This example of Scotch prudence, therefore, is one that deserves to be followed by the generous commercial public, indeed by the public at large, of England: if Her Majesty's upper servants at Downing Street cannot be induced to allot a fair proportion of wages to Her Majesty's under servants in connexion with St. Martin's-le-Grand.
But it would really be almost a saving if the Government were to give the postmen a reasonable hire. When Mercury the messenger turns Mercury the thief, and, tempted by want, steals half-a-sovereign, marked by Mr. Sculthorpe, out of the letter he is intrusted with, getting himself, by that act, into the dock at the Assizes, and thence into penal servitude, he costs the country, from first to last, more than would have sufficed to maintain several honest Mercuries during the same time in blue and scarlet and respectability.
That the proposal, alike judicious and handsome, for making up for Government's stinginess to the letter carriers by private liberality, should have emanated from Messrs. Wilson and Matheson of Glasgow, is a fact that adds a feather to the cap of Scotland, and if acted upon by their countrymen, will render it impossible any longer to withhold the position on the Royal Standard, which is claimed by that sagacious and noble animal the Scottish Lion.
The Post-Office Directory.
The companion volume to the above elegant publication is the "Almanach des 25,000 Addresses," published at Paris. We do not know who is the Editor of that interesting volume, in which may be found some of the greatest names in French literature and science, but we should say that no one would be better qualified for the task than the British Drama, as no one, as our stage can testify, can possibly be acquainted with a greater number of French cribs.
THE CZAR'S ITERATION.
The Emperor of Russia's lying manifesto concludes with a quotation from a Psalm. This is only fresh proof that old Nicholas can quote Scripture for his purpose.