That all is not gold that glitters has been recently brought home to three or four of the sub-postmasters in the Bristol district, a "sharper" having presented coins gilded to represent sovereigns and half-sovereigns, and obtained Postal Orders in exchange for them. Through the vigilance of the Bristol police the offender was eventually taken into custody, and, having been sentenced at the Assizes to six months' imprisonment, he had plenty of time to reflect on his offences. A bright, shining new farthing was received at the Bristol head office, sent inadvertently in a remittance from a sub-office as a half-sovereign, and mixed up with coins of that value, only to be detected, however, by the vigilant check clerk. The sub-postmaster who accepted it in error for a coin of more precious metal, and did not discover the mistake even in preparing the remittance, had to bear the loss. One sub-postmaster, who has now departed this life, was wont to furnish his explanations and reports in rhyme, a course which was tolerated on account of its singularity and of the writer's zeal and known devotion to his duty. The following is an example:-- To the POSTMASTER OF BRISTOL: "I willingly answer the question Respecting the length of the track From Shirehampton P.O. to Kingsweston House front door, or lodge at the back; But respecting the relative merits Of back door, or door at the front, As delivery door, I aver it's A question I cannot but shunt. To return to the question of distance: Suppose that the birds of the air, Sworn in as Post Office assistants, To Kingsweston would messages bear: As straight through their skiey dominions They flew from front door to front door, The length of the track of their pinions In yards would be 1224. When a featherless biped is bearer, And through the lone woods his path picks, The feet of this weary wayfarer Cover yards quite 1466. Should the wight have a key, there's a second Way thro' the sunk fence's locked gate, And then his poor feet must be reckoned To make yards 1388. As regards the back door, I pass by it; The back lodge itself is much less Than a mile, howsomdever you try it, By Shirehampton Post Office Express. I do not pretend to correctness, To one yard or even a dozen; No need for extreme circumspectness, The margin's too ample to cozen. I'm obliged by your flattering reference, And when you've another dispute on, I shall still be, with all proper deference, Your obedient Servant,--G. NEWTON."