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In 1856, a sub-office was established at Threlked, and John 
Gill was appointed rural postman, an office which he held with 
great credit until 1876. He retired, after twenty-and-a-half years 
service, upon a small pension. During part of the time, he rodea 
white ‘mule, and it was a unique sight to see him ride into the 
‘metropolis of the lake country (not unfrequently with his spectacles 
on) reminding one of the old prophets we have read about. I tried 
to get his steed toll free, but it was decided that he could not be 
allowed that privilege. 
In the same year a rural post was established to Newlands. 
Here there was no office established. It is what is called a 
circular route, William Greenip, son of “old Bill’ before men- 
tioned, was the first to take the office. He went this route for 
sixteen years and a half, when he retired through rheumatism. He 
was very highly respected by the dalesmen of Newlands, and on 
his retirement was presented with a purse containing #11 (the 
only postman who ever received such a recognition of his services 
here), which was all the more appreciated by him because it was 
headed by General Sir John G. Woodford and Mrs. Spencer Bell, 
who appreciated his merit. He has still a small pension, having 
retired seventeen years ago. He is, like his late father, a naturalist, 
and a man full of local information, residing at Plosh, in the same 
house as that in which his father ended his days.* 
On October 8, 1860, a circular post was established for Naddle 
servants. On Saturday last Mr. James Langhorn, who for twenty-nine years has 
fulfilled the office of rural postman for Borrowdale, was placed upon the retired 
list, Mr. W. E. White being oppointed to fill the vacancy. During six days in 
_ the week for twenty-nine years, in every kind of weather (many a time during 
_ the winter months having to ford the pathway waist deep in water). ‘‘ Old 
_ Jimmy,” as he is familiarly called by the inhabitants and visitors, has trudged 
on foot in the exercise of his duty eighteen miles per day, or upwards of 162,000 
miles during his period of service, nearly seven times the circumference of the 
earth. ‘‘Jimmy’s” familiar figure will be missed by many of the visitors to the 
district, by whom he was well known and respected for his civility and 
attention. 
_ * In Natural History he has studied Insects, Birds, Birds’ Eggs, Geology, 
Mineralogy, Fossils (Graptolites of the Skiddaw Slate). In Botany, Ferns and 
nearly allied plants only. Of each of these he has specimens, which he disposes 
of to purchasers. 
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