“_Bonâ fide_ subscribers to weekly newspapers can receive the same free of postage, if they reside in the county in which the paper is printed and published, even if the office to which the paper is sent is without the county, provided it is the office at which they regularly receive their mail-matter.” In justice, however, to many publishers, who look upon the law as too _liberal_, they disdain taking advantage of it.[52] _POSTAGE ON TRANSIENT PRINTED MATTER._ Books not over 4 ounces in weight, to one address 4 cts. ” over 4 ounces and not over 8 ounces 8 ” ” over 8 ounces and not over 12 ounces 12 ” ” over 12 ounces and not over 16 ounces 16 ” Circulars not exceeding three in number, to one address 2 ” ” over three and not over six 4 ” ” over six and not over nine 6 ” ” over nine and not exceeding twelve 8 ” Persons anxious to possess a general knowledge of the post-office laws, rules, and regulations are referred to “Appleton’s United States Postal Guide,” published quarterly, by the authority of the postmaster-general, New York. It contains the chief regulations of the post-office, and a complete list of post-offices throughout the United States, &c. The following accompanies each number:— “WASHINGTON, D.C., ———, 1865. “This volume has been prepared with my sanction, and is an authorized medium of information between the post-office department and the public. “POSTMASTER-GENERAL.” _NEWSPAPERS, EXCHANGES, ETC._ “Gazettes sent gratis down and franked, For which thy patron’s weekly thanked.” The question of the right to send and receive letters and packets through the mail free of postage is not denied, for it is so expressly stated in the “Laws and Regulations of the Post-Office Department,” chap. xviii. sect. 228. It is viewed in the light of “personal privileges,” or as an official trust for the maintenance of official correspondence. In both its forms the right varies in respect to different classes of officers and individuals, in the kind as well as weight of matters which may be so sent or received. An interchange between publishers of pamphlets, periodicals, magazines, and newspapers of their respective publications is allowed for the purpose of promoting the dissemination of this kind of information, of which they are the vehicles. This is the head and front of the franking privilege, nothing more, but should be considerably less.