The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and RomanceHyde, James Wilson
History
The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and Romance
Hyde, James Wilson
Postal service -- Great Britain
In another instance a depositor proposed to send his likeness, with a
view to his identification, lest some other person might get possession
of his book, and so withdraw his savings. He then proceeded in his
letter to touch upon another matter as follows:--"There are some little
articles I would like to get from London, and one of them is some
natural leaf-tobacco, which I would be glad if you sent me an ounce of,
and charge me for it--it is only to be bought in the largest
tobacco-stores." Not receiving the tobacco, he expressed surprise in a
subsequent letter that his request had not been complied with,
observing, by way of reproach perhaps, that "the commonest person in
America (my country) can speak to General Grant, and there is nothing
said wrong about it."
A good deal of trouble has to be taken in sifting claims for moneys in
the Post-office Savings Bank--especially in cases where the persons
concerned are of a poor and illiterate class. The following may be taken
as a case in point:--
"An account had been opened in a manufacturing town in Yorkshire in 1868
by a girl who was described as a minor over seven years of age. Only one
deposit was made; and nothing further was heard of the account until
1872, when a labourer wrote from Northumberland claiming the money as
having been deposited by his wife, who had recently died. On a marriage
certificate being forwarded, it was found that the marriage took place
in 1851, and that the wife was thirty-five years of age at that time.
The applicant also stated that he could swear to his wife's handwriting,
whereas the depositor could not write. He was informed of these
discrepancies, but still insisted that the money was deposited by his
wife, and employed a lawyer to urge his claim."
Sometimes depositors mislay their deposit-books, or lose them
altogether, and in course of time forget that they have anything lying
at their credit. This is an instance of such a case:--A depositor, upon
being reminded that he had not sent up his book for a periodical
examination--the time for which was already past--replied that his book
was lost, but that if there was any balance due to him, he would be glad
to have the particulars. The amount due to him was upwards of £10; but
as, when a depositor has lost his book, it is usual to test his
knowledge of the account, this course was followed, when, from the
answers received, it was made clear that he was entirely ignorant of the
sum standing to his credit--and, indeed, that he believed his account to
be closed. But for the notice sent to him in regard to his deposit-book,
he would never have made any claim.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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