jesty's Service!

The phrase "guileless Ministers" in the speech of a former Prime
Minister on the fiscal question (1903) became in course of telegraphing
"guileless monsters," and so reached the Bristol press. Fortunately, the
newspaper proof readers were wide awake, and the error was corrected in
time.

Correspondents have a peculiar idea of the functions devolving on a
postmaster, as the following letters will indicate, viz.:--

"Brighton, March 13th, 1904. To the Postmaster; Sir,--Would you have
pleased to try and get me a small tin of very light coloured dry snuff
(I think it is called Lundifoot) from one of the leading tobacconists in
Bristol. If you will let me know the amount thereof I will send you the
money for the same before you send it. I am, Yours, etc., J.S.A.

"Scarborough, 6th August, 1904; Sir,--Would you please be good enough to
let me know by return, whether the nightingale is in song in Clifton
Woods at the present time. Thanking you in anticipation, and apologising
for troubling you. Believe me, Yours truly, (Sd.) (Mrs.) F.F."

"Cardiff, April 29th, 1902. Sir,--May I ask you the favour to hand over
the enclosed Bristol Blister to the chemist who sells it in your town,
when some person of your office passes the shop. I received considerable
benefit from the blister. I shall be very much obliged to you and the
chemist if he will be so good to let me know how he sells them. I am,
Yours truly, (Sd.) T.B."

[Illustration: FACSIMILE OF A RECEIPT FOR L20 GIVEN BY THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRISTOL PRUDENT MAN'S FUND SUBMITTED FOR PAYMENT 78 YEARS AFTER
ISSUE.]

Not only are the articles themselves of a diversified character that
pass through the parcel post, but the mode of packing often produces a
certain amount of dubiousness in the minds of the Parcel Department
officials as to which is really the "Right side up," and how to handle
the packages. The sender of a rabbit, however; left no doubt on the
matter, as he had arranged poor defunct "Bunny" in such a way that its
head was securely tied between its hind legs, and the latter formed a
convenient handle, the front legs being tucked under the neck, and the
rabbit presenting the appearance of a ball. Another incident was of
rather an amusing character. The "tie-on" labels had become detached
from two packages which reached Bristol. A label which properly belonged
to a bottle of cough medicine was attached in the Returned Letter Office
to an old slipp