| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8
2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11
3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15
10 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 32 | 38 | 44
100 | 14 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 58 | 70 | 79 | 90 | 110 | 124
-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----

The weight was calculated for each pound up to 10 pounds, then for
15 pounds and 20. For parcels weighing more than 20 pounds the rate
increased for each 10 pounds.

4. Valuable goods, e.g. gold, silver, cloth of gold, brocade, were
charged double the rate for commercial goods.

In 1741 a parcel rate was established in Brunswick and L[:u]neburg, based
simply on weight and distance, without reference to the nature of the
contents.[439]

The Prussian rates of 1712 continued in force until 1762, when a general
revision of postal rates was necessitated by the financial difficulties
resulting from the outbreak of the Seven Years' War. The rates for
ordinary commercial transport in Prussia rose to such a degree that the
post, still working on rates fixed in 1712, became the cheapest means of
transport.

Consequently the parcel post traffic increased, but it was found that
the expenses of the service were not covered by the revenue derived from
the parcels. The rates were accordingly increased on the simple plan of
raising them all by 100 per cent. (except in Ostfriesland, where the
increase was 50 per cent.). A further revision of the rates was made in
1766. Apart from the fact that the rates were further increased, this
revision was in many respects beneficial, since it introduced a uniform
and definite rate for the whole country.[440] In 1770 the rates of 1712
were restored.

Up to this time the rates had been based partly on the actual length of
the post routes, partly on the time occupied by the post-messengers in
traversing the routes. They therefore varied according as the roads were
good or bad.[441] In 1801 a mathematical measurement of the roads of
Prussia was made, and thereafter the time factor was eliminated and the
rates based on distance only. The distance was measured, not in a direct
line, but by way of the post routes.

The events of the Napoleonic period resulted in a great increase of
prices in Prussia, and in order to meet the additional expense of
conducting the posts, the rates were increased by