Post Haste

R. M. Ballantyne (1825 - 1894)

In this book, Ballantyne weaves the story of Phillip Mayland and his friend, George Aspel with an interesting portrayal of the British Post Office as it existed in the 19th century. In the words of R. M. Ballantyne himself: "This tale is founded chiefly on facts furnished by the Postmaster-General’s Annual Reports, and gathered, during personal intercourse and investigation, at the General Post-Office of London and its Branches.
It is intended to illustrate—not by any means to exhaust—the subject of postal work, communication, and incident throughout the Kingdom.
I have to render my grateful acknowledgments to Sir Arthur Blackwood; his private secretary, Charles Eden, Esquire; and those other officers of the various Departments who have most kindly afforded me every facility for investigation, and assisted me to much of the information used in the construction of the tale.
If it does not greatly enlighten, I hope that it will at all events interest and amuse the reader."

R.M. Ballantyne. - Summary by AlaynaMay

Genre(s): Historical Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Prologue AlaynaMay
00:01:11
Play 01 Chapter 1- A Hero and His Worshipper AlaynaMay
00:12:02
Play 02 Chapter 2- Tells of Woman's Work, and Some of Woman's Ways AlaynaMay
00:17:32
Play 03 Chapter 3- Brilliant Prospects David Alda
00:06:20
Play 04 Chapter 4- The Royal Mail Steamer Lynne T
00:10:49
Play 05 Chapter 5- Wreck and Rescue Lynne T
00:25:18
Play 06 Chapter 6- Treats of Poverty, Pride and Fidelity Rosie
00:21:40
Play 07 Chapter 7- Phil Begins Life, and Makes a Friend Natalie Paula
00:17:15
Play 08 Chapter 8- Downward- Deeper and Deeper Natalie Paula
00:15:24
Play 09 Chapter 9- Mr. Blurt and George Aspel in Peculiar Circumstances Grace Byrne
00:22:44
Play 10 Chapter 10- A Mystery Cleared Up AlaynaMay
00:19:23
Play 11 Chapter 11- The Letter-Carrier Goes His Rounds, Aids a Little Girl, and Overwhelms a Lady Statistically Jairus Amar
00:39:26
Play 12 Chapter 12- In Which a Bosom Friend is Introduced, Rural Felicity is Enlarged on, and Deep Plans are Laid AlaynaMay
00:19:48
Play 13 Chapter 13- Miss Lillycrop Gets a Series of Surprises Adele de Pignerolles
00:30:13
Play 14 Chapter 14- Formation of the Pegaway Literary Association and Other Matters Adele de Pignerolles
00:15:09
Play 15 Chapter 15- George Aspel Receives Various Visitors at the Ornithological Shop, and is Called to Vigorous Action Adele de Pignerolles
00:20:26
Play 16 Chapter 16- Begins with Juvenile Flirtation, and Ends with Canine Cremation Adele de Pignerolles
00:18:46
Play 17 Chapter 17- Tottie and Mrs Bones in Difficulty Jairus Amar
00:19:49
Play 18 Chapter 18- Business Interfered with in a Remarkable Manner Jairus Amar
00:13:29
Play 19 Chapter 19- Deep-Laid Plans for Checkmating Mr Bones Jairus Amar
00:13:58
Play 20 Chapter 20- The Post of the Olden Time Adele de Pignerolles
00:26:26
Play 21 Chapter 21- Tells of a Series of Terrible Surprises Adele de Pignerolles
00:19:37
Play 22 Chapter 22- Shows How One Thing Leads to Another, and so on Adele de Pignerolles
00:24:06
Play 23 Chapter 23- The Turning Point Adele de Pignerolles
00:17:53
Play 24 Chapter 24- Plans and Counter Plans Adele de Pignerolles
00:14:53
Play 25 Chapter 25- Light Shining in Dark Places Adele de Pignerolles
00:15:46
Play 26 Chapter 26- Tells of a Sham Fight, and a Real Battle Adele de Pignerolles
00:18:49
Play 27 Chapter 27- The Greatest Battle of All Adele de Pignerolles
00:15:12
Play 28 Chapter 28- The Storming of Rocky Cottage and Other Matters Lynne T
00:13:27
Play 29 Chapter 29- Describes an Interview and a Rencontre Rachel
00:17:15
Play 30 Chapter 30- The Last Jay Wills
00:14:08