lished:--

Not exceeding 5 miles 1 silver groschen
From 5 miles to 10 miles 1-1/2 "
" 10 " 15 " 2 "
" 15 " 20 " 2-1/2 "
" 20 " 30 " 3 "
" 30 " 50 " 4 "
" 50 " 100 " 5 "
For each further 100 miles within the
Prussian administration 6 "

These rates were applied to letters, printed matter sent under band, and
letters containing samples of merchandise. It was estimated that this
change would reduce the gross receipts from postage by 700,000 thalers,
and the net revenue for 1845 was estimated at 700,000 thalers instead of
1,400,000 thalers. The actual decrease in 1845 in the gross receipts
from postage was, however, only 302,563 thalers, and the actual falling
off in net revenue only 346,208 thalers. The gross revenue soon
recovered, and in 1847 exceeded that of 1844.[238]

The Prussian administration, while not prepared to introduce complete
uniformity of rate irrespective of distance, were yet desirous of
simplifying the rates, and of removing from them any trace of the fiscal
tradition, so far as this course could be followed without involving
serious sacrifice of net revenue.[239]

In September 1848 the distinction between the letter rate and the rate
for printed matter and documents was abolished, and on the 1st October
1848 the following scale of weights for all letters, publications, etc.,
was introduced, viz.:--

Not exceeding 3/8 oz. 1 rate (i.e. 1 sgr.)
From 3/8 oz. to 1/2 oz. 1-1/2 "
" 1/2 " 3/4 " 2 rates
" 3/4 " 1 " 2-1/2 "
" 1 " 4 " 3 "
" 4 " 8 " 4 "

and over 8 ounces 4 rates, until the charge was less than double parcel
rate.

The rates were still based on the old theory of distance. The Prussian
administration feared that a complete reform of the rates on the
English model would have a disastrous effect on the postal revenue, and
so upset the equilibrium of the State finance. They had, of course, the
experience of England to guide them, and they had not failed to note the
large reduction of net revenue which the adoption of the reform of 1840
had entailed. In the following year, however, a great step was taken in
the direction o