Page 178 - Reading Mercury

Sat 2nd May
PENNY POSTAGE
National Tribute to Rowland Hill Esq.
We rejoice to find that a Penny Subscription is commenced in aid of a national
tribute to Rowland Hill, Esq., the founder of the penny postage. This being one of the
few new systems from which ALL derive equal benefit, we hope that all will
contribute their pence to the fund in order that Mr. Hill may have some substantial
proof of the gratitude of the people for his great exertions for founding and carrying
into effect this highly beneficial measure.

th
Sat 16 May
REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS OF NAPOLEON
The following are the remarks of the Courrier François on the ministerial proposal
to bring home to France the remains of Napoleon:--“In restoring the remains of
Napoleon to France, the last wish of that great man is accomplished. The King has
charged his son with the pious task. The Prince of Joinville will receive from the
hands of England the precious deposit. The old companions of the Emperor’s exile,
Gourgaud, Bertrand, and Las Cases, will accompany him. A million of francs, voted
by the Chamber, will raise up a tomb beneath the vaults of the Invalids. It was on the
th
5 of May, the anniversary of his death, that the French government ordered its
ambassador at London to claim the ashes of Napoleon. Ere ten days had elapsed, M.
Thiers learned by an official despatch from Lord Palmerston that England, without
hesitating, and with generous haste, was ready to meet the wish of France. The
minister read this despatch at the tribune, and it does the greatest honour to the
government which dictated it.
The British cabinet hopes that the remains of that national hatred which so long
divided France and England may be buried in the tomb of Napoleon. This noble wish
shall not be disappointed. England and France have the one destiny to fulfil—no other
than the advancement of civilization. Their discord must henceforth be a calamity to
Europe, and a crime in whosoever would assume the responsibility of such a breach.
The ministry may be proud of this great act of reparation.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
General Post Office, 7th May, 1840
In those cases where Adhesive Stamps are used, it is requested that they may be
placed on the Front of the Letter, and upon the right hand corner on the upper side.
Should this direction not be attended to, from the rapidity with which the duty must be
performed, Letters which bear Stamps will frequently be taxed, while the Parties
receiving them will be put to much trouble in obtaining a return of the Postage
improperly charged. In all cases of complaint, whether of overcharge or of any other
irregularity, the cover of the Letters must invariably be kept and sent to the Post
Office, as affording the only means of investigating the complaint.
By Command, W. L. MABERLY, Secretary

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL POSTMASTERS
rd
GENERAL POST OFFICE, 28 of April, 1840
th
The Lords of the Treasury having fixed the 6 of May next for the issue of Postage
Stamps; on and after that day, all Letters written on Stamped Paper or enclosed in
Stamped Covers, or having Stamps affixed to them, the Stamps in every such case
being equal in Value or Amount to the rates of Postage now chargeable on such

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