In the year 1635, Charles I. directed his postmaster to open a
communication between London and Edinburgh, &c. &c. In 1653-4, the
revenues of the Post-office were farmed by the Council of State and
Protector, at 10,000_l._ per annum. Some idea of their progressive
increase may be gained by the perusal of the following:--
1664 £21,000
1674 43,000
1685 65,000
1688 76,318
1697 90,505
1710 111,467
1715 145,227
1744 235,492
1775 345,321
1785 463,753
1793 607,268
1814 2,005,987
Since 1814, Mr. Macculloch considers the revenue of the Post-office to
have been about stationary.