retaining 2_d._ of our 5_d._, in addition to their own 5_d._; whereas, when we collect the postage, we hand over to the French the whole of their 5_d._, retaining our own 5_d._ without any addition. Upon certain small classes of letters the arrangement would be in favour of the English, but to a very slight extent even upon such classes; and, on the general balance the disadvantage is to an annual amount probably of some thousands of pounds."[11] Upon the importance of additional facilities there was the less need that I should repeat in my pamphlet what I had advanced before the Committee, because of the ample recognition given to such importance, in general terms, by Colonel Maberly, in his evidence:-- "The Post Office has always held the opinion, and I believe they are right, that facilities judiciously applied will enormously increase the correspondence; and I have sometimes myself pushed this doctrine to a length that may be considered almost absurd, that facilities increase correspondence almost more than reduction of the rate."[12] On the question, however, of what had been done towards that increase of facilities recognised as so important, I dealt with one or two of the most prominent points. Thus, under the head, "Security of Correspondence," I referred to my evidence on the subject of registration; feeling it the more necessary to enlarge upon this point because of the exaggerated views put forth in his evidence by Colonel Maberly as to the insecurity then existing--views expressed in such phrases as "The department has become thoroughly demoralized;"[13] there has been "enormous plunder and robbery;"[14] "the plunder is terrific;"[15] and, by way of climax, "a letter posted with money in it might as well be thrown down in the street as put into the Post Office."[16] After I had explained to the Committee the difficulties to be encountered in the travelling-office--where "how the duty is to be performed" the Postmaster-General had declared himself "altogether at a loss to imagine," adding that "if the number of registered letters should increase largely this office must be abolished"--a return was ordered by the Committee, in which, when received, the danger to the public service certainly stood forth in a ludicrous light; since it appeared that the number of registered letters then to be dealt with in the travelling-office, during its whole journey from London to Preston, averaged only six each trip!