The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and Romance

It will probably be found that one of the most mushroom-like towns of the country is Barrow-in-Furness, now a place of considerable commerce, and an extensive shipping port. The following measurements, according to the Post-office standard, may repay consideration. Prior to 1847 there was nothing but a foot-postman, who served the town by walking thither from Ulverston one day, and back to Ulverston the next. Later on, he made the double journey daily, and delivered the letters on his arrival at Barrow. In 1869 the town had grown to such dimensions that the office was raised to the rank of a head-office, and three postmen were required for delivery. Now, in 1884, thirteen postmen are the necessary delivering force for the town. About the year 1800 the Post-office had not as yet carried its civilising influence into the districts of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Killin, and Tyndrum, there being no regular post-offices within twenty, thirty, or forty miles of certain places in these districts. The people being desirous of having the Post-office in their borders, the following scheme was proposed to be carried out about the time mentioned:-- A runner to travel from Callander to Lochearnhead--fourteen miles--at 2s. a journey, three times a-week, L15 12 0 Salary to postmaster of Lochearnhead, 5 0 0 A runner from Lochearnhead to Killin--eight miles--at 1s. a journey, three times a-week, 7 16 0 Salary to postmaster of Killin, 5 0 0 Receiving-house at Wester Lix, 2 0 0 Runner thence to Luib--four or five miles--1s. 6d. per week, 3 18 0 Office at Luib, 4 0 0 -------- Total, L43 6 0 ========