Besides, the history of that eventful struggle can be properly told but by one hand, and that hand, if spared, intends, we believe, to tell his own story. Mr. Torrens MacCullagh, in his _Life of Sir James Graham_, has thrown much new light on the letter-opening transactions of 1844, and we have been led, on inquiry, to concur in many of his views on the subject. The greater portion of the second division of this volume, as well as a portion of the first part, appeared originally in the pages of several popular serial publications--principally _Chambers's Journal_ and Mr. Chambers's _Book of Days_; the whole, however, has been thoroughly revised, where it has not been re-written, and otherwise adapted to the purposes of the present work. We are indebted to Mr. Robert Chambers, LL.D., not only for permitting the republication of these papers in this form, but also for kindly indicating to us sources of information from the rich storehouse of his experience, which we have found very useful. On collateral subjects, such as roads and conveyances, besides having, in common with other readers, the benefit of Mr. Smiles's valuable researches in his _Lives of the Engineers_, we are personally indebted to him for kindly advice. We have only to add that, while in no sense an authorized publication, personal acquaintance has been brought to bear on the treatment of different parts of it, and that we have received, in describing the various branches of the Post-Office, much valuable information from Mr. J. Bowker and several gentlemen connected with the London Establishment. It is hoped that the information, now for the first time brought together, may prove interesting to many letter-writers who are ignorant, though not willingly so, of the channels through which their correspondence flows. If our readers think that the Wise Man was right when he likened the receipt of pleasant intelligence from a far country to cold water given to a thirsty soul, surely they will also admit that the _agency_ employed to compass this good service, which has made its influence felt in every social circle, and which has brought manifold blessings in its train, deserves some passing thought and attention. The Appendix is designed to afford a source of general reference on many important matters relating to the Post-Office, some parts of it having been carefully collated from Parliamentary documents not easily accessible to the public. _April 16, 1864._ CONTENTS. PART I. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE POST-OFFICE. CHAPTER I. PAGE INTRODUCTORY 1 CHAPTER II. THE RISE OF THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE 15 CHAPTER III. ON OLD ROADS AND SLOW COACHES 37 CHAPTER IV. THE SETTLEMENT OF THE POST-OFFICE 47 CHAPTER V.