To the Editor of the Times
Sir,—As the scales of charges for postage are not supplied at post-offices in any cheaper form than the sixpenny “Postal Guide,” and as all tables for reference are liable to be mislaid, your readers will perhaps find the following rules useful.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Charles L. Dodgson.
Christ Church, Oxford.
Rules for Reckoning Postage
Book Post.—Find the number of ounces. Take the first even number not less than this and halve it. This gives the cost in half-pence.
Letter Post.—A letter not over 1oz. costs 1d. Otherwise use last rule and add 1d.
Parcel Post.—Find the number of pounds and add one. Take the first even number not less than this and halve it. This gives the cost in threepenny-pieces.
N.B.—A book must not be over 5lb. nor a parcel over 7lb. A letter over 12oz. is charged 1d. an ounce, beginning with the first ounce.
Examples.—For a book of 5½oz., say “5½, 6, 3 half-pence.” For a letter of 5½oz., say “5½, 6, 3 half-pence; and a penny makes 2½d.” For a parcel of 5½lb., say “5½, 6½, 8, 4 threepenny-pieces make 1s.”