entry of the French troops into that place, is a communication by signals, which are repeated from distance, to distance, by machines, stationed four, or five, leagues asunder. This may explain the celerity with which communications are made.

"The _telegraph_, now brought into use by the French, appears to have been an invention of Dr. Hooper's, and published in his Rational Recreations, in 1774. The plan of which may be seen in his 'Visual Correspondence.'"--(_Times, Sept. 15, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The invention of the Telegraphe, does not belong alone to the French. About ten years ago, Count Possini at Rome, invented a mode of getting intelligence from Naples, in the course of an hour. The Lottery at Rome, depends upon that drawn at Naples. It differs from our Lottery, materially, for there are but six prizes, and these are the first six numbers drawn, and the remainder are all blanks. The Count, whose house is on an eminence near Rome, managed with his confederates, who were placed at certain distances, between Naples, and his estate, to have sky rockets let off, by which they had previously fixed with each other, to ascertain by such signals, any particular number, or numbers, drawn. The plan succeeded, as Tickets continued to be sold in Rome, for several hours after the drawing commenced at Naples, the account of which was always brought by the ordinary courier. By this scheme the party got about 100,000 crowns, and the plot would never have been discovered, had not the Count purchased the whole of the six prizes, which caused suspicion, and of course, excited enquiry."--(_Times, Sept. 16, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Astley, who is always employed in the production of something new, brings out, this evening, an exhibition of the much talked of, and ingenious Machine, called the Telegraphe, at the _Lyceum_, in the Strand."--(_Times, Sept. 19, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The invention of the Telegraphe, is now traced back to 1655, and particularly mentioned in a little book, then written, and published, by the Marquis of Worcester, inventor of the Steam Engine. He there gives it the name of _Visual Correspondence_, and calls it his own invention."--(_Times, Sept. 20, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Experiments are now making at Woolwich with a new species of the Telegraphe, to ascertain at what distance intelligence can be conveyed by it during the night. It is composed of letters, or figures, nine feet high, cut out in a board, which is painted black in front, and strongly illuminated behind by patent lamps with reflectors; it is placed on the top of the butt against which the cannon are proved, and proper persons are stationed at Purfleet, and other intermediate places, with telescopes, to determine at what distance letters of that size are legible at night, by which means any word may be written, by a succession of letters, and intelligence may be conveyed, with astonishing celerity, during the night, by having a series of different signal-houses at proper distances between whatever places information is intended to be communicated."--(_Times, Oct. 7, 1794._)

* * * * *

"It has been said, that a conversation had actually taken place across the Channel, between Donaghadee and Port Patrick, by means of a Telegraph. The following are the particulars: Two Gentlemen of the county of Longford have been, for sometime past, making experiments, in different positions, in that county, and they succeeded so well, as to induce them to undertake the journey to Donaghadee, where the Channel between Britain and Ireland is the narrowest, being about 18 Irish miles across. They brought down their machinery with them, and, having erected one on each side, they conversed with each other, on Monday evening last, the weather being tolerably clear. The conversation that passed was as follows--The Gentleman on this side said 'I see you, being white, distinctly.' The other replied 'I see you; I wish your's was white also.' (The machine on this side being black.) The Gentleman on this side then asked 'What o'clock is it?' and was answered 'Six.' He then said 'I will shew lights at nine o'clock, do you attend.' He was answered 'I will attend, but I have only one light.' They then made signals of 'good night,' and the communication ended. The machine consists of a triangle, with two long sides and a short one, suspended in the air vertically; it turns on a pivot, and is capable of being put into eight different positions, very distinct from each other. These positions represent eight of the common numerical figures, and these figures, according to their position, denote certain words and sentences, according to a preconcerted dictionary, or vocabulary, alphabetically, as well as numerically, arranged. It is believed this machine is on a principle totally different from the French."--(_Times, Sept, 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A chain of Telegraphs is erected from Shuter's Hill to Dover. _Gad's Hill_, and _Barham Hill_, are the intermediate posts."--(_Times, Dec. 30, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Telegraphe.--An improvement on this post-haste mode of travelling, has been offered to the Administration, by two foreigners, who demand £40,000 for the discovery, if it should be found to answer; if it does not, like quacks of another description, they retire with nothing but the shame of the attempt. These foreigners undertake to convey intelligence to all parts of the world, by letter as quick as thought. Certain globes are to be constructed, that, by the power of electricity and attraction, a packet, large as a horse can carry, shall be sent to and from Dublin, in about the time requisite for dispatching a breakfast!! _Credat Judeus!_"--(_Times, Jan. 12, 1796._)

In or about 1796, was instituted the semaphore telegraph--which, until the introduction of the Electric Telegraph, was the best system out.

"The most important services which can be rendered to the public by the Telegraph, is in cases similar to that which occurred last week, in forwarding the news from Deal to London, of the sailing of the Dutch Fleet, within the space of five minutes. This prompt conveyance of the intelligence enabled the Admiralty Board to take such speedy measures for sending a fleet out after the enemy. When the Telegraph is established between London and other ports as well as Deal, the advantage will be very great indeed."--(_Times, Mar. 2, 1796._)

* * * * *

"The English are remarkable for improving upon the inventions of their Gallic neighbours. It is well known, that while these aerial wanderers were tumbling down like so many Phaetons from Heaven, we were driving about securely in balloon-coaches, and eating balloon-cakes, and balloon-oysters. The same advantage has resulted from the telegraph, which, beside christening a coach, and a newspaper, is now transferred to the heads of our ladies, and has given us telegraphic hats and telegraphic caps. By this invention a female will travel to Edinburgh, through the observatory at York, Doncaster, Grantham and Huntingdon, from the principal machine in Bond Street, in the time of three Operas, or twenty-four Routs."--(_Times, Oct. 15, 1796._)

* * * * *

"Since the invention of the _Coiffure télégraphique_ it is scarcely possible to follow the rapidity of the fashions. The morning dress and the evening dress mean literally the dress of the day they are worn in. It was observed, with concern, at Drury Lane the other evening, that the Lady P's were more than _half an hour_ out of fashion."--(_Times, Oct. 21, 1796._)

Among the various tyrannies of fashion, none, perhaps was more curious than that of powdering the hair. Taxation, and the French _mode_ of "Cropping" killed it, but it died hard.--The Tax was treated both jocularly, and _au grand serieux_.

EPIGRAM.

"On the Hair Powder Licence Tax, at a time when general Expectation looked for a tax on Dogs:--

"Full many a chance, or dire mishap, Oft'times between the lip, and cup, is; The Tax, that should have _hung_ our Dogs, Excuses them, and falls on Puppies."

--(_Times, Mar. 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A tax on Dogs would certainly have been unobjectionable, as well as expedient, in a two-fold degree; first in creating a revenue, and secondly, in lessening the number of them. At the present period particularly, a tax on Dogs would have a good effect, as it is a well known fact, that the coarser parts of meat are scarcely to be had by the poor, because the rich can afford to buy them for their dogs."--(_Times, Apr. 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Tax on Powdered Heads is calculated to produce £450,000 per annum, though the Minister has only calculated it at £200,000. Some Gentlemen are said to have made an offer to farm it at £400,000."--(_Times, Mar. 25, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Hair Powder Tax."

"An Annual Certificate to be taken out by every person wearing hair-powder, price one-guinea: every sort, or composition, of powder worn as an article of dress, to be deemed within the meaning of the Act. The Royal Family, and their immediate Servants; Clergymen, whose annual income is under £100; Subaltern, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates of the Army, Militia, Marines, and Fencible Corps; Officers of the Navy, under the rank of Commander; Officers, and Privates, in Corps of Yeomanry, or Volunteers; Dissenting Preachers in holy orders, or pretended holy orders, whose annual income is under £100, are exempted. Persons having more than two daughters unmarried, to pay only for two.

"Persons wearing Powder without a Certificate, to forfeit £20. Persons selling, transferring, or using, a Certificate, with intent to defraud the revenue, to forfeit £30."--(_Times, May 7, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Powder Tax has already produced three hundred thousand pounds to Government. The term is to be extended by Act of Parliament, and, according to the most probable conjectures, the final amount will be double that sum.

"The Duke of Devonshire has paid five and thirty guineas for his family. The Duchess of Northumberland, a single guinea for herself: powder is under interdiction among the rest of that family: though not from motives of disaffection. Her Grace assigns a more justifiable motive; namely, a scruple of contributing, in any unnecessary way, to the present scarcity."--(_Times, June 12, 1795._)

* * * * *

"_Hair Powder Tax._ The Caricaturists, who generally paint so plain, that those who run may read, have whimsically described the two orders of beings, who do, and do not, pay. The first are aptly enough termed _Guinea_ Pigs--the latter, Pigs without a _Guinea_!"--(_Times, July 1, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Commander in Chief of Brighton Camp has notified to the Officers, that the use of Flour, for the privates, will be dispensed with, during the present scarcity of Wheat."--(_Times, July 15, 1795._)

* * * * *

"HAIR POWDER. To all those whom it may concern.

"Among the many ingenious, and humane, projects that have been devised for lessening the consumption of Flour, and soothing the minds of the poor, at this interesting period, it is a matter of no small astonishment to me, that that of sacrificing our hair-powder, has not been more universally adopted. To the antiquated virgin, indeed, who still sighs, and hopes, and whose silvery locks might prove too sure an index of that worldly experience, which, for certain prudential reasons, she might wish to conceal, I confess the sacrifice is too great to be expected. To the unhappy _hen-peck'd bald-pate_, whose lively wife nauseates, and detests, the careless _brown-bob_, something may be said in his behalf, also: but, to every other character, whether the grave judge, or respectable grandmother, the buxom widow, or the broad shouldered Irish fortune-hunter, the flirting coquette, or her coxcomb colleague, the hardy veteran, or flashy militia captain, the pert lawyer, or the young priggish parson: and lastly, the smart apprentice, who _beflours_ his head to cut a dash at the Dog and Duck, or Bagnigge Wells: all these, I say, and every other character that I have omitted to name, can surely have no possible excuse for thus insulting the feelings of the poor. I repeat the word _insulting_, for it is the just and proper epithet; for what can we term it but insult, to be thus playing with the feelings of these poor wretches, at a moment when they are suffering the greatest of all worldly miseries--_want_."--(_Times, Aug. 10, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A morning Paper of yesterday, mentions by name, that a Nobleman of the highest rank, in this country, was, last week, summoned to the Police-Office, Queen's Square, for wearing powder without being licensed. The defence set up that his Grace, being a _Menial Servant_, in the King's Household, was exempt from the Tax: which, being admitted, the matter was dismissed.--We trust that this information is not authentic, for it would be a most pitiful subterfuge to evade the payment of a tax, which is generally allowed to be a proper one." (_Times, Feb. 1, 1797._)--(_Query, the Duke of Portland._)