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[Illustration:  “WHEN A MAN DOES NOT LOOK HIS BEST.”—­NO. 2.

WHEN THE ROAD-CAR STOPS SUDDENLY JUST AS HE IS CAUTIOUSLY DESCENDING THE STAIRCASE!]

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THE G.P.  AND THE G.P.O.

(A DIALOGUE STRICTLY ACCORDING TO PRECEDENT.)

General Public.  I am sorry to say the condition of the Postal Service is really extremely defective.  The delay in the delivery of letters is most annoying.  Frequently a note which should be received in the evening is not obtained until the following morning—­proof of this being given by the post-marks.

[Illustration]

General Post Office.  Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. You are most kind.  Next, a telegram despatched from one part of London to another part, sometimes takes eight hours, and the reason given is that the counter-clerk has a discretionary power to retain telegrams until he has what he considers a sufficient supply for the messenger to take out for delivery.  This naturally causes much delay and consequent inconvenience.

G.P.O. Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. You are too good.  Next, the carelessness at Branch Offices is extremely irritating.  For instance, it is often the case that the words of telegrams have been altered and changed during transmission.  It is unnecessary to point out that such mistakes are liable to create annoyance, not to say disaster.

G.P.O. Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. Very many thanks.  Then, at offices where females are engaged, rudeness is very common.  Would-be purchasers of postage-stamps are frequently kept waiting while the clerks chatter to one another about matters entirely unconnected with the Department.  And this habit is gaining ground in those offices in which male labour is only employed, especially in the immediate neighbourhood of St. Martin’s-le-Grand itself.  It is useless to call attention to this practice, as a simple denial from an official implicated is accepted by the authorities as proof (almost) positive of his or her innocence.

G.P.O. Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. Again, thanks for your courtesy.  But about these and many other grievances, the same stereotyped answer has invariably been received.

G.P.O. Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. Exactly!  That is the very answer.  And it is felt that no other outcome will result from agitation.  It seems utterly impossible to make the officials in charge realise their responsibility to the taxpayers.

G.P.O. Your complaint shall receive consideration.

G.P. Of course; the same parrot-cry!  And it may be for years, and it be for ever, before reform is introduced.  The probability is, that the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs may exist at St. Martin’s-le-Grand until the hour of doom.