CHAPTER XL. RATES OF POSTAGE IN THE UNITED STATES: On each letter weighing not more than one-half ounce three. cents, and for each additional half-ounce or fraction thereof, three cents. All packages containing matter not in itself chargeable with letter postage, but in which is enclosed or concealed any letter, memorandum, or other thing chargeable with letter postage, or upon which is any writing or memorandum; and manuscripts. for publication in newspapers, magazines, or periodicals — three cents for each half-ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On local or drop letters, at offices where free delivery by carriers is established, two cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof; and where free delivery has not been established, one cent for each half ounce or fraction thereof. On seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots and scions, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On pamphlets and occasional publications, all transient. printed matter, unsealed circulars, book manuscripts, proof sheets, corrected proof sheets, maps, prints, engravings, etc., one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On samples of ores, metals, minerals, and merchandise, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On books, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. } All domestic matter, including newspapers, magazines and periodicals sent to actual subscribers from a known office of publication, must be prepaid by postage stamps affixed thereto. Newspapers issued weekly, or oftener, and sent from publishers or news agents, to subscribers or dealers, two cents per pound; and if not issued as often as weekly, three cents per pound. Papers sent miscellaneously, and not regularly postage the same as on books. Hawaiian Islands, U. S. packet (Newspapers one cent per ounce).. Alexandria, Egypt, British closed mail via Southampton. Australia, British mail via Southampton 66 Brindisi 16 closed mail via England British Columbia (Letters unpaid 10 cents per 1⁄2 oz.). Canada, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland (unpaid 10c. P 1⁄2 oz.) Central America* Chili, via Panama.. China, via San Francisco 66 Southampton 66 Brindisi. Constantinople, German mail, direct closed mail, via England.. East India, British, via San Francisco.. British mail, via Southampton. Egypt, except Alexandria British mail, via Southampton Germany, via Hamburg or Bremen, direct Honduras, via St. Thomas Hong Kong, including Canton, Amoy, Swatow, and Foo-Chow, U. S. packet.. +6 10 10 7 8 16 4 10 3 44 6 16 66 16 4 10 2 4 4 4. * Denotes that the postage is the United States postage only, which must be prepaid' on matter sent and collected on matter received. + Denotes that prepayment of postage is optional; in all other cases it is compul. sory. GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.-Letters wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid are subject on delivery, in addition to the deficient postage, to a fine of 6 cents in the United States and 3d. in Great Britain. Book manuscript and corrected proof may be sent at book-packet rate of postage. CHAPTER XLI. REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. REGISTERED LETTERS. Within the last few years the Registered Letter Department has grown to enormous proportions. In former times the registering of a letter was only a notice to those handling it that it was valuable, the process being to simply paste a Registered Letter Bill to the letter and place it among the ordinary letters. If any officer was dishonest and wanted the letter, all he had to do was to take it and destroy the bill, and the chances. of detection were very slight. The fee was small and the safety smaller. Under the new system which has been in operation some few years, and is copied from England, the safe transmission and delivery of money and valuables is almost certain. Only letters or other mail matter on which letter rates of postage are fully prepaid can be registered. Each postmaster is furnished with all the proper blanks, including the package envelopes and seals. The latter is a large whitish brown envelope, longer and broader than an ordinary official size envelope, and "Registered Letter" printed in large red letters across the face. The seal is similar to a postage stamp, only larger, and is placed over the lap after the envelope is sealed, and then cancelled. When a letter is presented for registration at any post office, the postmaster must require that the name and post office address of the writer thereof be endorsed on its face; he must also see that the postage, as well as the fee for registering, is fully prepaid by stamps affixed to such letter; he will then fill out a receipt, entering thereon the number of the letter, the date and name of his office, the name and address of the writer, and the address of the letter, sign and deliver it to the person presenting the letter. The postmaster then makes out his "registered letter bill " and “ 'return registered letter bill" each of which contains a full description of the letter consisting of address and number. The registered letter bill is then placed in the package envelope with the letter. The package is then sealed up and the name of the post office for which it is destined, and the number and stamp of the mailing office are plainly marked upon the package. It is then ready for delivery to the route agent or postal clerk upon whose route it properly belongs, who is required to give a receipt for it, and also to keep a complete record of it, as are all officers of the Department who handle registered matter in transit. He must also take a receipt from the officer to whom he next delivers the package. The return registered letter bill is sent in an ordinary envelope in the regular mail to the office of final destination, which will, by reason of the fact that no registered letters are sent in through mails, and only in charge of postal clerks upon day trains, nearly always reach the office in advance وو |