PENNY-POST, a post established for the benefit of London and other parts adjacent, whereby any letter or packet under four ounces weight, is speedily and safely conveyed to and from all places within the hills of mortality, or within 10 miles of the city. It is managed by particular officers; and receiving houses are established in most of the principal streets, for the more convenient transmission of the letters. Some other large towns have instituted similar establishments.
About the year 1776, a penny-post was set up in Edinburgh by Mr Williamson, unconnected with the general post-office. It met with but indifferent encouragement for some years, doubts being entertained as to its punctuality in delivering the letters; by degrees, however, it seemed to be advancing in estimation, and was more frequently employed. Twenty years after, the general post-office, in virtue of the act of parliament prohibiting the conveyance of letters by any but those employed under the postmaster-general, took the penny-post entirely into its own hands; and Mr Williamson was allowed an annuity during life equal to what his private establishment yielded. Letters are now transmitted to the different quarters of Edinburgh, and the suburbs, three times a-day.