"Before stating the results of postal reform, it may be convenient that I should briefly enumerate the more important organic improvements effected. They are as follows: "1. A very large reduction in the rates of postage on all correspondence, whether inland, foreign, or colonial. As instances in point, it may be stated that letters are now conveyed from any part of the United Kingdom to any other part--even from the Channel Islands to the Shetland Isles--at one-fourth of the charge previously levied on letters passing between post towns only a few miles apart;[232] and that the rate formerly charged for this slight distance--viz., fourpence--now suffices to carry a letter from any part of the United Kingdom to any part of France, Algeria included. "2. The adoption of charge by weight, which, by abolishing the charge for mere enclosures, in effect largely extended the reduction of rates. "3. Arrangements which have led to the almost universal resort to prepayment of correspondence, and that by means of stamps. "4. The simplification of the mechanism and accounts of the department generally, by the above and other means. "5. The establishment of the book-post (including in its operation all printed and much MS. matter), at very low rates; and its modified extension to our colonies, and to many foreign countries. "6. Increased security in the transmission of valuable letters afforded, and temptation to the letter-carriers and others greatly diminished, by reducing the registration fee from 1_s._ to 4_d._, by making registration of letters containing coin compulsory, and by other means. "7. A reduction to about one-third in the cost--including postage--of money orders; combined with a great extension and improvement of the system. "8. More frequent and more rapid communication between the Metropolis and the larger provincial towns; as also between one provincial town and another. "9. A vast extension of the rural distribution--many thousands of places, and probably some millions of inhabitants, having, for the first time, been included within the postal system. "10. A great extension of free deliveries. Before the adoption of penny postage, many considerable towns, and portions of nearly all the larger towns, had either no delivery at all, or deliveries on condition of an extra charge. "11. Greatly increased facilities afforded for the transmission of foreign and colonial correspondence; by improved treaties with foreign countries, by a better arrangement of the packet service, by sorting on board, and other means. "12. A more prompt despatch of letters when posted, and a more prompt delivery on arrival.