usiness.

[Illustration: THE BRISTOL POST OFFICE, 1750-1868.]

In 1700 the first actual Post Office was built. It was erected in All
Saints' Lane, and was held by one Henry Pine, as Postmaster. This Post
Office served the city's purpose until 1742, when the site was required
in connection with the building of the Exchange, and the Post Office was
transferred to Small Street. In September of that year (1742), an
advertisement describes the best boarding school for boys in Bristol as
being kept in Small Street by Mr. John Jones, in rooms "over the
Post-house." What kind of building this was is uncertain, as there is no
picture of it obtainable. Indeed, the first traceable illustration of a
Bristol Post Office is the engraving, a copy of which is here
reproduced, depicting the building erected in 1750, at the corner of the
Exchange Avenue as it appeared in 1805, when it was described as "a
handsome freestone building, situated on the west side of the Exchange,
to which it forms a side wing, projecting some feet forward in the
street; on the east side being another building answerable thereto."
These premises served as the Post Office for the long period of 118
years.

The first half of the present Bristol Post Office premises in Small
Street was occupied by Messrs. Freeman and Brass and Copper Company.

As a matter of history, a copy of the abstract of conveyance may,
perhaps, be fittingly introduced. It sets forth the particulars of the
uses to which the site was originally put before taken by the Post
Office.

"21st December, 1865.--By Indenture between the Bristol City Chambers
Company, Limited, (thereinafter called the Company) of the one part, and
the Right Honourable Edward John Lord Stanley of Alderley, Her Majesty's
Postmaster General for the time being, of the other part

"It is witnessed that in consideration of L8,000 paid by the said
Postmaster General to the said Company the said Company did thereby
grant and convey unto Her Majesty's Postmaster General his successors
and assigns--

"Firstly All that plot piece or parcel of ground situate in the Parish
of St.-Werburgh in the City of Bristol on the South West side of and
fronting to Small Street aforesaid specified in the plan drawn in the
margin of the first Skin of abstracting Indenture said piece of land
being therein distinguished by an edging of red color which said plot of
ground formed the site of a certain messuage warehouses and buildings
rece