"Place under Government. To be DISPOSED of, a Genteel Place under Government: present Salary £100 a year, with the chance of rising, and other advantages: the next rise will be a considerable one.—Any Young Gentleman, who can command from 500£ to 1000£ will be treated with: and by addressing a line to A. Batson's Coffee-house, with real name and place of abode, will be informed of further particulars. N.B. No Brokers will be attended to."—(Times, April 15, 1793.)
"A PLACE under GOVERNMENT.
"To be sold, a permanent Place, which can always be disposed of at pleasure, the salary £76 per annum, net, payable quarterly, the attendance not more than 20 times in the year, and about 2 or 3 hours each time: the duty is agreeable, and in the line of a Gentleman, and can at all times at a small expence be executed by a Deputy. Address &c., &c."—(Times, Feb. 3, 1798.)
Advt.—"Three hundred Pounds. An adequate Premium of £300 or upwards, will be given to any Lady, or Gentleman, who has interest to procure the Advertiser a Place in one of the Government Offices. As the parties are of the utmost respectability, the greatest honour and secrecy may be depended on. Address to &c., &c."
Advt.—"Fifty Guineas will be given to any Gentleman, or Lady, who has interest to procure the Advertiser, a young Man, 25 years of age, a Situation in any of the Public Offices under Government. Address &c., &c."
Advt.—"A Douceur. Wanted, Information as to Situations in Public Offices, or other Appointments under Government, at home, or abroad, which are at present vacant, or like soon to be, or where those who hold such may be willing to resign, on account of their advanced time of life, or other circumstances, on a Douceur being made them. Any person who can give information of this kind will be waited on at any time, or place, he may appoint. At meeting, all particular terms, and circumstances, can be explained. The Advertiser is a person who can give the most satisfactory testimonials of connections, and abilities, and he wishes to be understood that the object of this Advertisement respects Appointments where the emoluments derived from the Situations may be from £500, down to £200 per ann. The most perfect secrecy may be relied on—"
Lord Sandwich. Dr. Brilland. Dr. Pair.
Advt.—"Five Hundred Pounds will be given to any Lady or Gentleman, who can procure the Advertiser a Place under Government, where the emoluments will be a liberal compensation for the sum proposed, and but little attendance required: or, if constant attendance is necessary, it will be expected that the emoluments should be in proportion. The person who wishes such a situation, is respectable in his connections, and the most inviolable secrecy will be observed. No broker will be attended to. Either in a Civil department, or otherwise. For reference &c. &c. &c."—(Times, Jany. 4, 1799.)
The Penny Post was an institution of those days, although its action was limited as to distance. The following excerpts will enable us to notice its different phases, during the years treated of:—