26o THE COACHING AGE. 



stance that in 1836 there were not less than 

 141 Acts of Parliament, some wholly and others 

 partially existing, affecting the Post Office, commenc- 

 ing with one passed in the reign of Queen Anne, the 

 subject being the' Duke of Marlborough's pension 

 out of the Post-Office revenue. 



With a view to consolidating all these Acts, Mr. 

 Peacock, the solicitor to the Post Office, prepared 

 four bills, the object of one being to repeal all the 

 existing Acts, and another to provide for the general 

 management and regulation of the Post Office. 



While on the subject of the Post Office, a few 

 remarks as to the scope and nature of the duties 

 attached to it at the time just referred to, and at the 

 present day, may not be out of place. 



When the mails were on the road, the work of 

 the Post Office was confined strictly to the conveyance 

 of letters and papers, but it is now extended to the 

 Savings Bank, life insurances, granting annuities, the 

 telegraphic business, and the parcel-post. 



As regards the latter department, the project of a 

 parcel-post conducted by the Post Office was mooted 

 as long back as 1836; and a gentleman, having in 

 the course of his business to receive and despatch 

 many parcels, gave it as his opinion that if the Post 

 Office took parcels at a fair rate, it would be a 

 great convenience to the public, and would add 



