10th-Penny Postage commenced, 1840.

When Mr. (afterwards Sir) Rowland Hill suggested his plan of reform in 1837, it evoked strong opposition both from within the Post Office and the public without, but it was eventually adopted by the House of Commons and page 231 launched on the above date. The rates for a single ordinary letter began at 4d. for any distance under 20 miles, and rose by equal amounts of a penny for comparative distances up to 300 miles, for which one shilling was charged. At the present time letters are charged by weight, and a penny stamp is the usual rate for all inland deliveries. In 1839, the year before the new system was introduced, the number of letters passing through the English Post Office was 82,500,000; in 1840 the number was more than doubled. In 1890 the grand total of letters, post cards, etc., received in England alone reached the almost incomprehensible number of 2,500,000,000, the gross revenue from which exceeded twelve million pounds sterling. Probably before another decade has passed international penny postage will be adopted by all English-speaking communities, irrespective of distance.