lation, or not having a legitimate list of subscribers, are excluded from the pound rate, and pay third-class rates.

Second-class publications must possess legitimate subscription lists approximating 50 per cent of the number of copies regularly issued and circulated by mail or otherwise. Unless they do pound-rate privileges are revoked or withheld.

Whenever the general character and manner of issue of a periodical publication is changed in the interest of the publisher, or of advertisers or other persons, by the addition of unusual quantities of advertisements, or of matter different from that usually appearing in the publication, or calculated to give special prominence to some particular business or businesses, or otherwiseespecially where large numbers of copies are circulated by or in the interest of particular persons-the secondclass rates of postage will be denied that issue; and if there be repeated instances of such irregularities, the publication will be excluded from the mails as secondclass matter.

Such "Christmas," "New Year's," and other special issues, including "Almanacs," as are excluded from second-class privileges by the terms above specified may be transmitted by mail only when prepaid by postage stamps at the rate applicable to third-class matter -one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof.

Publications sent to actual subscribers in the county where published are free, unless mailed for local delivery at a letter-carrier office.

Rates of postage on transient newspapers, magazines, or periodicals, one cent for each four ounces or fraction thereof. It should be observed that the rate is one cent for each four ounces, not one cent for each paper contained in the same wrapper. This rate applies only when a complete copy is mailed. Parts of second-class publications or partial or incomplete copies are third-class matter. Second-class matter will be entitled to special delivery when special delivery ten-cent stamps are affixed in addition to the regular postage.

Transient second-class matter must be so wrapped as to enable the postmaster to inspect it. The sender's

name and address may be written in them, but any other writing subjects the matter to letter postage. The name and address of the sender may also be written on the wrapper.

Third-Class Matter.-Mail matter of the third class includes printed books, pamphlets, engravings, circulars in print (or by the hectograph, electric-pen, or similar process when at least twenty identical copies, separately addressed, are mailed at postoffice windows at one time), and other matter wholly in print, proofsheets, corrected proof-sheets, and manuscript copy accompanying the same.

The rate on matter of this class is one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof.

Manuscript unaccompanied by proof-sheets must pay letter rates.

Third-class matter must admit of easy inspection, otherwise it will be charged letter rates on delivery. It must be fully prepaid, or it will not be forwarded.

The limit of weight is four pounds, except single books in separate packages, on which the weight is not limited. It is entitled, like matter of the other classes, to special delivery when special delivery stamps are affixed in addition to the regular postage.

Upon matter of the third-class, or upon the wrapper or envelope inclosing the same, or the tag or label attached thereto, the sender may write his own name, occupation, and residence or business address, preceded by the word "from," and may make marks other than by written or printed words to call attention to any word or passage in the text, and may correct any typographical errors. There may be placed upon the blank leaves or cover of any book, or printed matter of the thirdclass, a simple manuscript dedication or inscription not of the nature of a personal correspondence. Upon the wrapper or envelope of third-class matter, or the tag or label attached thereto, may be printed any matter mailable as third-class, but there must be left on the address side a space sufficient for the legible address and necessary stamps.

Fourth-Class Matter.-Fourth-class matter is all mailable matter not included in the three preceding classes

which is so prepared for mailing as to be easily withdrawn from the wrapper and examined. It embraces merchandise and samples of every description, and coin or specie.

Rate of postage, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof (except seeds, roots, bulbs, cuttings, scions, and plants, the rate on which is one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof.) This matter must be fully prepaid, or it will not be forwarded. The affixing of special delivery ten-cent stamps in addition to the regular postage entitles fourth-class matter to special delivery. (See remarks under "first-class matter.")

Articles of this class that are liable to injure or deface the mails, such as glass, sugar, needles, nails, pens, etc., must be first wrapped in a bag, box or open envelope and then secured in another outside tube or box, made of metal or hard wood, without sharp corners or edges, and having a sliding clasp or screw lid, thus securing the articles in a double package. The public should bear in mind that the first object of the department is to transport the mails safely, and every other interest is made subordinate.

Such articles as poisons, explosives, or inflammable articles, live animals, insects, fruits or vegetable matter liable to decomposition, or substances exhaling a bad odor will not be forwarded in any case.

Firearms may only be sent in detached parts.

The regulations respecting the mailing of liquids are as follows: Liquids, not ardent, vinous, spirituous, or or malt, and not liable to explosion, spontaneous com bustion, or ignition by shock or jar, and not inflammable (such as kerosene, naphtha, or turpentine), may be admitted to the mails for transportation within the United States. Samples of altar or communion wine are mailable. When in glass bottles or vials, such bottles or vials must be strong enough to stand the shock of handling in the mails, and must be inclosed in a metal, wooden, or papier-mache block or tube, not less than three-sixteenths of an inch thick in the thinnest part, strong enough to support the weight of mails piled in bags and resist rough handling; and there must be provided, between the bottle and said block or tube, a

cushion of cotton, felt or some other absorbent sufficient to protect the glass from shock in handling; the block or tube to be impervious to liquids, including oils, and closed by a tightly fitting lid or cover, so adjusted as to make the block or tube water tight and to prevent the leakage of the contents in case of breaking of the glass. When inclosed in a tin cylinder, metal case, or tube, such cylinder, case, or tube should have a lid or cover so secured as to make the case or tube water tight, and should be securely fastened in a wooden or papier-mache block (open only at one end), and not less in thickness and strength than above described. Manufacturers or dealers intending to transmit articles or samples in considerable quantities should submit a sample package, showing their mode of packing, to the postmaster at the mailing office, who will see that the conditions of this section are carefully observed. The limit of admissible liquids and oils is not exceeding four ounces, liquid measure.

Limit of weight of fourth-class matter (excepting liquids), four pounds.

The name and address of the sender, preceded by the word "from," also any marks, numbers, names, or letters for the purpose of description, such as prices, quantity, etc., may be written on the wrapper of fourthclass matter without additional postage charge. A request to the delivering postmaster may also be written asking him to notify the sender in case the package is not delivered.

Registration. All kinds of postal matter may be registered at the rate of eight cents for each package in addition to the regular rates of postage, to be fully prepaid by stamps. Each package must bear the name and address of the sender, and a receipt will be returned from the person to whom addressed. Mail matter can be registered at all postoffices in the United States.

An indemnity-not to exceed $25 for any one registered piece, or the actual value of the piece, if it is less than $25-shall be paid for the loss of first-class registered matter.

Domestic Money Orders.-Domestic money orders are issued by money-order postoffices for any amount up to $100, at the following rates.:

For sums not exceeding $2.50, 3 cents; over $2.50 to $5, 5 cents; over $5 to $10, 8 cents; over $10 to $20, 10 cents; over $20 to $30, 12 cents; over $30 to $40, 15 cents; over $40 to $50, 18 cents; over $50 to $60, 20 cents; over $60 to $75, 25 cents; over $75 to $100, 30 cents.

Stamped Envelopes.-Embossed stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers of several denominations, sizes, and colors are kept on sale at postoffices, singly or in quantities, at a small advance on the postage rate. Stamps cut from stamped envelopes are valueless; but postmasters are authorized to give good stamps for stamped envelopes or newspaper wrappers that may be spoiled in directing, if presented in whole condition and with satisfactory evidence.

All matter concerning lotteries, gift concerts, or schemes devised to defraud the public, or for the purpose of obtaining money under false pretences, is denied transmission in the mails.

Applications for the establishment of post-offices should be addressed to the First Assistant PostmasterGeneral, accompanied by a statement of the necessity therefor. Instructions will then be given and blanks furnished to enable the petitioners to provide the department with the necessary information.

The franking privilege was abolished July 1, 1873, but the following mail matter may be sent free by legislative saving clauses, viz:

(1) All public documents printed by order of congress, the Congressional Record and speeches contained therein, franked by members of congress, or the secretary of the senate, or clerk of the house. (2) Seeds transmitted by the secretary of agriculture, or by any member of congress, procured from that department. (3) Letters and packages relating exclusively to the business of the government of the United States, mailed only by officers of the same, publications required to be mailed to the librarian of congress by the copyright law, and letters and parcels mailed by the Smithsonian