But perhaps the most human documents of all are to be found in the correspondence relating to the claims of deceased depositors' representatives. In hundreds of cases there are to be found tragedy and comedy, and glimpses of what the struggle of life means to the working populations. All accounts under £100 of deceased depositors who have left no will have to be distributed by the Postmaster-General under the Statutes of Distribution, and a difficult matter this is sometimes in the case of large families. Payment of these small sums is also made on production of a will, and these documents are often pathetic as well as amusing. Here is one: “I leave everything to my wife. I did not know it was wrong to sell those hens. I will be a teetotaller as near as possible. I have said things which had no meaning.” This was evidently written when the man was seriously ill, and we seem to understand at once his own little weaknesses as well as the trials of his wife. One likes especially the way he hedges about the drink question: there is evidently a chance of his recovery from the illness. A mother on claiming the money deposited by her dead son was asked if the father were alive. “Father living but insignificant,” was her illuminating reply. A claimant to the money of a deceased depositor explained his omission to furnish a correct list of the next of kin in this way: “Her relations are robbing me through thick and thin, and I think it is my turn to start.” The Department declined to admit the cogency of the argument. A person on applying for an insurance through the Post Office Savings Bank was asked among other questions to state the cause of his father's death. His answer was: “I don't know; I can't remember; but it was nothing serious.” The son of a depositor claimed his father's money, but inquiries made by the Department revealed the fact that he was born before marriage, and consequently could not claim as next of kin. The claimant was delicately informed of his disqualification. He then tried to establish a claim as creditor of his father's estate, and sent in a bill containing the following item: “Shock to system on learning of my illegitimacy, £2, 5s.” This is what the late President Kruger would have called “moral and intellectual damage.” Here is a bill for an Irish wake charged against the estate of a deceased depositor:— Bought of —— Grocer, &c. 6 gallons of whisky £5 8 0 12 bottles cordial 0 3 0 ½ lb. tobacco 0 2 0 ½ lb. tea 0 1 6 Drinks 0 0 8 —— —— —— £5 15 2 ==== ==== ====