THE ARTS OF CARRYING LETTERS AND MAKING ENEMIES.

Tire Post-office, we imagine, is not a sacred part of the constitu- tion; not fundamental, or organic ; not tabooed for those even who would touch nothing that has come to us from the wisdom of our ancestors; but an affair of administration merely, to which reform might be extended without alarming the most timid Con- servative. Yet is there not perhaps one branch of administration of higher importance to the public. Thus, without any sort of objection to reforming this department, there are the strongest reasons for improving it as much as possible. But as the carriage of letters has been made, however improperly, a means of taxa- tion, it is a necessary condition of practical improvement in the art, that the alteration should not occasion any loss of revenue. This necessity has not been overlooked in the admirable plan of Post-office improvement which was lately submitted to Parlia- ment by Lord ASHBURTON. Admirable it may well be called, seeing that, in the deliberate opinion of the eminent persons whose names we print below,* it would enable the Post-office, not only without any loss, but probably with an increase of revenue, to reduce the charge for all letters, from whatever distance coming, to one penny. Our own opinion of this great improvement in the art of carrying letters, has been sufficiently expressed before; but we feel it a duty to show what sort of treatment the plan has received from his late Majesty's Government. The plan, with all the calculations on which it is founded, was fairly laid before the public by its author, Mr. HILL. We said at the time, that Mr. HILL would find it hard to move the bum- bureaucracy of St. Martin's-le-Grand. They, of course, disre- garded the insolent proposal to improve " their own" department of administration. But pressure from without was brought to

bear upon this aristocracy of the desk. Petitions signed as below, and strongly recommending an universal Penny-post, were pre- sented to both Houses of Parliament. In the Lords, the petition

was presented by Lord ASHBURTON, and supported by the Duke of WELLINGTON; who cannot more effectually serve their party

than by showing that the Tories are willing to promote adminis-

trative improvements—the end and aim of organic change. Thus pressed, two Cabinet Ministers gave their opinion of the plan : it was, said Mr. Rice in the Commons, and Lord DUNCANNON in

the Lords, " under the serious consideration of his Majesty's Go- vernment." Nay, they stated, as matter of fact, that the Government thought so highly of the scheme, as to contem- plate a partial adoption of it by way of experiment. One should have supposed that all the world and his wife and

of

Mr. Hill's universal Penny-post. • Syeatures to a Petition in Amur The Lord Mayor.

George Barnes, Esq. Messrs. John Chapman and Co. James Colvin, Esq. Messrs. Copelaud and Garrett. Sir Charles Cockerel!, Bart. and Co. Messrs. Davidsons. Barkly, and Co. Messrs. James Dunlop and Co. Messrs. Fletcher, Alexander, and Co. Messrs Gledstanes and Co.

..a. Messrs. Gregson, Melville, and CO.

e: ° Messrs. G. W. S. Hibbert and Co.

13 Messrs. Ilunter, Gouger, and Co.

T, A Messrs. M'Calmont . Brothers, and Co. Messrs. Moffatt and Co.

Messrs. Montetiore. Brothers.

Messrs. James Morrison and Co.

Messrs. Morris, l'revost, and Co.

Messrs. Paliners.Mackillop,llent, &Co.

James Pattison. Esq. M.P.

Messrs. Jelin Vide and Co.

Messrs. Small, Colmilmuu, and Co.

Messrs. George Wilde" and Co.

Messrs. Curries and Co.

Messrs. Ilatiburys, Taylor, and Llo)d.

Messrs. Ilmikey and Co.

Messrs. Jones, Loyd, and Co. Fir J. A. Lubbock, Bt., Forster & Cu.

a e

Notional Bank or I rebind. Messrs. Gverentl. Gurney, and Co.

" Messrs. Prescott, Grote, and Co.

Messrs. liogers, Olding, and Co.

Messrs. Spooner, Attwoods, and Co.

Messsrs. Twitting.

td Messrs. Wright and Co.

e Atlas. a I land in Hand.

oll Licensed Victuallers.

E Sun.

..c Westminster. Cd Dr. Arnott.

William Allen. Esq. (the petition to the Commons only).

Charles Babbagc, Esq. Dr. Birkbeek.

J. It. M' Collodi, Esq. N. W. Senior, Esq. Colonel Torrens.

Messrs. Adlington and Co. Messrs. Amory and Coles.

Messrs. Austen and Hobson.

Messrs. Animist and Gainsford.

Messrs.Clarke,Fynmore, and Flailgate

Messrs. Desborough and Young. Messrs. flynely. Coverdale, and Lee.

Messrs. Freslitield rind Sous.

Messrs. E. and J. Lawrord.

Messrs. J. and S. Pearce, Philips, and

Bolger.

Messrs. William Tooke and Son.

Messrs. Taylor and Field.

E. A. Wilde, Esq.

Messrs. Bahlw in and Cradock.

Messrs. Chnrles Knight and Co.

.s Messrs. Long man, Itees,Orrne, aodeo.

John Murray, Esq.

Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co, iMessrs. Clown and Sons.

• r. 1 Andrew Spottiswoode, Esq. Messrs. Allen, Ilattburys, at d Barry,

Chemists.

Messrs. II. and M. Boyd, Stockbrokers.

Messrs. R. W. and G. Crawshay and

Co. lionmasters.

Messrs. William M. and John Christy

and CO. flatters.

Messrs. B., T., and W. Hawes, Soap-

boilers.

Sir Henry Menu, Bart.

Messrs. Trueman and Cook, Brokers.

Messrs. Travers and Sons, Grocers.

Messrs. Warner and Sons, Grocers.

children would soon be able to send their letters by post, to whatever distance, for one penny each. But no; for after the above assurance from Mr. Rice and Lord DUNCANNON, the Postmaster-General, Lord LICHFIELD, comes down to the House of Lords and declares, that the plan has indeed been under his consideration, but that it is the " most visionary scheme that he ever beard or read of." What a well-managed Government! And then, to say no more of Lord LICHFIELD'S frank avowal that the Government had not contemplated trying the plan on a small scale, as Mr. Rice and Lord DUNCANNON had just before gravely asserted, look at the names which we print below, and think of the policy of telling those gentlemen that they are a parcel of moon-struck visionaries ! Lord MELBOURNE may be excused for not comprehending the art of carrying letters : but it does seem strange, that be, than whom no man is more skilful in the art of making personal friends, should allow his subordinates to excel in that of making enemies to his Government.

This article, however, belongs to the late reign. Since it was in type, we have heard of a case in which her Majesty's Govern- ment have shown every disposition to make friends by promoting the public good; and we shall not fail, when the proper time comes, to exhibit their conduct in this matter with the same re- gard to truth as has impelled us to speak plainly of Lord LICH- FIELD'S fully.