[2] Since publishing my evidence specifically proving what is here
stated, I have been favoured with the following letter:--
"BRECHIN,
_9th October, 1883_
"DEAR SIR,
"When I penned my anonymous note to the _Dundee Advertiser_ in
August, 1879, expressing the hope that there might be still
living some who could corroborate my statement that the late
Mr. Chalmers was the inventor of the 'Adhesive Stamp,' I hardly
expected it would be followed by such an amount of
corroboration.
"With regard to the _date_ of the invention, you appear to have
received ample proof, and I am able to add thereto. It was in
the autumn of 1834 that I left Dundee to reside here, and the
Stamp was in existence in Mr. Chalmers' premises before I left.
"I may add that when I wrote in 1879, I was not aware of the
existence of a son of Mr. C. My sole object in writing was that
_Dundee_ might claim and receive the honour of being the place
of birth of the 'Adhesive Stamp.'
"I am, &c.,
"(_Signed_) DAVID PRAIN.
"P. CHALMERS, Esq.,
"Wimbledon."
A Portrait of Mr. Prain, by the talented Scottish artist, Mr. Irvine,
subscribed for by Mr. Prain's fellow-townsmen and former pupils, has
just been presented in his honour to the Mechanic's Institute of
Brechin. The proceedings upon this occasion, including the able speeches
of Provost Lamb and of Mr. Prain, will be found in the _Brechin
Advertiser_ of 16th June, 1885. On a former occasion Mr. Prain was
presented with a Service of Plate and Testimonial to the value of
several hundred pounds, subscribed for by former pupils at home and
abroad. It is at the testimony of such men as this, including the late
Mr. William Thorns, of Dundee, that my opponents sneer as being "the
mere wandering fancies of a few old men!" The general testimony is that
of an entire locality.
[3] An interesting obituary of Mr. Roberts, lately deceased, will be
found in the "_Times_" of 30th September, 1885. Mr. Roberts is there
recognised as the pioneer of postal reform and originator of the
proposal of a low and uniform postage.