is order are:--

Postage Stamps are about to be issued, one representing the Beaver,
of the denomination of Three pence; the second representing the
head of Prince Albert, of the denomination of Six pence; and the
third, representing the head of Her Majesty, of the denomination of
One shilling; which will shortly be transmitted to the Post Masters
at important points, for sale.

Any Letter or Packet, with one or more Stamps affixed, equal in
amount to the Postage properly chargeable thereon, may be mailed
and forwarded from any office as a prepaid Letter or Packet; but if
the Stamps affixed be not adequate to the proper Postage, the Post
Master receiving the Letter or Packet for transmission will rate it
with the amount deficient in addition. This Regulation concerning
Letters short paid has reference only to Letters passing within the
Province.

Stamps so affixed are to be immediately _cancelled_ in the office
in which the Letter or Packet may be deposited, with an instrument
to be furnished for that purpose. In Post Offices not so furnished,
the stamps must be cancelled by making a cross (X) on each with a
pen. If the cancelling has been omitted on the mailing of the
Letter, the Post Master delivering it will cancel the stamp in the
manner directed, and immediately report the Post Master who may
have been delinquent, to the Department. Bear in mind that Stamps
must invariably be cancelled before mailing the Letters to which
they are affixed.

It is rather interesting to note that the series comprised only three
values, though the postal rates, as shown in the Notice quoted above,
and further amplified in a lengthy set of "Regulations and Instructions"
called for numerous rates of 1/2d and 1d as well as 7-1/2d so that it
certainly seems strange that no provision was made for stamps by means
of which such rates could be prepaid.

The beaver is typical of Canada, for the prosperity of the Colony is
largely founded on this animal, whose skin has been a valuable article
of commerce since the days of the early trappers in the land of the
maple tree. The choice of a beaver as the central theme of the design of
Canada's first stamp--the 3d value--is, therefore, particularly
appropriate. The stamp is rectangular in shape and the centrepiece is
enclosed within a transverse oval band inscribed "CANADA POST