POSTMASTERS-GENERAL. (RT. HON. A. MORLEY AND THE MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY)
VISIT BRISTOL.--THE POSTMASTER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.--THE KING'S NEW
POSTAGE STAMPS.--CORONATION OF KING EDWARD VII.--LOYALTY OF POST OFFICE
STAFF.--MRS. VARNAM-COGGAN'S CORONATION POEM.
Mr. Arnold Morley, during his term of office as Postmaster-General,
visited Bristol, and was presented by the Chamber of Commerce with an
address, worded thus:--"The Bristol Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and
Shipping. To the Right Honorable Arnold Morley, M.P., Her Majesty's
Postmaster General. Sir,--The Council of the Bristol Incorporated
Chamber of Commerce and Shipping are glad to embrace the opportunity
afforded by your visit to this city of expressing their high
appreciation of the services rendered to the state in general and to the
commercial community in particular by the energy and enterprise
displayed in your administration of the Postal and Telegraphic
Departments of the public service. We recognise that in matters such as
are ranged under your control there can be no finality, and that however
excellent our present Postal and Telegraphic arrangements may appear,
your Departments must be quick to discern the arrival of fresh needs
such as our rapidly developing civilization must constantly bring. We
rejoice in the abundant evidence that you have thoroughly appreciated
the absolute necessity for continual advance and adaptation, and that
you are labouring with such zeal to keep the complicated machinery of
the General Post Office up to date and equal to the immense and ever
increasing strain it has to bear, whilst the Council think it only right
to acknowledge the marked and unvarying urbanity with which, at all
times, you and your officials receive and discuss any suggestions for
the improvement of the services, emanating from Chambers of Commerce and
other sources. In conclusion, the Council recognise in your person the
son of a late highly-esteemed Parliamentary Representative of the city
of Bristol, Mr. Samuel Morley, who for many years took an active
interest in the proceedings of this Chamber and of the Association of
Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom; and the Council take this
occasion to tender you their sincere congratulations on the high
position you have attained in the councils and government of this great
Empire. We remain, Sir, Your obedient servants, (Sd.) George H. Perrin,
President; E. Burrow Hill, Mark Whitwill, Vice-Presidents; H.J. Spear,
Secretary. Bristol, 1st Nov., 1894."
The Marquis of Londonderry, when Postmaster-General, was the chief guest
at the annual banquet of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, held at the
Royal Hotel, Bristol, under the presidency of Mr. T.T. Lindrea, on the
24th April, 1901. Among those present were Earl Waldegrave, Sir Herbert
Ashman, J.P., Sir Frederick Wills, M.P., Judge Austin, J.P., Mr. C.E.
Hobhouse, M.P., Mr. Lewis Fry, the Lord Mayor (Mr. Colthurst Godwin),
the High Sheriff (Mr. E.B. James), etc.
In responding to the toast of "His Majesty's Ministers," Lord
Londonderry alluded to the great growth that had taken place in the
population, trade, and prosperity of Bristol during the late Queen's
reign. Last February, he said, in eighteen days, the amount paid on
goods taken out of Bond reached £487,000. Of this sum, no less than
£430,000 was paid in the last eight days, and of this £370,000 came from
a single firm for withdrawals of tobacco from Bond. This included the
enormous single cheque paid by that firm one day for a quarter of a
million--the largest single cheque ever known at His Majesty's Customs
at Bristol. He also congratulated Bristol on the great development to
her trade that must come through the inauguration in February last of
the new service to the West Indies. This, he was sure, would do much not
only to strengthen the ties that bound this country to the West Indian
Colonies, but also to restore to Bristol some measure of that position
she had once enjoyed in the trade of the United Kingdom. He was rather
glad his good friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not there that
night, for if he heard how much was spent in benefiting those who relied
on the Post Office, and how little they handed over to the national
exchequer, he would not be inclined to meet him when he suggested
certain postal reforms, as he intended to do next year. He hoped they
would invite him to meet Sir Michael in Bristol, for he might then be
inclined to grant him (the speaker) any request he might make. He wanted
them to recognise that the Postmaster-General's good intentions, and
they were many, were controlled by Parliamentary and statutory
exigencies. He had also been asked to improve their rates on foreign
letters and parcels, as well as to cheapen the delivery of letters and
parcels from abroad; but it was entirely forgotten that he had to reckon
with foreign Powers. A Postal Reformer had declared, in a letter, that
it was possible to create an ideal Post Office. He wished he could
accede to every one of his requests, but he had to consider Parliament;
he was not master himself. He thought that if they were to meet the
requirements of the public as they were anxious to do, they must
proceed in the course in which they were moving at present--with
steadiness and sureness, and not promise things which it was impossible
to fulfil.
The Ex-Postmaster of the House of Commons, Mr. E.W. Pike, is a
Somersetshire man; he was born at Ilchester, and his grandfather was the
last Governor of the Gaol of that town. When Mr. Pike was ten years of
age, his father received an appointment under the act constituting the
new County Court system, and removed to Temple Cloud in the Bristol
district. The family afterwards moved to the adjacent village of
Clutton, and Mr. Pike went there with the other members.
Mr. Pike remembers that the Post Office at Temple Cloud was held by Mrs.
Carter, and after her death John Spear had the office. Mr. Pike's active
service in the Post Office terminated on Wednesday, the 14th September,
1903. His experience in the Post Office was unique, and no wonder that
he felt proud on retiring, that during a service of nearly 46 years he
had given full satisfaction to his superiors in the Post Office, and to
have had the approbation of the Members of the House of Commons
specially expressed to him by the Prime Minister, Mr. A.J. Balfour.
There was no small stir at the public counter of the Bristol Post Office
on the first day of January, 1902, the day of issue of the new 1/2d.,
1d., 2-1/2d., and 6d. postage stamps, bearing the medallion portrait of
King Edward the VIIth. People were very anxious to become possessed of
specimens, and many of the stamps sold were evidently intended to adorn
collector's books. The sales on the 1st January, 1902, were:--1/2d.,
£175; 1d., £500; 2-1/2d., £27 10s.; 6d., £66 9s., and were slightly in
excess of the average. The general public demanded the new kind almost
without exception, but firms took old stamps to the extent of 10 per
cent. of the whole lot supplied.
The Staff of the Bristol Post Office sent an illuminated address to the
King for His Majesty's Coronation Day.
Mrs. Pattie E. Varnam-Coggan, a lady who at the time was Postmistress of
Chipping Sodbury composed the following hymn in connection with the
event.
God save our King!
Up to the sky let loyal voices ring,
Joy to the land this Festal Day shall bring.
Roar guns! and peal O bells!
As loud the anthem swells--
God save our King!
God save our Queen!
A nobler consort ne'er hath England seen!
Bless her pure life with love and peace serene.
Crown her with heavenly grace.
Strength for her royal place--
God save our Queen!
God save our land!
As suppliants now before Thy Throne we stand,
Craving for gifts from Thine all-powerful Hand.
Let none make us afraid,
Foes find us undismayed--
God save our land!
Great King of kings!
Ruler supreme o'er men and earthly things,
Eternal source from which all goodness springs!
Bless Thou the Royal Pair,
Grant them Thy joy to share,
Great King of kings!
God! thanks for peace!
Praised be Thou Who makest war to cease,
O'er all our Empire wide THY reign increase!
Let all men seek for good,
In one blest brotherhood--
God! thanks for peace!
The staff also made elaborate arrangements to take an active part in the
grand procession which had been organized at Bristol to celebrate the
Coronation, but, alas, the procession had to be postponed in consequence
of the King's sudden illness on the 24th June, and finally was abandoned
altogether. The Post Office section, which was to have been honoured
with first place in the procession, was designed to give the Bristol
public some idea of the working of this most useful branch of the public
service. The section was to have been arranged as follows:--Telegraph
Messengers' Drum and Fife Band. Company of Telegraph Messengers, with
Carbines. Telegraph Messengers' Cycle Corps. Company of Postmen. Mail
Carrier Tricycle. Country Mail Cart--present day. Town Mail Van--present
day. London to Bristol Royal Mail Coach of 100 years since, with
Coachman and Guard in Royal livery of the Period. Guard carrying an
ancient Mail Guard's blunderbuss, borrowed from the armoury of Mr.
Rawlins, of Syston Court. Post Office Tableau, illustrative of the
Collecting, Stamping, and Sorting of Letters, and the Despatch of Mail
Bags; also the sending of Telegrams.
[Illustration: ADDRESS TO THE KING.]
The following acknowledgment of the Address was received on the King's
recovery:--
"Home Office, Whitehall, 5 Sept., 1902. Sir,--I am commanded by the
King to convey to you hereby His Majesty's thanks for the Loyal and
Dutiful Address of the Staff of the Postal and Telegraph Services at
Bristol. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. Akers Douglas. The
Surveyor Postmaster, Post Office, Bristol."
The address to His Majesty is here reproduced, and as the sentiments
contained in it represent the writer's wishes for King and Queen, it
may, perhaps, fittingly close the chapters of "The King's Post."
INDEX.
PAGE
Aberystwith, Mail Coach, 77
Addresses, Quaint, 223, 224
African War, P.O. Volunteers, 172
Aldhelm, Bishop, 205
Allen, Col., 48, 49
Allen, Ralph, Cross Posts, 25
" " Honoured, 46, 47
" " Medal, 49, 50
Allen, Richard, P.M.G., 3
Almondsbury, Penny Post, 154
American Mails _via_ Plymouth, 164-167
Anabaptist Opinions, 6
Anderson, James, Bush Inn, 98
" " Lamb Inn, 100
Arlington, Lord, Letters Delayed, 23
Arno's Vale Turnpike, 115
Arrowsmith, Mr. J.W., Publisher, 147
Asher, Mr., Speech, 215
Avon Motor Co., 91
Avonmouth Dock, New, 161
Baptist College, 7
Bear Inn, Devizes, 102
Beaufort, Dukes of, 102, 108
Benevolent Society, P.O., Banquet at Bristol, 199
Bennett, Mr. E., Speech, 215, 218
Birmingham, Coach, 24, 64, 66
" George and Rose Inn, 65
" Rose Inn, 66
Bishop of Bristol, Speech, 202, 206
Bisshopp, Henry, Farmer of Posts, 22
Blatchford, Rev. A.N., Speech, 206
Boar's Head Inn, 64
Botting, Mr., Speech, 214
Brewham, Foot post to, 2
Brightstowe, Plan of, 177
Brighton Coach, 66
Brill, Mail Coach Inspector, 88
Bristol Cathedral, 93
" Copper Co., 12
" Mail Coach robberies, 119-122, 124, 126, 127
" Rejuvenated, 160
" Turnpike Gates, 117
" Water Works Co., 12, 15
Broadmead Chapel Records, 7
Broad Street, 102
Brooks, Thos., & Co., 65
Browne, Letter of year 1671, 6-7
Brunswick, Duke of, at White Lion, 102
Bull and Mouth Inn, London, 72, 73, 87
Burglaries, Post Office, 134-136
Burnett, Mail Coachman, killed, 88, 89
Bush, Mr. J. Paul, C.M.G., in Africa, 173
" " " P.O. Medical Officer, 174
Bush Inn, Bristol, 9, 26, 63, 64, 66, 68, 71, 79, 93,
94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101
Canadian Mail Service, 163
Cann Family, 178-180, 183
Carriers warned, 30
Cathedral, Bristol, 93
"Cavilears" threatening Postmaster Teig, 5
Chamber of Commerce, 163
Chamberlain, Mr. Austen, 75, 76
Chaplin, Coach proprietor, 105
Charles I., 2
Charles II., 4, 8, 192, 193
Chatham, Lord, friend of Allen, 48
Cheltenham Coach, 71
Chichester Mail Coach, 75, 79, 81
Chimney-piece, Old Elton, 191
Chronometer, London Coach, 69
City Chamberlain's account, 1, 2
City Chambers Co., 10
Clevedon Mail Cart accident, 155, 157, 158
Clift, Pratt & Co., 70
Coach accident, Kennet Hill, 34
Coaches, Better equipment wanted, 43
Coach and Horses Inn, Southampton, 66
Coach, Long, Portsmouth, 79
Coachman fined for giving up reins, 88
" Musical, 90
" Warminster, drunk, 84
Coach Service to Bristol, 28, 31, 33
Coggan, Mrs. Varnam, 238
Coin secreted in Parcel, 226
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 107
Colston, Edward, 192
Columbia Stamping Machine, 198
Commons, P.M. of House of, 237
Constantine, Duke, of Russia, Visits the White Lion, 102
Copper Co., Bristol, 12
Cornishman, G.W.R. Train, 148, 149
Corn Street, 1663
Coronation Poem, Mrs. Varnam-Coggan, 239
" Procession projected, 240
Cornwallis Coach, 65, 66
" Admiral, 66
Coutts, Thos., 96
Cranford Bridge, Postboy robbed, 127
Creswick Family, Mansion of, 14
Cross Posts, 24, 41
Crown Inn, Portsmouth, 79
Cumberland, Duke of, 50
Curious Incidents, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231
Dean of Bristol's Signature, 224, 225
Devizes, Bear Inn, 102
Devon Coach, 69
Devonport Mail snowed up, 86
Diligence Mail, 31, 33
Disastrous Gale and the Telegraphs, 3, 159
Ditton, Antony, Marlboro' Mayor, 21
Doddington, Barth., 21
Dolphin Inn, 6-7
" Street, Bristol, 106
Duchess of St. Albans, 96
Duke of Beaufort, Horses burnt, 103
" Brunswick visits White Lion, 102
" Gloster Sloop, 100
Electric Light Fails, 220-222
Elizabeth, Queen, 220-222
" Her Progress, 16, 17
Elton Family, 179, 180, 184, 185, 186, 187
" Mansion, 177, 179-181, 183, 188, 190
Emerald Post Coach, 104
Exchange Avenue, 9, 85
Express Posts, 26
Exquisite Coach, 105
Extension of Post Office, 14
Fairfax, Lord, 3
Feecham, Mail Guard, 86
Fifth Clause Post, 152
Fish, conveyance declined, 70
Fittler, James, Engraver, 51
Flying Machine, Bath, 21
Folwell, Mail Guard, 84
Foot Post, The, 1, 2
Francombe, Mr., Speech, 200, 201
Freeling, Miss Edith, 59, 60
" Sir Francis, Birthplace, 51
" " In London, 53
" " On his mettle, 55
" " Death of his wife, 55
" " His death, 56
" " Obituary notice, 57
" " Relics, 58-60, 79-80
" Sir G.H., 60
Freeman and Brass Co., 10, 11
" Thorough Post, 2
Fylton Hay, The Rodney, 100
" Niblett's Farm, 106
" Open Post, 154
Gascoigne, lays a Post, 18
" Court Postmaster, 19
" Extraordinary Post, 20, 21
George IV., King, 60
George, Philip, Dep. Town Clerk, Bath, 40
Gloucester Mail Coach, 73
Gore, Thomas, of Barrow, 8
Gosport Mail, 61, 80
Grand Hotel, Bristol, 106
Griffiths, Richard, Mail Guard, 89
" " His Post Horn, 90
G.W.R. and P.O. Arbitration, 150
" In construction, 146
" In contemplation, 141
" Night Mail Train, 143
" Service, 147
Hare and Hounds, 88
Harford & Co., Iron Merchants, 12
Harper, Mr. C.G., 111
Hatton Garden Robbery, 133
Hellier, Mr., receives letter in 1663, 6
Henty, G., "The Road", 128
Hereford Coach, 71
Hero, Birmingham Coach, 68
Hicks, James, Roads Clerk, 22
Hill, Rowland, 40
Hobhouse, Lt.-Col., Speech, 213, 214
Holyhead Coach, 65
Hope, Weston Coach, 72
Hopton, Lord, 3
Horne & Sherman, Coach proprietors, 105
Horton Post Office, 152
Huton, William, 1475, 175
Humphries, Mr. Sidney, Speech, 206-210
Hungerford, Sir Hy., 175
Inland Revenue Dept., 13
Jamaica, Bristol Mail Service to, 45, 162
James I., King, 2
Johnston, C., Supt. of Mail Coaches, 67, 84
Joyce, Herbert, C.B., 54
Karstadt, G.F., 141
Kennet Hill, Coach Accident, 34
Kent, Luke, Mail Guard, 81
Kerans, Mr., P.M., Bath, 46
King, Address to the, 241
King of Syria's letter, 211
Knowle Turnpike, 111
"La France" Engine, 147
Lansdown, Mr. F.P., 171
Lavars, Messrs., Lithographers, 107
Lawrence, Sir Thos., 102
Lawford's Gate Turnpike, 116
Letter Woman, 29
Lewis Levy, Turnpike Contractor, 112
Lifeboats and Telegraph, 158
Lloyd's Bank, 101
London and Plymouth, Mail Coach Race, 63
Londonderry, Marquis of, 45, 46, 234, 235, 237
Longleat, Queen Elizabeth at, 17
Louis, Mr., 146
Luce, Thomas, Innkeeper, 103, 105
Maberley, Lt.-Col., 145
"Magnet," Weston Coach, 72
Maidenhead Turnpike Abolished, 118
Mail Coaches, 62
Mail Coaches Exempt from Toll, 111
Mail Coach, First, 27
Mail Coach Robbers Hanged, 123
Mail Coach System, 26
Manchester and Liverpool Railway, 140, 144
Marlborough Post, 31
May, Mr., 39
McAdam, Mr., Roads, 67, 68
Mercury, Light Motor Van, 92
Morley, Arnold, Address to, 232, 234
Motor Cars, 77
Motor Cycle Accident, 219
Motor Van, Avon, 93
Mount Pleasant P.O., London, 74
Moysey, A., 40
Muniment Room, P.O., 169
Musical Coachman, 90
Nash, Bill, Mail Robber, 131
Nevill, Mail Guard, Frozen to Death, 86
New Buildings, 13
Newick, R.C., 130
New London Inn, Exeter, 62
New Passage, Ice Shoals, 85
New Royal Mail Coach, 104
Niblett, Isaac, 106
Niblett, Isaac, Innkeeper, Coach Proprietor, 104, 105
Nobbs, M.J., Mail Guard, 73
Norwich--London Coach, 89
Old Passage, 63, 64
Osborne, John, and Jere, Messrs., 114
Oxford Mail, 67
Packer, the foot post, 2
Pack Horse, Packmen, 21
Palace, Bishop's, 204
Palmer, Col., 49
Palmer, Death of, 44
Palmer, John, Coach system, 27
Palmer, John, honoured, 46, 47
Palmer's Mail Coach system:--
Attacked, 36, 38
Enlarged, 32
Extended, 41
Pitt's approbation, 40
Success, 42
Thanks--Memorials, 39
Troubles, 33
Vindicated, 37, 38
Passengers Coach, Protection of, 34
Paul, J., Mail Coachman, killed, 86
Penny Posts, 153
Pickwick, Moses, Coaching Notice, 132
Pike, E.W., Mr., 237, 238
"Pike" Keepers, 112
Pine, Henry, Postmaster, 9
Pitt, Rt. Hon. W., 39, 40
"Plume of Feathers," Wine Street, 69
Plymouth Coach, 71, 72
"Port Antonio," R.M.S., 161
Porter, George, Innkeeper, 103
"Port Kingston," R.M.S., 162
"Port Royal," R.M.S., 162
Portsmouth Coach overturned, 82
Portsmouth Coaches, 84, 85
Portsmouth, Crown Inn, 79
Portsmouth Mail, 73, 79, 81
Portsmouth Railway, projected, 75, 76
Postages, 21
Postage Stamps, King Edward Issue, 238
Post Boys, 23
Postboy robbed, 80
Post Bridge Turnpike, 81
Posts, Cross, 24
Post, Express, 26
Post, Extraordinary, 19, 20
Post House, 22
Post House, The Bristol, 8, 9
Post, King's Special, 4
Postman's Knock, 228
Postmaster-General, Deputation to, 75, 77
Postmaster-General, Lord Stanley of Alderley, 10
Postmaster Henry Pine, 9
" of Bristol, Speech, 210-213
Post Office Buildings, 14, 15
" All Saints' Lane, 9, 10
" Bristol, 10, 11
Post, Queen Elizabeth's, 17
" Running, 3
" The Foot, 1-2
" Thorough, 2
Pratt, J.J., 40
Prideaux, Master of Posts, 3
Primitive Post Office, 151
Prince and Princess of Wales, 160, 162
Prudent Man's Fund Receipt Note, 231
Quaint Addresses, 223, 224
Randolph, Master of Posts, 18
Ralph Allen, Cross Posts, 21
Redland Post Office, 170
Red Rover Coach, 105
Regent Coach, 68
Registered Letters Stolen, 133
Rennison, Sarah, Stokes Croft Baths, 113
Roads, 21, 23
Robertson, George, Painter, 51
Rocket, Holyhead Coach, 68
Romans, The, 67
Rose Inn, Birmingham, 66
Royal Livery, Coachman and Guard wear, 35
Rummer Tavern, Bristol, 31
Running Post, 3
Salisbury Mail, Late, 38
" Postboy Robbed, 80
Saltford Turnpike, 115
Savage, the foot post, 1
Severn, Ice Shoals, 85
Shamrock, London Coach, 69
"Ship Letters", 153, 167, 168
Shuter, Chris., Councillor, 187
Small Street, Bristol, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 102, 175, 176, 177,
189, 194
Southampton Coach, 65, 67
" Coach and Horses Inn, 66
Sovereign Coach, 72
Sports, P.O., 218
Sproule, Verger, 93
St. Albans, Duchess of, 96
St. Giles' Gate, 175
St. Leonard's Lane, 15, 193
St. Martin's-le-Grand, 37
St. Michael's Hill Turnpike, 117
St. Werburgh, Parish of, 11, 15, 193
Stage Coaches, 22, 24, 25
Stanley, Lord, _Frontispiece_
" in Africa, 173
" of Alderley, 10
Statistics--Bristol P.O., 163
Stealing Letters, Capital Offence, 121
Stokes Croft Turnpike, 114
Stop Gate, Horfield, 117
Streamer, Richard, 1680, 178
Stretch, Matthew, Bush Inn, 98
Swan Inn, 31, 66
Swan with Two Necks Inn, London, 31
Symons, Thomas, 42
Teig or Teague, Anabaptist Postmaster, in peril, 4, 5, 6, 7
Telegraphs, Lifeboats, and Gales, 159
Telephones, Trunk P.O., 195, 196, 197
Thatched Post Office, 152
Thornbury, Fifth Clause Post, 154
Thorough Post, 2
Three Tuns, Bath, 31, 41
Terrill, Mr., letter of, 1671, 7
Tewkesbury, 71
Time Bill, Old Portsmouth, 82
Tipsy M.P., 91
Todd, Anthony, 30, 35, 36, 38, 128
Tokens, Mail Coach, 51
Toll Gates, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116
Townsend, John--Charles, Bush Inn, 98
Tracks Unenclosed, 2
Traveller, Exeter Coach, 70
Turner, Mail Coachman, killed, 87
Turnpike Trusts, 110, 111, 112
Turpin and Langdon, Book Binders, 11
Tyndale, William, 152
Tyson, Mayor, 1660, 6
Uniform, Royal, introduced, 31
Union Post Coach, 63, 64
Value of Tolls, 114
Vidler, Mr., Mail Contractor, 54, 55
Waggons, Quaint, 25
Water Works Company, Bristol, 12
Water Works Premises, 177, 190
Weaver, Hon. John, 4
Weeks, John, 26, 79, 93
" Boniface, 94
" Coach Monopoly, 99
" Mural Tablet, 92
" Sloop Master, 100
Weeks, Poston & Co., 104
Wellington, Som., 1
Werburgh, St., Parish, 11, 15
Westbury-on-Trym P.O. burgled, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140
Westons, Mail Robbers, 129, 130
Whitchurch Turnpike, 115
White Hart Inn, Bristol, 63, 64, 80, 103, 104, 107
White Horse Cellars, London, 72
White Lion, Bristol, 73, 85, 101, 102, 103, 104, 107
White's, Mr. Stanley, Coach, 108
" Motor Car, 108
Wimborne Minster, 1
Wilton, Queen Elizabeth at, 17, 21
Withering, Thomas, 3
Wood's Office, Bristol, 66
Young, John, Knighted, 16
W.C. HEMMONS, ST. STEPHEN STREET, BRISTOL.