Volume 1

320 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1838
additional weight of bags, the average weight of the
chargeable letters might be increased twenty-four fold
before the limit of 1,680 pounds would be reached. It
was further shown that the weight of all the chargeable
letters contained in the thirty-two mails leaving London
was but 1,456 pounds; that is, less than the weight
which a single mail-coach could carry.*
Though the amount to be recommended as the
uniform rate was of course a question for the consideration
of the committee, yet, as my plan fixed it
at one penny, most of the witnesses assumed this as
the it
contemplated change, making the basis of their
estimates, and counting upon this low rate for turning
into the regular channel of the post various communications
then habitually made by other means such, for
instance, as small orders, letters of advice, remittances,
policies of insurance, and letters enclosing patterns and
samples, all of which were, for the most part, diverted
into irregular channels by the excessive postage. Similar
expectations were held out with respect to letters between
country attorneys and their London agents,
documents connected with magisterial and county
and with various local trusts and com-
jurisdiction,
missions for the management of sewers, harbours,
and roads, and of schools and charities, together with
notices of meetings and elections to be held by jointstock
and proprietary bodies.t The mere enumeration
will surprise the reader of the present day, accustomed
as he must be to send and receive all such communications
by the post alone. Nor will it seem less
strange to learn that at that time the post had little to
do with the circulation of prices current, catalogues of
sales, prospectuses, circulars, and other documents
issued by public institutions for the promotion of
* "Third Report," p. 50. t "Third Report," p. 52.