The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and RomanceHyde, James Wilson
History
The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and Romance
Hyde, James Wilson
Postal service -- Great Britain
"Mr Postmaster if you would be so kind as to seek for us work as we are
two colored young men of ---- Illinois, and would like to come to
England and get work as Coachmen or race horse trainers, as we have been
experance for twelve years practicesing training--if any further
information about it we can be reckemend to any one that wish to hire
us, pleas to advertise it in the papers for us."
The two letters of inquiry for situations which follow are rather
amusing, owing to their mode of expression, being written by foreigners
not having a command of the English idiom; and they will mirror to our
own countrymen what sort of figures they must sometimes cut in the eyes
of our neighbours across the Channel, when airing their "dictionary
French" in the metropolis of fashion:--
"SIR,--I have the honour of coming to solicit of your goodwill of
telling me if I could not to pass into the English Telegraphic
Administration, and, in the affirmative, what I would must make for
that. I have undergone here all the examens demanded by the French
Administration; I am now surnumerary, and in a few months I shall be
named clerck. I know completely the two Breguet's and Morse machines,
and I have begun the 'Hughes.' But, as I am now in a little office where
that last is not employed, I cannot improve me actually. I have also
some knowledge of the English language. I have kept the last year the
post of ---- during several months.
"As for my family, my father died from two years, was advocate and
sus-prefect ---- during thirty years. Myself, at Paris, I have had for
scholl-fellow, several young gentlemen, among others, Master ----, the
son of the great English perfumery, and others notable manufacturers of
London, where I should desire ardently to be clerck, if, by effect of
your good-will, you give satisfaction to my claim. I am old of
twenty-five years, and I have satisfied to the military law.
"I dare to hope, Master the Director, that, be it as it may, you will
make to me the honour of answering what I must expect of your
resolution, and in the same time yours conditions.
"I am, Master, in expecting, with the most profound respect, your very
humble servant."
"SWITZERLAND.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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