_G.P._ You are too good. Next, the carelessness at Branch Offices is extremely irritating. For instance, it is often the case that the words of telegrams have been altered and changed during transmission. It is unnecessary to point out that such mistakes are liable to create annoyance, not to say disaster. _G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration. _G.P._ Very many thanks. Then, at offices where females are engaged, rudeness is very common. Would-be purchasers of postage-stamps are frequently kept waiting while the clerks chatter to one another about matters entirely unconnected with the Department. And this habit is gaining ground in those offices in which male labour is only employed, especially in the immediate neighbourhood of St. Martin's-le-Grand itself. It is useless to call attention to this practice, as a simple denial from an official implicated is accepted by the authorities as proof (almost) positive of his or her innocence. _G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration. _G.P._ Again, thanks for your courtesy. But about these and many other grievances, the same stereotyped answer has invariably been received. _G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration. _G.P._ Exactly! That is the very answer. And it is felt that no other outcome will result from agitation. It seems utterly impossible to make the officials in charge realise their responsibility to the taxpayers. _G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration. _G.P._ Of course; the same parrot-cry! And it may be for years, and it be for ever, before reform is introduced. The probability is, that the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs may exist at St. Martin's-le-Grand until the hour of doom. _G.P.O._ Your complaint shall receive consideration. * * * * * REFLECTION BY A GENERAL READER. I have been reading books wherein 'tis shown (In diction autocratic, sour, un-civil), That nothing can be absolutely known, Save that the Universe is wholly evil! And even this poor result is only plain To Genius--which, of course, is quite a rarity. _I_ should have thought this would have given it pain, And moved it to both modesty and charity; But what surprises _me_ (--ZOILUS, to mock sure, Will whip me with sham-epigrams would-be witty,--) Is that Agnostics seem so awfully pure, And Pessimists so destitute of pity. * * * * * ANNALS OF A WATERING-PLACE THAT HAS "SEEN ITS DAY." [Illustration]