The Daily Telegraph, which began in 1855, published its 50,000th edition on February 25. To mark the event, the paper produced a special supplement which included some of the letters that it had published over the years. They were followed on February 29 by a letter from Alistair Lexden, drawing attention to the vital part that the post had played in the management of the paper in its early days.
SIR--The total volume of correspondence arriving at The Daily Telegraph in its early days must have been huge.
Groaning postbags brought many other letters in addition to those intended for publication. The paper’s rules and regulations in the 1860s stated sternly: “All communication with those engaged in every department must be made by letter. The Porter cannot carry messages or transmit notes… The Editor cannot be seen by anyone; all communication with him must be by means of letter”.
Nor could anyone enjoy a calming cigarette during perusal of the missives. “No tobacco is to be smoked in the Establishment”, the paper’s proprietor decreed.
Lord Lexden
London SW1