CHAPTER XIII

Model of Mail coach--Patent Coaches--Thomas Hasker--His pithy Instructions--Roof-loading--The King's Interest in his Coach--General Result of Palmer's Plan--Condition of the country Post Offices--Francis Freeling--Enlargement of the General Post Office--Communication with France--Bank Notes cut in half--Letter-carriers put into Uniform--Grant to Post Office Servants--Development of the Penny Post--Edward Johnson--Excessive Absence among the Letter-carriers--By the Penny Post prepayment ceases to be compulsory--The Ten-mile Limit--Origin of the Twopenny Post--Dead Letter Office--American and West Indian Correspondence--Correspondence for the India House--Post with the Channel Islands--Further Restrictions on Franking--Bankers' Franks-- Patterns and Samples--Metropolitan Cart Service--Horse and Cross Posts--Rates of Postage increased--Mysterious doings of the Packets-- Brilliant Engagements--Post Office Usage--Counsels' Fees--New Years' Gifts--Todd's Indifference to Censure--His Death 281