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Secondly, there exists a cousidernble number of parcel
conveyance companies which organise systems of distribution
on a more or less extensive scale. As examples of these may
be mentioned the Globe Parcel Expross, Crouch’s Universal
Parcel Conveyance, Manu’s Parcel Despatch, Sutton and Co.
These companies are in some degree nnnlogous to tho excellent
American Express Companies. Soma of tlmu undertake to
couvey parcels to almost any spot, on the 1labit:llle globe; but
they must depend upon local convey:luces for performing tllo
contract. In the United Kingdom, they, of cours‘scl, mako uso
of the railways for conveyance over long distunces. At ono
time the railway comp:mies, if I recollect aright,, waged a war
of extermination against them, claiming n right to cllnrge
each parcel sent by a porcel express at tho parcel rates,
although they might be packed in bulk. But tho courts of
law did not uphold this extravagant demand of the railways, and
the express companies seem to carry 011 a flourishing business.
In the third place tllere is a number of local parcel delivery
companies, cach of which owns mauy vans and horses, but
restricts its operations within tho area of a town or other
populous district. As examples of such may be mentioned tho
London Parcels Delivery Company, Carter, Paterson i% Co.,
Sutton & Co.’s London Systeru, etc. Theso companies serve
the whole metropolitan area. Other largo towns generally
have similar companies on :L proportionate scale. Liverpool,
Glasgow, and Edinburgh especially haw extensive systems of
distribution.
Lastly, there is an almost infinite number of small disconnected
carriers, who serve particular villages and lines of road.
They are usually men who own one, two, or at most only a
few carts and horses, who travel daily into some country town,
and put up at a favourite public-house. This house serve& as
a depth for parcels and messages left for them, and tho carrier
calls at various places on and off his usual route, whether to
pick up or deliver small goods, according to instructions.
Their charges are very various, and governed by no de;
except in London, the only law on the subject seems to be to
the effect that the charge must be reasonable, whatever that