trouble one of the present
Postmaster-General's predecessors remarks, with some pathos, "ought
scarcely to be given to make up for what generally arises from the
carelessness of the writers, without an additional charge." Last year,
through some fault in the addresses, no fewer than 12,822,067 letters,
postcards, newspapers, and parcels were received in the returned letter
offices.

As an example of an insufficiently-addressed letter, we may mention one
the subject of a complaint made by a Mrs. Jones of Newmarket. She stated
that a letter had been posted to her, but had not reached her. It
appeared, however, on inquiry, that there were twenty-nine Mrs. Joneses
at the place, and that there was nothing in the address to help the
postman to decide between their several claims.

When money or anything of value is sent through the post, the letter in
which it goes should be registered. By this means we can be almost
absolutely sure of its travelling safely. The fee for a registered
letter was at one time half-a-crown, and not so long ago was a shilling.
In 1878 it was reduced from 4d. to 2d. Not only has the fee been reduced
to what may be thought the lowest possible point, but registered letter
envelopes are now sold in different and convenient sizes. The Post
Office also undertakes to make good, under certain reasonable
conditions, up to L2 the value of any registered letter which it loses.

If people who have these facilities for sending letters securely
provided for them choose to run the risk of loss, they deserve very
little sympathy if the chance goes against them. Last year an
unregistered letter containing a cheque was alleged to have been stolen
in the post. It was found, however, to have been duly delivered by being
pushed under the front door, and afterwards to have been torn in pieces
by some puppies inside the house. The fragments were in the end
discovered in the straw of the dog-kennel. Now, had the sender only
spent 2d. in registering this letter, a receipt would have been taken on
its delivery, and all chance of its falling into the paws of the
puppies would have been prevented.

But it is wonderful what people, penny-wise and pound foolish, will
sometimes do to save 2d. A few years back the sealing-wax on a letter
was found to contain L1 10s. in gold coins. There could hardly be a more
stupid way of sending money.

If coin, or watches, or jewellery are posted in letters or packets
without registrati