This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXV. JUBILATION. The Post-Office, inexhaustible at the desk or on the field of duty, has not always been disposed towards collective festivity. The cause may not be very far to seek. Having given to the service of the commonwealth the best of the day, its members not unreasonably fly away to their homes to make the best of the night. So it fell out that the several branches of the PostOffice pursued for many a long year the even tenor of their way, without so much as a thought of jubilation in respect to official toil. The chief clerks had other things to think of; the juniors neither the cash nor the power. However, a change was at hand. The cheers of the million which had saluted the jubilee of her Majesty Queen Victoria were yet in the ears of the people, when the Post-Office became aware that the fiftieth year of penny postage verged on completion. It resolved to celebrate the occasion, and lost no time in appointing a committee and making preparations. The first step was to roll together in the office itself a large guarantee fund. Next, before buckling on the harness of festive organization in earnest, 250 of its principal people struck out the novel design of dining together. That dinner has its memorable recollections. It took place as near to the semi-centenary of penny postage as could be arranged. Amongst the guests there was one who already filled high office when the penny became the Shibboleth of progress--Sir John Tilley, K.C.B.; near him sat the son of the Eeformer, and over against him a nephew of Sir Eowland, who has done more for the Office than the public are aware of--Mr. Edward Bernard Lewin Hill. This first act of jubilation has, too, its sorrowful associations. The guests of the past look in vain for the...