A LOST MAIL-BAG.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 658, 8 April 1914, Page 7

A LOST MAIL-BAG.

HAD BEEN HIDDEN IN GERMAN POST OFFICE FOR 300 YEARS. A very curious discovery which throws some interesting sidelights on the lifo of sixteenth-century Europe/ was made some years ago when the contents of the old post-office at Frankfort-en-Main were transferred to the new premises. A complete mail-bag full of letters, and apparently officially sealed, was discovered hidden among • the rafters of the ■ old post-office, where it had lain .forgotten for over 300 years.

'I he bag was at first deposited intact among the State archives, but it has recently been handed over to the Imperial Postal Museum, where the curator, Dr. Sautter, has been occupied in examining the contents. Dr. Sautter has published the results of his examination in tho "Imperial Post and -Telegraph Archives."

The mail comprised 175 packages, containing in all 272 letters ; in some instances several different letters were enclosed in one package, either for the sake of economy or in the hope of greater security. Most of the letters -were addressed to persons residing in Aix-ia-Chaoelle Cologne, and Antwerp, besides a number intended to reach officers and soldiers of the Spanish army then operating in the Netherlands.

One can but vainly speculate upon the disappointments, quarrels, and losses that may have resulted from the miscarriage of all these messages. Thsy were no doubt ser'ious, for in those days letter-writing was too costly and troublesome to be undertaken without real need. Dr. Sautter has classified the letters and published a selection of those that contain items of general interest.

The "aviso" or despatch note found in the bag is written in Italian, though signed by the Spanish postmaster at Milan. It is dated May 16, 1585, and consigns the mail to the Impei'ial postmaster, then resident in Cologne. The letters themselves are dated form various towns in Northern Italy. It is impossible now to say how these letters came to be deposited in the roof of the Frankfort post-office, though there can be little doubt that it was the result of some mail robbery—which was no uncommon event at that period. The peculiar fact remains, however, that the thieves selected a post-oiiice for the concealment of their haul.—"Chambers's Journal.'