Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 3).djvu/103



HE articles entitled "Humours of the Post Office," which appeared in our numbers for last May and June, went far to prove that the ingenuity and resource of our Post Office authorities are matter for national pride and gratification. But the instance which we are now in a position to present, and which is, perhaps, the most extraordinary of all, was not then in our hands.

A Norwegian artist, during his stay in London, was one morning passing through Hyde Park, when his attention was attracted by a spectacle with which many Londoners are perfectly familiar—Mr. J. Pratt, the well-known dog-fancier, taking his string of Skye terriers abroad for air and exercise. The artist, after his return to Norway, called the scene to mind, and was anxious to acquire a specimen of the breed. He knew neither the owner's name or address, but, with an implicit trust in the ingenuity of the Post Office, which the result thoroughly justified, he took up his pen and despatched a letter in an envelope, of which the above is a reproduction in fac-simile. The letter was delivered in due course to Mr. J. Pratt, Gloucester-terrace, Hyde Park. The contents of the letter were as follows:—

"Norway, Aug. 23, 1885.

",—in London a short time ago I saw a very fine team of Skye terriers in Hyde Park. I inquired of a policeman if he knew the owner. He said the owner lived near Paddington Station, and so I send this to that district. Should this find you, will you please inform me if such dogs can be purchased, and where? Please communicate to me here at once, and I will call on you on my return to London shortly. "I am, yours truly,