tre, with the lion couchant (Whiggish) at her feet;
her arms are extended, scattering little flying children to some
elephants on the left; and, on the right, to a group of gentlemen,
some of whom, at all events, are not enclosed in _envelopes_, writing
on their knees, evidently on account of a paucity of tables. There
are, besides, sundry figures, who, if they were to appear in the
streets of London, or any of our highways, would be liable to the
penalties of the Vagrant Act for indecent exposure. Under the
tableland by which these figures are supported, some evidence of a
laudable curiosity is depicted, by three or four ladies, who are
represented reading a billet doux, or valentine, and some little
boys, evidently learning to spell, by the mental exertion which their
anxious faces disclose. One serious omission we must notice. Why
have those Mercuries in red jackets, who traverse London and its
environs on lame ponies, been omitted? We must admit that, as they
have been, recently, better mounted, that is one reason why they
should not appear in this Government picture."

But the reader can judge how far this description is borne out.

[Picture: Mulready envelope]

As a matter of fact, it was so universally disapproved of by the public,
and was the object of so much ridicule, as to necessitate the destruction
of nearly all the vast number prepared for issue. To do this, a machine
had to be specially constructed; the attempt to do the work by fire, in
close stoves (fear of robbery forbade the use of open ones), having
absolutely failed. They are now somewhat scarce, but are extensively
forged. It was satirized and laughed at by all, and a contemporary
criticism, which has been reproduced in _The Philatelist_, vol. vii., p.
145, is very amusing:

"Britannia is sending her messengers forth
To the East, to the West, to the South, to the North:
At her feet is a lion wot's taking a nap,
And a dish-cover rests on her legs and her lap.
To the left is a Mussulman writing a letter,
His knees form a desk, for the want of a better;
Another believer's apparently trying
To help him in telling the truth, or in lying.
Two slaves 'neath their burden seem ready to sink,
But a sly-looking elephant 'tips us the wink';
His brother behind, a most corpulent beast,
Just exhibit