NOTES.

To the Report are appended 16 pages of exceedingly elaborate Notes, containing some very abstruse calculations for the perpose of de- termining certain disputed points which arose in the course of the in- quiry. The data on which these calculations rest have been selected with so much care and judgment, and every step in the demonstrations is so fully and satisfactorily stated, that the results appear to be

absolutely indisputable ; at least the only chance of error is in the data. As, however, the calculations occupy more space than we could pos- sibly spare, and as from the frequent use of algebraic symbols they would probably be unintelligible to the general reader, we shall give the results only ; and of these we shall confine ourselves to the more im- portant, referring such of our readers as may be interested in following out an exceedingly beautiful specimen of mathematical reasoning, to the Notes themselves. With the view of presenting the results as determined by the Com- mittee in a more interesting form, we shall place in parallel columns those to which Mr. Hill on the one hand, and the Post-office autho- rities on the other, had arrived previously to or in an early stage of the inquiry. AVERAGE RATES OF POSTAGE.

As determined by Average rates, Multiple Letters bring excluded.

Single inland general post letters Ditto and London 2d. and 3d. post letters Ditto, ditto, and country hi post letters

(a) lit Report. par. 162. an average of 914.

(b) 1st Report, pap 434.

(c) 1st Report, par. 161. Mr. Hill says, he thinks the average is about 614.; but his figures show it to be nearer to 74. In his pamphlet, he estimated this average at 614.; but treated it in his computations as though it were the average of single inland haters, which is shown above to be almost exactly 614.

Average rates. Multiple Letters being included and counted as Single.

Packet and ship letters and inland general post letters Ditto, ditto, and London 2d and 3d. post letters Ditto, ditto, ditto, and coun- try ld. post letters Inland general post letters only Ditto and London 2d. and 3d. post letters Ditto, ditto and country Id. post letters

The Committee.

d. d.

23.1562= nearly 2314

9.7065 =nearly 94 8.4006= nearly 8i 7'6074 = little more than 71

8'6502 =-- nearly 84 7•4686= nearly 76, 6.7414 = nearly 64

7.7445=--_ nearly 74 6'8202 = little more than 64 6.216E = nearly 64

Mr. 11111. The Post-office.

not stated not stated

94 (a) 114 (1)) not stated 10 (b) nearly 7 (c) 9 & 2-5 (b)

not stated not stated ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto

millions at Is. each, and 44 millions at 91, each, give

COST OF CONVEYANCE.

Of all the mail-coaches which leave London, the average weight carried is shown to be 4741b. of mail, including bags; the average cost of a trip, 21. Is. 4d.; and the average distance travelled, 214 miles.

As determined by

The Committee. Mr. hill. The Post-office.

d. d. d.

For a chargeable letter .0273.--- nearly one the same rather more

thirty-sixth of a ld. (d) than id.

(e)

liamentary papers) "2055"= nearly one- not stated fifth of a Id.

For a newspaper .1534 = nearly one- the same

sixth of .a ld. (d)

If the mails were fully laden, it is shown that the cost per letter, &c. would be less than a third of what it now is.

COST OF DISTRIBUTION.

Without reference to particular mails, the actual cost of distribution, includ- ing the receipt, conveyance, and delivery, and all other expenses, is-

As determined by The Committee. Mr. Hill. The Post-office.

d. d. d.

For a chargeable letter 4 Average of all, 94, or nearly 2fr For a privileged letter (9) I:37 435668 -----7-a little more than li ' , '

nearly one For a newspaper ...... 1.6036,==alittle more

than li penny (f)

COST OF DISTRIBUTION COMPARED WITH THE CHARGE FOR DISTRIBUTION.

It is shown that the average cost of distributing general post letters is a little less than the thirteenth part of the average postage charged on such letters; making the tax about 1,200 percent. Mr. Hill estimated the average tax on all letters at between 300 and 400 per cent. (1st Report, par. 107.) (4) Post-office Reform, 3d Ed. p. 13. Strictly speaking, Mr. Hill has not attempted to determine this average. He calculates the cost of conveyance from London to Edinburgh, an

For a privileged letter (in- cluding in this class Go- vernment franks and Par-