see also James Greenwood in Unsentimental Journeys - click here

see also A.R.Bennett in London and Londoners - click here

The "General" or country, postman wore a scarlet swallow tail coat; the "twopenny" or London district, man a blue uniform; a collection for the night mails was made a 5 P.M., by men who paraded the streets each armed with a bell, which he rang lustily; and many of the despatches of letters from the head-office, then in Lombard Street, to the various sub-offices were made by horse-post, the letters being enclosed in leather valises, which were strapped behind the post-boys.

Edmund Yates, His Recollections and Experiences, 1885
[chapter on 1836-1847]