POST-OFFICE REGULATIONS. 1864.

Foreign Letters (except to England and Ireland, to either of which the postage is 25 cts., prepayment optional) should indicate on the outside the route by which they are to be sent, as the difference by various routes is great. Thus, to Austria, and any of the German States, via "Prussian closed mail," 30 cts., prepayment optional; if prepaid, 28 cts.; via "Bremen or Hamburg," 15 cts., prepayment optional; via "French mail," not exceeding 4 oz.,21 cts.; not exceeding 1⁄2 oz., 42 cts. To the CANADAS, 10 cts., prepayment optional. To SWITZERLAND, via Prussian_closed mail," if prepaid, 33 cts.; if not, 35; via "French mail," not exceeding 1/4 oz., 21 cts.; not exceeding oz., 42 ets., prepayment optional; via "Bremen or Hamburg mail," 19 cts., prepayment optional. To FRANCE, not exceeding 4 oz., 15 cts.; not exceeding 1⁄2 oz., 30 cts., prepayment optional.

Letters. The maximum standard weight for the single rate of letter postage is one half ez. avoirdupois. The rate of postage on all domestic letters not exceeding one half oz. shall be uniform at three cents; and for each half oz., or fractional thereof, of additional weight, an additional rate of three cents, to be in all cases prepaid by postage stamps. DROP or LOCAL LETTERS, two cents per half oz., prepaid by stamps; and no further fee can be charged for delivery, or for taking from street boxes to the mails. IRREGULAR MATTER.- Letter rates are to be charged on irregular matter, part writing and part print, except that publishers may send and receive proof-sheets and advise patrons, by writing on papers, when their subscription is up, at printed matter rates. On unclassified matter, where no specific rate is set down, letter postage is charged. When mail matter that should be prepaid goes forward unpaid, double rates are charged at the delivery office. SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' LETTERS are exempt from this extra charge, and may go unpaid. On returned DEAD LETTERS, if valuable, double rates to be paid; if not valuable, three cents only. Foreign dead letters subject to conventional stipulations with the respective governments. Letters not finding owners at the office named must be forwarded, when the place is known, with extra charge. The Postmaster-General may pay not more than two cents for carrying letters in vessels not carrying mails, such letters to be put in post-office on arrival in port; if for local delivery, another two cents should be affixed. No fees are allowed for letters coliccted by a carrier on a mail route.

Newspapers, Magazines, &c. -Newspaper, or second class postage, is, for papers not over four ounces each, per quarter, once a week, 5 cts.; twice, 10 ets.; three, times, 15 cts.; six times, 30 cts.; seven times, 35 cts., and so on, adding one rate for each issue more than once per week, to be prepaid for not less than three months nor more than a year, at the office of reception Publishers of weekly newspapers may send within their county free. On magazines issued less often than once a week, one cent for four ounces to regular subscribers. Special bargains may be made by the Postmaster-General for transporting packages of newspapers, &c. Publishers must be notified when papers are not taken out for one month, which notice may be sent free. BILLS AND RECEIPTS for subscriptions may be enclosed in papers and go free; any other written enclosure imposes letter postage. Publishers may exchange papers free, not exceeding sixteen ounces in weight.

Maximum Weight. - Books. - The maximum weight for single postage on printed matter is four ounces, and the same for miscellaneous or third class matter; and the postage on such is two cents, always prepaid by stamps. Double these rates for books. Three unsealed circulars, two cents; two cents for each additional three, prepaid. No charge for cards or advertisements stamped or printed on envelopes. Franking.-Franking is restricted to the president, his private secretary, the vice-president, heads of executive departments, heads of bureaus and chief clerks, to be designated by the Postmaster-General, senators and representatives, secretary of senate and clerk of house - but this only to cover matter sent to them, and that despatched in the way of business, except documents issued by Congress. DoCUMENTS from officers to their several departments, marked official, also go free; also PETI TIONS to Congress. The weight of franked matter must not exceed four ounces per package, save Congress books, &c.

Registry System. This remains as worthless as ever. The government will take any sum, not more than twenty cents, for registering a letter, but will be in no way responsible for loss or miscarriage.

Small Packets. The business of local delivery and collection of letters is to be regulated by the Postmaster-General; but carriers are to be paid a salary and give bonds. The Postmaster-General may establish branch post-offices and letter-boxes in cities; all accounts for local business to be kept separate. Contracts may be made with publishers for delivery, by local carriers, of papers, &c., coming through the mails. The Postmaster-General may also provide for the delivery of small packets, other than letters and papers, if prepaid (for delivery) at the rate of two cts. for each four ounces. No package weighing over four pounds shall go through the mail, except books circulated by order of Congress. Postage must be prepaid by stamps on domestic letters, whether for mail or local delivery, on transient printed matter, and everything else, save newspapers arranged for by the quarter or other