Post Haste: A Tale of Her Majesty's Mails — Robert Michael Ballantyne / R.M. Ballantyne

In this fun adventure in merry, old England, the reader is taken back to the beginning days of the General Post-Office, learning about the founding of the mail system. In the 1800's, guaranteeing a letter to delivery was a bit of a challenge, as Phillip Maylands, his sister Mary, and their friend George Aspel quickly find out. Though the British Post-Office at this time delivered in good condition over fourteen hundred million letters, a half-dozen important ones addressed to Messr. Blurt and Co. are missing! Our friends must take on the role of detective to trace the mysterious disappearance. Throughout their adventures of learning the ins-and-outs of the postal system, the reader learns how the mail was handled, processed, and dispensed throughout England and Europe. Also, learn about the intricacies of the Telegraph which at that time was handled by the post office. Through the adventures of these friends, maneuvering their way through narrow escapes, shipwrecks, and attempted robberies, learn what life was like in London, and how each delivered letter brought joy to its intended recipient. This tale is founded chiefly on facts furnished by the Postmaster-General's Annual Reports, and gathered, during personal intercourse and investigation, at the General Post-Office of London and its Branches. In the words of R. M. Ballantyne, If it does not greatly enlighten, I hope that it will at all events interest and amuse the reader.