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Article SUNDAY AT OUR POST OFFICES. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE LATE BRO. DAVID SMITH, M.P. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sunday At Our Post Offices.
some object which shall fitly commemorate the event , and substantially benefit the community . In connection with this remarkable occurrence I should like to appeal to every person in the kingdom on behalf of the vast army of post-office employes throughout the province , whose onerous duties
deprive them of the day of rest . I feel sure that all thoughtful and cousiderate people will agree with me that the time has arrived when the performance of unnecessary Sunday duty at the Post Offices may be altogether dispensed with . Just fifty years will have expired next year since Dr . Wheat stone
invented the Electric Telegraph system , which now spreads itself like a network over all the land , reaohing every town and almost every village , and whioh enables ns to have instant communication with each other in any part of the British Isles for the small fee of sixpence .
Three years after Her Majesty ' s accession , and two years after her coronation , viz . in 1840 , Mr . Rowland Hill succeded in obtaining Parliamentary sanction to the introduction of his penny postage system , which has conferred inestimable advantages and blessings upon tbe country at large . In 1855 , the repeal of what has been called the
" Taxes on Knowledge , " viz .: the Newspaper Stamp , the Advertise , ment Duty , and the Excise dnty on paper , was brought about through the exertions of Mr . Thomas Milner Gibson , at that time tbe colleague of Mr . John Bright in the representation of this city . Since 1870 we have been enabled to send postcards , circulars , and
newspapers , at tbe cost of a halfpenny . The Money Order and Postal Order systems , the Annuity system , the post office Savings Bank , the Registered Letter Department , and the Parcels Post have all been established daring the reign of Queen Victoria .
It is remarkable that in the faoe of all the Post Office reforms which have been instituted within the last fifty years , there still exists a custom nnwortby of tbe present age of progress—viz .: the practioe of employing in the provincial Post Offices large numbers of men and women in the performance of Sunday duties , whioh are
regarded as unnecessary , and never have been performed in tbe Metropolis . Although London is the most populous , and the greatest commercial city in the world , there has never been a Sunday delivery of letters there .
If the 4 , 000 , 000 residents in the metropolis , and the thousands of visitors and strangers , who are always to be found there , can with * out inconvenience dispense with the receipt and despatch of letters on Sundays , can there be any legitimate reason why the provinces should not be placed upon the same footing p
The question was argued in the Honse of Commons 36 years ago , and by a large majority it was resolved to abolish Sunday labour at all provincial Post Offices . An agitation was afterwards got np against this reform , and Lord John Russell , then at the head of the
Government , yielded to the pressure thus brought to bear . But whatever arguments might be used then as to the inconvenience of the public in cases of emergency , they have no force to-day . We have , as I have said , facilities for communicating by telegraph , whioh did not then exist .
Again , commercial travellers who , in consequence of the deerness and slowness of railway travelling 36 years ago , were obliged to remain " on circuit" over the week end , are able to reach home on Saturday , at small cost , and in a very short time . Since , therefore , they now spend their Sundays at home with their families they have
no longer any need for the Sunday poBt . At the time I speak of , many merchants lived in the towns , on or near their business premises . Now they live in the suburbs , or in country places , and do not care to have letters delivered on Sundays . In many instances the Post Office authorities are requested not to
deliver on that day . In other cases , where letters are taken out by the letter carriers on Sunday , they cannot be delivered for the reason that many people are absent from their houses , and also that places of business are closed . The number of people employed at the Post Offices of the United
Kingdom IB close upon 100 , 000 , a very large proportion of whom are employed during the Sunday in doing work which I am sure can be dispensed with . A little consideration for these useful and industrious public servants , and a small personal sacrifice on the part of the public
would lead to the total abolition of Sunday labour at the Post Office , excepting in the Telegraph Department , and even this would be reduced , as the inclination to send telegrams is very frequently occasioned by the receipt of business letters .
If the jubilee year of the reign of the Queen should be signalized by the legislative prohibition of Sunday deliveries and despatches of letters it will ever be memorable as being associated with a most beneficent and much needed reform .
Shonld any excuse be needed for this public appeal from one not immediately interested in the Post Office , it will be found in the fact that by the regulations of the Department , letter carriers and others are forbidden to agitate for any cessation or reduction of Sunday labour .
Yours faithfully , ELLIS LEVER , F . S . S . Manchester , lOfch Nov ., 1886 .
On Monday , at the Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction , No . 1445 , held at 202 Whitechapel-road , E ., near the London Hospital , Bro . W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 , will deliver a Lecture "On the Schism in English Freemasonry . " Lodge will be opened at seven o ' clock , and Craftsmen are cordially invited to attend .
The Late Bro. David Smith, M.P.
THE LATE BRO . DAVID SMITH , M . P .
HpHE remains of the Member for Brighton , Alderman David Scnith , -L J . P ., were on Monday afternoon , the 8 th inst ., laid to reit in the Brighton Paroohial Cemetery amidst tokens of grief that were really impressive , and with many affectiug marks of the deep and heartfelt sympathy that is felt throughout the town for his widow , so sadly and so suddenly bereaved . The cortege , consisting of a car
and six coaches , followed by thirty-three private carriages , left the deceased ' s late residence in Aruodel-terrace at half-past twelve , making its way by the Marine-parade , the Old Steine , Grand-parade , to St . Peter ' s Church , where tho representatives of th ^ Corporation and other public bodies , the Freemasons , Druids , Odd Fellows , and
Foresters , with a large contingent of the members of the local Con . aervative Associations and Primrose League , had already assembled . At the entrance the body was met by the officiating clergy , the Yen . Archdeacon Hannah ( Vicar of Brighton ) , and the Rev . W . Cifford Aston ( Incumbent of St . George ' s , Brighton ) , at which church the
deceased was a regular attendant , with whom were two of the Curates of St . Peter ' s ( the Rev . W . W . Kelly and the Rev . W . G . Deighton ) , and the churchwardens ( Messrs . Bennett and Baker ) , bearing the wands of office . Pr ceded by tbe churchwardens and tha olergy , the coffin was borne slowly up the nave , the wholo assembly
standing , and many heads being bowed while the Arohd -aeon re id , in firm tones , the beautiful sentenced of the Burial Service . After the words " The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the Name of the Lord , had been reached , there came pealing plain * lively from the organ ( at which Mr . Alfred King . Mas . Baa ,
presided ) the beautiful air from Handera " Messiah , " I knovv that my Redeemer livetb , " the solemn strains of whioh contiuned until the coffin had been placed on a temporary bier which stood just in front of the entrance to the chancel . The coffin was compje'ely overed with floral devices and wreaths of the most ornate
description , the cards appended containing in many instances expressions of sympathy for the deceased Alderman's surviving relatives . When the mourners were seated the Ven . Archdeacon Hannah gave out the hymn , most appropriate at this point of the ceremonial , " For ever with tbe Lord . " At the request of the family , the service was not
fully choral , the Psalm being read . This part of the service was taken by the Rev . J . J . Hannah , Vioar of St . Nicholas , alternate verses being read by the congregation . The Ven . Archdeacon read the lesson , and the well-known hymn , " Now tbe labourer ' s task is o'er , " was sung . The service was supplemented by a few prayers
taken from that portion of the service nsnally said at the [» nive , commencing with the Lord ' B Prayer . As the coffin was being borne down the nave , Mr . Alfred King played the beantiful air from Mendelssohn ' s " Elijah , " " O , rest in the Lord , " both the pelections which he performed being given at the express desire of the deceased's family .
Tbe bells also rung out a muffled peal . There was an imme-ise on . course of people ouiside the church , bnt perfect order prevuiled as ihe long procession was marshalled , aB follows : —Draids , Foresters , Odd Fellows , Conservative Association , Freemasons , H > rr > ngh Magistrate " , Mayor and Corporation , funeral car , mourning carriages , private carriages . The six mourning carriages were thus occupied : —
First Carringe . —Mrs . David Smith ( widow ) , Mr . Divil Thomson Smith ( nephew ) , Mrs . Henry Moor ( cousin ) , and Mr . Riohanlsm ( cousin ) . Second Carriage . —Miss Richardson ( cousin ) , Mrs . S . nyth •¦ , Mr . Pocock ( medical man ) , Mr . Taylor , and Rev . H . A . Barclay .
Third Carriage . —Sir Heury Fletcher , Bart ., M . P ., Admiral FiVId , M . P ., Mr . M . D . Scott , and Sir Albert Woods ( G » rt-r King-at-Arms , Grand Director of Ceremonies , and P . M . of Lodge No . 46 ) . Fourth Carriage . —Dr . Tinrlal Robertson , Mr . W . Peroival Boxall , Mr . J . H . Lermitte , and Colonel Verrall .
Fifth Carriage . —Rev . W . E . A . Young , Captain Kirby , Major Boxall , and Mr . Cnndy . Sixth Carriage . —Mr . Wollaston , Mr . Patman , Mr . T . Billiug , and Mr . Beard . The private carriages included those of the following ladiui and
gentlemen : —The Ri ^ ht Hon . W . T . Marriott . Q . C ., M . P ., Mr . G . W . Willett , of West House , Portlaud . place , Mr . Gr * y , Mr . Lermitte , Sir Albert Sassoon , Mr . W . L . Winaus , Mr . T . . UL Neviil , Mr . R . Simpson , Major Addison , Dr . Scatelifl ' , Mr . Kempsou , Colonel Sfda I . Mr . Munster ( Mr . Mnnetor being represented . , by Mr . M . R ,
Brandreth ) , Alnermau Hallett , D . L ., Mrs . Lloyd ; Mr . J . Mnrtm ( Beechwond ) , Mr . Bowering , Mr . Lawr-uce Peel , tbe B . ir . m G . de Worms , Mrs . Burrell , Mr . F . T . Fisher , Dr . Fisher , AI . ler . nan Cox , Dr . Tindal Robertson , Colonel Hansard , Mrs . Wood in , the M » yor ( Alderman E . J . Reeves ) , Mr . M . D . Scott , Mr . J . P . Patnvin ) , Mr .
Wells-Dymoke , Mrs . Hudson ( Queen' . * . mad ) , Mr . Chander , Gem-ril Gascoyne , and Mr . Elger . In the procession were , amongst others , the following Freemasons : —Bros . V . P . Freeman , B . Burfield , U . S . Godfree , B . Limas , E . S . Whittle , C . Nye , H . S- Gates , H . Nye , T . Rose , J . Webster , J . S . R . Bays , O . Emblin , T . -Chandler , H . Cneal .
J . J . Abel , T . Nye , C . Vaughan , S . Solomons , F . H . Willm .-r , J . Martin , G . de Paris , G . Cole , F . Hayller , W . Marchant , J . F . Eyles . S . T . Foat , C . J . Carter , M . Leleu , C . J . Reed , Rev . W . A . Tooth , F . Hollands , W . Mitchell , S . Deuman , J . Flinn , T . Hughes , J . Harrison , W . R . Wood , W . T . Nell , R . J . Rogers . Others present included tho
Mayor of Lewes ( Alderman J . Farncombe ) , the Revs . T . Peacey ( Vicar of Hove ) , E . L . Roxby , R . I . Salmon , W . A . Tooth , and Dan Winham , Bro . C . Gervaise Boxall Past Grand Steward and W . M . of Lodge No . 46 ( representing , with Sir Albert Woods , the Grand Lodge of England and the mother Lodge of tbe deceased ) , Mr . Dennant
( Brighton and Sussex Natural History and Philosophical Socinty ) , Lieutenant Hailey ( Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade ) , Mr . G . S . Godfree , Mr . A . Habens , and Mr . Marchant . The Right Hon . W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., wa 3 unable to be present . On arriving at the cemetery the procession proceeded to the church , and then the coffiu , of polished oak with brass fittings , with large handsome inscription
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sunday At Our Post Offices.
some object which shall fitly commemorate the event , and substantially benefit the community . In connection with this remarkable occurrence I should like to appeal to every person in the kingdom on behalf of the vast army of post-office employes throughout the province , whose onerous duties
deprive them of the day of rest . I feel sure that all thoughtful and cousiderate people will agree with me that the time has arrived when the performance of unnecessary Sunday duty at the Post Offices may be altogether dispensed with . Just fifty years will have expired next year since Dr . Wheat stone
invented the Electric Telegraph system , which now spreads itself like a network over all the land , reaohing every town and almost every village , and whioh enables ns to have instant communication with each other in any part of the British Isles for the small fee of sixpence .
Three years after Her Majesty ' s accession , and two years after her coronation , viz . in 1840 , Mr . Rowland Hill succeded in obtaining Parliamentary sanction to the introduction of his penny postage system , which has conferred inestimable advantages and blessings upon tbe country at large . In 1855 , the repeal of what has been called the
" Taxes on Knowledge , " viz .: the Newspaper Stamp , the Advertise , ment Duty , and the Excise dnty on paper , was brought about through the exertions of Mr . Thomas Milner Gibson , at that time tbe colleague of Mr . John Bright in the representation of this city . Since 1870 we have been enabled to send postcards , circulars , and
newspapers , at tbe cost of a halfpenny . The Money Order and Postal Order systems , the Annuity system , the post office Savings Bank , the Registered Letter Department , and the Parcels Post have all been established daring the reign of Queen Victoria .
It is remarkable that in the faoe of all the Post Office reforms which have been instituted within the last fifty years , there still exists a custom nnwortby of tbe present age of progress—viz .: the practioe of employing in the provincial Post Offices large numbers of men and women in the performance of Sunday duties , whioh are
regarded as unnecessary , and never have been performed in tbe Metropolis . Although London is the most populous , and the greatest commercial city in the world , there has never been a Sunday delivery of letters there .
If the 4 , 000 , 000 residents in the metropolis , and the thousands of visitors and strangers , who are always to be found there , can with * out inconvenience dispense with the receipt and despatch of letters on Sundays , can there be any legitimate reason why the provinces should not be placed upon the same footing p
The question was argued in the Honse of Commons 36 years ago , and by a large majority it was resolved to abolish Sunday labour at all provincial Post Offices . An agitation was afterwards got np against this reform , and Lord John Russell , then at the head of the
Government , yielded to the pressure thus brought to bear . But whatever arguments might be used then as to the inconvenience of the public in cases of emergency , they have no force to-day . We have , as I have said , facilities for communicating by telegraph , whioh did not then exist .
Again , commercial travellers who , in consequence of the deerness and slowness of railway travelling 36 years ago , were obliged to remain " on circuit" over the week end , are able to reach home on Saturday , at small cost , and in a very short time . Since , therefore , they now spend their Sundays at home with their families they have
no longer any need for the Sunday poBt . At the time I speak of , many merchants lived in the towns , on or near their business premises . Now they live in the suburbs , or in country places , and do not care to have letters delivered on Sundays . In many instances the Post Office authorities are requested not to
deliver on that day . In other cases , where letters are taken out by the letter carriers on Sunday , they cannot be delivered for the reason that many people are absent from their houses , and also that places of business are closed . The number of people employed at the Post Offices of the United
Kingdom IB close upon 100 , 000 , a very large proportion of whom are employed during the Sunday in doing work which I am sure can be dispensed with . A little consideration for these useful and industrious public servants , and a small personal sacrifice on the part of the public
would lead to the total abolition of Sunday labour at the Post Office , excepting in the Telegraph Department , and even this would be reduced , as the inclination to send telegrams is very frequently occasioned by the receipt of business letters .
If the jubilee year of the reign of the Queen should be signalized by the legislative prohibition of Sunday deliveries and despatches of letters it will ever be memorable as being associated with a most beneficent and much needed reform .
Shonld any excuse be needed for this public appeal from one not immediately interested in the Post Office , it will be found in the fact that by the regulations of the Department , letter carriers and others are forbidden to agitate for any cessation or reduction of Sunday labour .
Yours faithfully , ELLIS LEVER , F . S . S . Manchester , lOfch Nov ., 1886 .
On Monday , at the Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction , No . 1445 , held at 202 Whitechapel-road , E ., near the London Hospital , Bro . W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 , will deliver a Lecture "On the Schism in English Freemasonry . " Lodge will be opened at seven o ' clock , and Craftsmen are cordially invited to attend .
The Late Bro. David Smith, M.P.
THE LATE BRO . DAVID SMITH , M . P .
HpHE remains of the Member for Brighton , Alderman David Scnith , -L J . P ., were on Monday afternoon , the 8 th inst ., laid to reit in the Brighton Paroohial Cemetery amidst tokens of grief that were really impressive , and with many affectiug marks of the deep and heartfelt sympathy that is felt throughout the town for his widow , so sadly and so suddenly bereaved . The cortege , consisting of a car
and six coaches , followed by thirty-three private carriages , left the deceased ' s late residence in Aruodel-terrace at half-past twelve , making its way by the Marine-parade , the Old Steine , Grand-parade , to St . Peter ' s Church , where tho representatives of th ^ Corporation and other public bodies , the Freemasons , Druids , Odd Fellows , and
Foresters , with a large contingent of the members of the local Con . aervative Associations and Primrose League , had already assembled . At the entrance the body was met by the officiating clergy , the Yen . Archdeacon Hannah ( Vicar of Brighton ) , and the Rev . W . Cifford Aston ( Incumbent of St . George ' s , Brighton ) , at which church the
deceased was a regular attendant , with whom were two of the Curates of St . Peter ' s ( the Rev . W . W . Kelly and the Rev . W . G . Deighton ) , and the churchwardens ( Messrs . Bennett and Baker ) , bearing the wands of office . Pr ceded by tbe churchwardens and tha olergy , the coffin was borne slowly up the nave , the wholo assembly
standing , and many heads being bowed while the Arohd -aeon re id , in firm tones , the beautiful sentenced of the Burial Service . After the words " The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the Name of the Lord , had been reached , there came pealing plain * lively from the organ ( at which Mr . Alfred King . Mas . Baa ,
presided ) the beautiful air from Handera " Messiah , " I knovv that my Redeemer livetb , " the solemn strains of whioh contiuned until the coffin had been placed on a temporary bier which stood just in front of the entrance to the chancel . The coffin was compje'ely overed with floral devices and wreaths of the most ornate
description , the cards appended containing in many instances expressions of sympathy for the deceased Alderman's surviving relatives . When the mourners were seated the Ven . Archdeacon Hannah gave out the hymn , most appropriate at this point of the ceremonial , " For ever with tbe Lord . " At the request of the family , the service was not
fully choral , the Psalm being read . This part of the service was taken by the Rev . J . J . Hannah , Vioar of St . Nicholas , alternate verses being read by the congregation . The Ven . Archdeacon read the lesson , and the well-known hymn , " Now tbe labourer ' s task is o'er , " was sung . The service was supplemented by a few prayers
taken from that portion of the service nsnally said at the [» nive , commencing with the Lord ' B Prayer . As the coffin was being borne down the nave , Mr . Alfred King played the beantiful air from Mendelssohn ' s " Elijah , " " O , rest in the Lord , " both the pelections which he performed being given at the express desire of the deceased's family .
Tbe bells also rung out a muffled peal . There was an imme-ise on . course of people ouiside the church , bnt perfect order prevuiled as ihe long procession was marshalled , aB follows : —Draids , Foresters , Odd Fellows , Conservative Association , Freemasons , H > rr > ngh Magistrate " , Mayor and Corporation , funeral car , mourning carriages , private carriages . The six mourning carriages were thus occupied : —
First Carringe . —Mrs . David Smith ( widow ) , Mr . Divil Thomson Smith ( nephew ) , Mrs . Henry Moor ( cousin ) , and Mr . Riohanlsm ( cousin ) . Second Carriage . —Miss Richardson ( cousin ) , Mrs . S . nyth •¦ , Mr . Pocock ( medical man ) , Mr . Taylor , and Rev . H . A . Barclay .
Third Carriage . —Sir Heury Fletcher , Bart ., M . P ., Admiral FiVId , M . P ., Mr . M . D . Scott , and Sir Albert Woods ( G » rt-r King-at-Arms , Grand Director of Ceremonies , and P . M . of Lodge No . 46 ) . Fourth Carriage . —Dr . Tinrlal Robertson , Mr . W . Peroival Boxall , Mr . J . H . Lermitte , and Colonel Verrall .
Fifth Carriage . —Rev . W . E . A . Young , Captain Kirby , Major Boxall , and Mr . Cnndy . Sixth Carriage . —Mr . Wollaston , Mr . Patman , Mr . T . Billiug , and Mr . Beard . The private carriages included those of the following ladiui and
gentlemen : —The Ri ^ ht Hon . W . T . Marriott . Q . C ., M . P ., Mr . G . W . Willett , of West House , Portlaud . place , Mr . Gr * y , Mr . Lermitte , Sir Albert Sassoon , Mr . W . L . Winaus , Mr . T . . UL Neviil , Mr . R . Simpson , Major Addison , Dr . Scatelifl ' , Mr . Kempsou , Colonel Sfda I . Mr . Munster ( Mr . Mnnetor being represented . , by Mr . M . R ,
Brandreth ) , Alnermau Hallett , D . L ., Mrs . Lloyd ; Mr . J . Mnrtm ( Beechwond ) , Mr . Bowering , Mr . Lawr-uce Peel , tbe B . ir . m G . de Worms , Mrs . Burrell , Mr . F . T . Fisher , Dr . Fisher , AI . ler . nan Cox , Dr . Tindal Robertson , Colonel Hansard , Mrs . Wood in , the M » yor ( Alderman E . J . Reeves ) , Mr . M . D . Scott , Mr . J . P . Patnvin ) , Mr .
Wells-Dymoke , Mrs . Hudson ( Queen' . * . mad ) , Mr . Chander , Gem-ril Gascoyne , and Mr . Elger . In the procession were , amongst others , the following Freemasons : —Bros . V . P . Freeman , B . Burfield , U . S . Godfree , B . Limas , E . S . Whittle , C . Nye , H . S- Gates , H . Nye , T . Rose , J . Webster , J . S . R . Bays , O . Emblin , T . -Chandler , H . Cneal .
J . J . Abel , T . Nye , C . Vaughan , S . Solomons , F . H . Willm .-r , J . Martin , G . de Paris , G . Cole , F . Hayller , W . Marchant , J . F . Eyles . S . T . Foat , C . J . Carter , M . Leleu , C . J . Reed , Rev . W . A . Tooth , F . Hollands , W . Mitchell , S . Deuman , J . Flinn , T . Hughes , J . Harrison , W . R . Wood , W . T . Nell , R . J . Rogers . Others present included tho
Mayor of Lewes ( Alderman J . Farncombe ) , the Revs . T . Peacey ( Vicar of Hove ) , E . L . Roxby , R . I . Salmon , W . A . Tooth , and Dan Winham , Bro . C . Gervaise Boxall Past Grand Steward and W . M . of Lodge No . 46 ( representing , with Sir Albert Woods , the Grand Lodge of England and the mother Lodge of tbe deceased ) , Mr . Dennant
( Brighton and Sussex Natural History and Philosophical Socinty ) , Lieutenant Hailey ( Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade ) , Mr . G . S . Godfree , Mr . A . Habens , and Mr . Marchant . The Right Hon . W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., wa 3 unable to be present . On arriving at the cemetery the procession proceeded to the church , and then the coffiu , of polished oak with brass fittings , with large handsome inscription