------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber’s Note: This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. Superscripted characters are indicated with a carat (‘^’). If multiple characters are superscripted, they are delimited with curly braces (e.g. M^{rs.}). Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced. Most illustrations are full-page photographs. These were described by a simple caption as well as a brief paragraph. This material is included here, moved slightly to avoid falling on a paragraph break. Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. THE POST OFFICE & ITS STORY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: HEAVING OVERBOARD THE MAILS.] Fernando Noronha is a little island in the South Atlantic Ocean, and when a vessel does not call there the letters are enclosed in a cask, to which a flag is attached; this is cast into the sea and there left floating until a boat from the island picks it up. The island is sighted by perhaps more ships and visited by fewer than any other spot on the globe. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE POST OFFICE AND ITS STORY _AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF A GREAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT_ BY EDWARD BENNETT With 31 Illustrations LONDON SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LTD. 38 GREAT RUSSELL STREET 1912 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE SCIENCE OF TO-DAY SERIES _With many illustrations. Extra Crown 8vo. 5s. net._ =BOTANY OF TO-DAY.= A Popular Account of the Evolution of Modern Botany. By Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A., B.SC., Author of “The Romance of Plant Life,” _&c. &c._ “One of the books that turn botany from a dryasdust into a fascinating study.”—_Evening Standard._ =AERIAL NAVIGATION OF TO-DAY.= A Popular Account of the Evolution of Aeronautics. By CHARLES C. TURNER. “Mr. Turner is well qualified to write with authority on the subject. The book sets forth the principles of flight in plain non-technical language. One is impressed by the complete thoroughness with which the subject is treated.”—_Daily Graphic._