Uniform Penny Post: - posted on Saturday Apr 4 1840
The Uniform Penny Post was introduced on 10th Jan 1840. This letter was posted, from Weymouth to Devizes, on Saturday 4th April 1840. Just one month before the first stamps were available on Wednesday 6th May 1840. The red line indicates that postage had been paid. This is a particular favorite of mine due to the contents of the letter (see below). The letter shows a piety that is noticeably lacking in our age. [Note the archaic use of "fs" for "ss" as in necefsary and businefs, and D.V., from the Latin Deo Volente, God willing]
We should note that there is no envelope, only one sheet of paper, folded like an envelope, and sealed with ("F" for Farmer) in wax on the back (an envelope would have doubled the postage). Before the Penny Post in 1840, it would have cost William Farmer about 7d to send the same letter to his brother in Devizes, about 45 miles away (see postage rates). The ease of communication afforded by the new Uniform Penny Post can be seen by the nonchalant way in which he opens his letter by saying:
In answer to your note I want to scribble a few lines to you prefatory to your writing the forthcoming letter.
William also refers to possibly, another six letters in this one letter, and shows how important letters were as a means of communication in early Victorian Britain (even over a fairly small distance) and before postage stamps had been issued.
Letter from Wm Farmer to (his brother) Henry dated April 4
1840
Click here for a scan of the letter, for a scan of
the back of the letter
showing the seal (F for Farmer)
Weymouth House April 4. 1840 Dear Henry, In answer to your note I want to scribble a few lines to you prefatory to your writing the forthcoming letter. The day after receiving yours I had an epistle from John also wishing that I could postpone my visit and I have forthwith determined (D.V) to go home in July instead of April when I hope to meet my three Brothers once more. With respect to another subject I think you have acted very wisely it requires consideration. Another subject on which I wish to remark is contained in your postscript from which I think I have a right to infer that some female friend is the object of your particular esteem, from what you have told me I should think it necefsary to provide an antidote for I would warn you against forming an attachment with any other than a truly pious person. I have this week received a communication from a friend who might have had a bride with £1200 but, says he, knowing that money cannot really profit and although she was amiable &c &c &c yet lacking genuine piety she never can become my Wife he is going into busincefs (draper) in a fortnight at Shepton Mally he was in treaty for a busincefs at Devizes, I remain, Yours most affectionalely Wm Farmer. |