19th Century Cross Letter or Cross Writing or Cross Hatching. The writer reached the bottom of the page, turned the paper sideways and adds a second layer of text. During the 19th century, paper was expensive and postal delivery was charged per page, or by the size of the paper. Cross-writing was a way to save paper and postage in Jane Austen and Bridgerton times, and many of Jane Austen’s letters were written this way. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross-writing letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin also favored this technique.

• Rates of Postage of single Letters in Pence.
• From any post-office in England or Wales, to any place not exceeding 15 miles from such office – – – 3
• For any distance above 15, and not exceeding 30 miles — — 4
• For any distance above 30, and not exceeding 50 miles — 5
• For any distance above 50, and not exceeding 80 miles –  6
• For any distance above 80, and not exceeding 12O miles — 7
• For any distance above 120, and not exceeding 170 miles –  8
• For any distance above 170, and not exceeding 230 miles — 9
• For my distance above 230, and not exceeding 300 miles — — 10
• For any distance above 300, and not exceeding 400 miles –  11
• For any distance above 400, and nut exceeding 500 mites — 12
• 1802 Picture of London Printed for R. Phillips via Google Books (PD-180)

And so in proportion; the postage increasing progressively one penny for a single letter for every like excess ok distance of 100 miles. 1802 Picture of London Printed for R. Phillips via Google Books (PD-180)

• The Twopenny Post- Office.
• There are two principal offices, one in the General Post—office yard, Lombard—street  and the other in Gerrard-street, Soho. There are also numerous receiving houses in both the town and country.
• There are SI X collections and deliveries of letters in town daily, (Sundays excepted) and there are two dispatches from, and three deliveries at, most places in the country, within the limits of this office.
• 1802 Picture of London Printed for R. Phillips via Google Books (PD-180)