Some time ago we received a large Public Document which, on opening, contained the stunning announcement that some dunderhead had sent us a letter without sufficient postage, and that if we sent the United States the necessary nickel, we should have the inestimable privilege of perusing the contents of said document. As every editor knows, one-half his mail is only material for the rubbish-box. However, we wasted a letter, and the " necessary postage " was sent on. In due course, the letter came on with the following placard pasted all over it:

'•This Letter was held at the Philadelphia Post Office as 'short paid,' and forwarded afterwards, upon receipt from the addressee of stamp to cover deficiency."

It was not a letter, but a printed circular inviting us to walk two miles to see a raspberry. "Dear Sir," had been written with a pen, and "27th " in figures. This made it a "letter." By the time we had finished the negotiations with the government the date was passed; and all the time, expense, and loss of temper went for nothing at all.

Now, why should all this tribulation be put on the person to whom a letter is addressed? Who suggested this miserable piece of tomfoolery? His name ought to be attached to a brainless pumpkin and exhibited at an agricultural fair. If a letter is ' short paid,' why not send it back to the writer, even if necessary to cut it open to see who wrote it?