about the Budget is the evidence which it affords that the revival of prosperity which began about eighteen months sgo has steadily continued and shows no sign declining. Perhaps the next most satisfactory feature is the announcement of very considerable reforms in our postal and telegraph system. When the Dukeof Norfolk was made Postmaster-General th sppoint-
Liberals,' His only qualification for the post was, they declared, his position at. the head of the British nobility. But SirMichiael gives, the Dake the entire credit of these reforms. Their advantage lies almost as much in the implication of our postal system as in the lowering of rates. Wxcopt that we alli still be unable ts se da leter for less than penny, the book post and the letter post are to be assimilated. The penny stamp will in fatar> corer a letter of four ounces instead of only one ounce, and other charges will be in proportion. There ate to be greatly increased facilities in regard to the delivery of letters in country places, and of telegrams in London, the parcel post rates are to be reduced, and last, but not Toast, the postage on foreign and colonial loiters is to be reduced to twopence as s-on as the consent of the Postal Congress has been obtained.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.