Posted by Ann on August 06, 1997 at 12:48:31:
In reply to two questions posted by Sherry on August 06, 1997 at 12:28:45
] 1- What does it mean "to be franked"? Is it a tip or a present?
Franking is a way of paying for posting mail--or rather, not paying. Certain people are authorized to frank their letters, which means they do not have to pay for postage. By mearly signing their name where the stamp would be, the postal service will deliver their mail for "free" (of course nothing is for free, what this means is that everyone else picks up the cost of delivery).
If you live in the United States, there is still franking of mail. Congressmen and Senetors are authorized to frank their mail. Next time you get one of those letters from your congressman telling you "What I've been doing for you!, take a look at it. You will see that there is no postage on it, but only the signature of your representitive. (This is another reason why incumbants have an edge when running for re-election.)
In the Regency the recipient of a piece of mail would be the one to pay for it, and they would pay based on the number of pages. In Mansfield Park, Sir Thomas franks Fanny's letters. This means that William would not have to pay for them. Sir Thomas probably was authorized to frank because of his rank as a baronet.
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