clerk shall note on the letter the deficiency to be paid on its receipt.

11th. The tariff and prepayment of letters, whether for the interior of Sicily or abroad, is regulated by the royal decree of July 5th, 1858.

12th. The annexed regulation is approved by ourselves.

13th. All laws, decrees, and regulations of the royal postal service, which are not annulled by the present decree, shall continue in force.

14th. Our ministerial Secretary of State for the affairs of Sicily, and our Lieutenant-General in Sicily, are charged with the execution of this decree.

FERDINAND.

As we have remarked before, the financial minister was unsatisfied with M. La B-, for furnishing with defective impressions only. The minister was doubtless unaware that the most successful type is susceptible of producing inferior proofs when confided to unskilled hands, for we find him conferring with M. P-, for the purpose of obtaining from that gentleman a type congeneric with the disgraced one. It will be seen by the succession of stamps furnished by M. P how ill-founded was the ministerial choice. Gratefully unwilling to abuse the confidence placed in his talent, M. P, by application to coadjutors, hoped for the attainment of that capability for which he felt himself inadequate. He obtained the following:

Type 1st. The effigy of king Ferdinand to the left, has a lozenge-shaped trellis-work for back-ground; around the frame reads-BOLLO DELLA POSTA DI SICILIA. No figure of value. There are proofs in grey and blue. The system of impression used for this stamp is identical with that formerly employed in Peru for the fabrication of the obsolete issues. A hundred thousand stamps per day could be worked off on endless rolls of paper. The minister, not considering the King's effigy a likeness, made a remark to that effect, on which M. P— hastened to replace his type by another still less successful. The King's portrait was on a ground of uniform

BOLLO DELLA

POSTA

GR

DI SICILIA

colour; the same inscription and want of

M. P, whose perseverance merited better results, managed to prove by a fourth type both his own inability and that of his assistants. Seeking to fascinate the minister, this time he enlivened his stamp by placing fleurs-de-lis at the four angles, and substituting a beading of pearls for the simple white band of the framework of the others. Notwithstanding, and possibly on account of these intended beautifications, this type, which we have seen printed in grey, was no luckier than its predecessors.

Weary of these fruitless essays, the minister of finance, in despair, bethought himself of the offers he had formerly received from M. J. B -, offers which the latter had accompanied with a specimen of engraving and printing, which we have already given and noted as refused. To his great astonishment M. J. B learned that he was entrusted with the execution of an embossed type representing the portrait of King Ferdinand. Unfortunately for M. B., political events annihilated the received orders, the landing of Garibaldi and his followers at Marsala, on the 10th May, 1860, definitively suppressed all the ministerial projects of postage-stamp reform.

NEWLY-ISSUED OR INEDITED

STAMPS.

'HONOUR to whom honour is due'-dishonour ditto. In our last number we were taken to task for errors and shortcomings which we beg to remark were not all our own fault. Should aught be amiss in the present number, we shall follow Caleb Balderstone's example in the Bride of Lammermoor, who declared he would attribute all future deficiencies to the 'great fire,'-and lay the blame on the Prussians. In fact, the excitement has been such, while we were penning the articles for the present and succeeding months, that we may well be excused minor slips or omissions. We had just completed the translation of the paper on Sicilians, when the troops of Prussia came pouring past our windows, to the number of several thousands; and doubtful of forthcoming events, we rushed out to post it without waiting a re-perusal, not knowing but that all foreigners might be ordered to evacuate forthwith. A few days previously a troop had made a raid, but contented themselves with carrying off a couple of weighty coffers full of cash, requiring eight men as bearers! They had previously visited us, terrifying the inhabitants and frightening away half the visitors; and now, while writing this, they come a fourth time, but this once, as far as we can understand, having suffered a defeat from the Federal troops near Frankfort.

HAMBURG.-The appended cut represents the latest novelty from the free (to forge) city. It will be seen at a glance that the design differs only from the lately-emitted HAMBURG

envelopes in having a rectangular outer frame, and the corners filled in with diagonal lines. It is not easy to understand why the new 1 sch. is not identical in design with the 1 sch. It may be that a distinction is made in order to preserve the individuality of the former value, or perhaps it is intended to emit an entirely new series of the 1 sch. type. having long been represented only by the primary seven values, Hamburg can now

After

salmon, and 5 neugr. green. All are printed on coloured paper, except the 1 neugr., which is on white. The prices represented by these stamps are far below those charged by the royal post-office for the same service, whilst the security afforded by the company is equal. We presume the packets intended to be conveyed are equivalent to our book-post parcels; the stamps will not therefore be inadmissible, and, indeed, their peculiar style of device, reminding one in its effect of a church window, will render them pleasing additions.

We take this opportunity to note the existence of "Feldpost" (field-post) envelopes, issued gratis to the Saxon troops. Soldiers' letters enclosed in them are forwarded and delivered free of charge. They bear the simple inscription K.S. FELDPOST BRIEF FREI. Devoid of beauty, they will yet doubtless be preserved as interesting mementoes of the present strife long after it has ceased.

PERSIA. We are informed by a foreign journal that the issue of Persian stamps, of the design figured in The Stamp-Collector's Magazine for December last, will take place in a few days.

The

MONTEVIDEO. It is stated by another foreign journal, Le Timbre Poste, to be the intention of the Uruguayan postal authorities to issue stamped envelopes. Two proofs of a projected 5 c. have already been seen. design is similar to that of the adhesives—a large figure, with armorial shield, in centre of an oval-REPUBLICA DEL URUGUAY, above; MONTEVIDEO, below; and on each side a small star. The proofs are embossed on white paper, and coloured respectively rose and light-brown. A Montevideo newspaper states that they are to be sold at the facial value of the stamp, no charge being made for the envelope, and the sole reason for the adoption of envelopes at all is stated by the same journal to be, that they save the trouble of sticking on the adhesives. The 'additionalsecurity' argument of the English officials is not used.

comer

for the grey tenpence, which it immediately succeeds, in watermark. The new bears the numeral 10, à trait simple, in lieu of the figure 6 formed by a similar single line, found in the paper on which the grey tenpence appears.

PERU. The new 5 centavos, the approaching advent of which was referred to in the last number of the Stamp-Collector's Magazine, has come to light. It is in form, upright rectangular, of a bright green colour, printed on plain paper, without watermark, perforated. The design bears great general similarity in structure to that adopted for Costa Rica; the device on the shield being a pair of llamas, one with its burthen, picturesquely grouped beside a rock, with the agave, or aloe, of the country, introduced as an accessory. The shield is surmounted by two labels bearing CORREOS PERU and PORTE FRANCO, respectively, with a figure 5 in the centre of the upper label. Below, in a straight line, CINCO CENTAVOS; the space between the edge of the shield and the borders is filled up by arabesque and floral ornamentation. The whole appearance of the stamp is creditable to its producers, the American Bank-Note Company; but we confess to a decided preference for some of their other designs; we hope to give an illustration of the stamp next month, which will afford all further details needful to a complete description.

FINLAND. TAMMERFORS.-In the correspondence columns our readers will find a full and interesting account of a stamp just issued for the service of the little town of Tammerfors. We have only to add, that in appearance it is a reminder of the Helsingfors, and that we purpose giving an engraving of it in our next number.

BRAZIL.-Just at the moment of going to press, we have seen the new issue of this empire; the advent of which is heralded in our last month's number (page 10)). These stamps are the production of the American Bank-Note Company of New York, and, in common with all the designs emanating from this firm, are of considerable beauty and refinement; nevertheless, we are bound to say that the issues of Nova Scotia, and others from the hands of the same engravers, are,

orange.

500 Five of them, viz.,-10, 50, 80, 100, and 500 reis, bear, in a central oval or circle, the portrait of the present emperor, evidently engraved after a photographic likeness, and showing the bust, nearly full face, turned towards the right. The head bears the impress of considerable intellectual power, and the lower part of the face betokens great firmness; if the likeness be faithful, his imperial majesty is a noble-looking man. He is represented in plain attire, without any decoration or insignia of rank.

The 20 and the 200 reis show a portrait which, at the moment we cannot name, but it is that of an elderly man, bearded and moustached, represented in profile to the left. When we give, as we hope to, next month, an engraving of the stamps, we will supply the further information we do not now possess. Each of the stamps slightly varies in design, and the accessories and details are different.

At the top of all the word BRAZIL appears, and the value in words at the foot of each stamp. In the five, bearing the portrait of the present Emperor, at each lower angle the value is placed in figures; while in the pair with the unknown likeness corresponding figures are found on each side of the head.

We are unable to detect in the ornaments any special device peculiar to the empire of Brazil; we notice the rose, and what we

think is a tulip, with smaller flowers in some of the series, and fancy ornaments in the others.

We have named the colour of both the 20 and 80 reis as lilac; in the specimens before us the latter is somewhat of a darker hue than the former, but not sufficiently distinct to enable us to call them different colours. It is, however, impossible to speak with certainty on this point from a single copy, without an opportunity of comparison with others.

6

REVIEWS OF POSTAL PUBLICATIONS. Stamp Dealer's Advertiser. Liverpool: J. C. Wroe.

THE leading principle by which we are actuated is to take advantage of the universal appetite for anything appertaining to philatelie, and to supply it with information at the lowest possible price-i.e., gratis.' Such are the aim and intention of the latest British stamp journal, an unpretending fourpage publication. The contents of the first number are a well-written preface, a review of Oppen's album, and a paragraph concerning the Papal States, containing the information that a new issue is in contemplation, with value in centesimi, in consequence of the intended introduction of the decimal The coinage into the Roman territories. residue of the paper is filled with advertisements. It is well printed, and no one can complain of the price.

The Stamp-Collector's Monthly Gazette. St. John, New Brunswick: George Stewart, jun.

THE continuance of this magazine is evidence of the undiminished popularity of philately in our North American colonies. It commences with the June number its second volume, and now makes its appearance enlarged by four pages, and embellished with an elaborate heading. The increased size is due to the influx of advertisements, and these, we are glad to observe, still occupy a considerable space. The contents, with the exception of a tale, are strictly postal and interesting. Amongst other things, we find the Newfoundland stamps are made the subject of a short but careful

and trustworthy paper. Mr. Pemberton contributes a description of the forgeries of the old issue for Turkey, and a too-complete list of novelties is given, as it includes a couple of Bremen revenue stamps. There is rather an ardent tone about some of the editorial remarks-such, for instance, as the following:

Young swains of New Brunswick, to the rescue, if you would win the approving and loving smiles of a young and handsome maiden; tax and worry your brains to their utmost capacity, and solve this, the most difficult enigma that has ever appeared in the Gazette, and when you have succeeded, present the answer to her, and you will, we feel assured, receive in return thanks most grateful and beautiful to behold.

This extract will at any rate serve to show that the pursuit of stamp collecting is not detrimental to gallantry.

More care is requisite on the part of the corrector for the press. In the number before us, several typographical errors occur which a little watchfulness would have prevented. Of these we need only name timbophilyic,' 'legilslators,' 'boquet,' perceptable,' as instances.

We trust that such trivial, but noticeable defects will be remedied in future numbers, and that the Gazette will long continue to represent the collecting community of the 'North American Confederation.'

OLD LETTERS.

OLD letters! oh then spare them-they are priceless for their age!

I love-oh how I love to see each yellow time-stained page! They tell of joys that are no more, of hopes that long have fled;

Old letters! oh then spare them-they are sacred to the dead!

They tell of times, of happy times, in years long, long gone by,

Of dear ones who have ceased to live but in the memory; They picture many a bright, bright scene in sunny days

of yore, Old letters! oh then spare them for they are a priceless store!

Old am I too, and grey-haired now-deserted and alone, And all of those I once could call my friends, alas! are gone.

Yet oft at midnight's stilly hour, in solitude's retreat, With each one in his silent tomb I hold communion sweet. Old letters! here is one-the hand of youth is on its face; Ah that was from a brother young in some far foreign place;

A sailor-boy, beloved by all, frank, open-hearted, braveCold, cold and lonesome is his rest beneath the Atlantic

wave.

Another, stained with dark red spots, as clasped by bloody hands,

Was found beneath a father's corpse on dread Corunna's sands;

A stranger hand with kindly care conveyed the relic dear

Old letters! ye are priceless, ye have cost a widow's tear.

Another-know I not that hand? Oh she was bright and fair;

Too pure, too gentle, and too good for angels long to spare

Her to this earth of grief and woe: well, Death, thou mights't be vain,

Thou hast not such another flower in all thy dark domain ! Oh! ye are now the only links that bind us to the past; Sweet, sweet memorials of the days too happy far to last. The tear-drop fills again the eye which tears had almost fled.

Old letters! ye are precious, ye are sacred to the dead! Chambers's Journal.

By this it will be seen that the monetary value of these stamps is 15 centimes.

GEESTEMUNDE.-In July, 1865, we replied to our correspondent's (Amicus) inquiries respecting the meaning of the word Geestemunde, when found on Hanoverian letters. A recent newspaper paragraph, which we subjoin, relating to the present war, throws additional light on the subject. 'OCCUPATION OF PORT GEESTEMUNDE

BY

THE PRUSSIANS.-The Hansa, just arrived from Bremen, brings intelligence that the Prussians took formal possession, on Saturday, July 14th, of the Hanoverian port, Geestemunde, near Bremen, in the presence of Prussian and Hanoverian commissioners, and it is supposed that Geestemunde will at once be made a Prussian naval port.' The Geeste is an insignificant river which falls into the Weser near its confluence with the sea, hence the name of the port; münde being German for the mouth of a river.

SALE OF AMERICAN DEAD LETTERS BY AUCTION.The great sale of articles accumulated through the year in the dead-letter office was commenced in Washington on the 30th ult., and has been continued with the liveliest kind of bidding ever since. The Star says that over half the immense catalogue is of jewelry, largely of the dollar' sort, but with sprinkling enough of the genuine to induce a lively competition. Upwards of three hundred articles in the collection are packages of patent medicines, in the shape of pills, powders, unguents, oils, old school and new school, allopathic, homoeopathic, Thompsonian, eclectic, and all sorts, for the relief of every malady known to man or woman. There are over one hundred and fifty gold (supposed to be) watches on the catalogue, and no end of silver watches. Also an indescribable medley of all the varieties of wares known to civilization. Among the articles thus passed through Uncle Sam's mails, finding their way to the dead