troyed so that the total quantity of 10d stamps issued was 141,000.

A double-transfer variety of this denomination is described by Mr. Howes
as follows:--

In this case we find the letters A D A and S of "Canada Postage",
and P E N of "Pence"' showing a distinct doubling at the bottom,
the transfer roller having been set a little too high at first and
a very slight impression made on the plate. The stamp has not been
seen in a pair to prove its character absolutely, but it bears all
the ear-marks of being a proper plate variety and not due to a
careless impression when printing.

The Postmaster General's report dated Sept. 30th, 1857, refers to the
many benefits accruing to both the Department and the public by the
increased use of postage stamps in the prepayment of postal charges and
also mentions the issue of two new denominations, viz:--

There is a very material economy of labor to the Department in
dealing with letters prepaid by stamp as compared with letters on
which the postage is collected in money, as well as a manifest gain
to the public, in the increased facilities which prepayment by
stamp enables the Post Office to afford for posting and delivering
letters so prepaid.

It is gratifying, therefore, to observe that the use of stamps is
gradually gaining ground, encouraging as it does the hope that it
may be found practicable and expedient ere long to make prepayment
by stamp the prevailing rule in Canada, as it has for sometime been
in, the United Kingdom, in France, and in the United States.

A reduction in the charge of Book Post Packets when not exceeding 4
oz. in weight, between Canada and the United Kingdom of one-half
the former rate has been made.

To facilitate the prepayment of letters passing from Canada to
England by the Canadian steamers, a new stamp bearing value of 6
pence sterling, or 7-1/2 pence currency, being the Canadian Packet
rate, has been secured and put in circulation.

A new stamp has also been introduced of the value of one halfpenny
to serve as the medium for prepaying transient Newspapers.

Moreover, the Department has been led, by the increasing use of
Postage Stamps, to take measures for obtaining the Canadian Postage
Stamps in sheets perforated in the dividing lines, in the manner
adopted in England, to facilitate