FORTUNE does not often favor those who are born much in advance of their age, neither is she likely to show herself indulgent towards such as are behind time. It is rare, indeed, that under any government, however paternal it may be, a child begins life as a pensioner for recognized merit in the postal service. One instance of the kind is reported from England. The lady of a cabinet minister had promised to stand godmother to an infant, and calling on the parents a day or two previous to the christening, expressed her regret that her husband, Lord —, had nothing left at his disposal of any importance, and that the only thing he could do for her godson was to put his name on the pension-list as a superannuated general postman. The offer was accepted. The pension was regularly paid to the parents during the minority of their son, and to him afterwards as long as he lived. He thrived in the world, became an alderman, and attained a considerable age, often declaring that he had more pleasure in pocketing the few pounds he drew half-yearly from this source than he derived from the receipt of any other portion of his income. He died a few days after one payment was due, and one of his executors came to town to announce his decease and receive the money. On asking the clerk who paid him if it was necessary to produce a certificate of the death, he was answered:— “Oh no, not in the least; I will take your word for it. My father paid his pension as long as he lived, and I have paid it myself for the last thirty years. I'm quite sure Mr. — must be dead by this time.” He had been a superannuated general postman for upwards of eighty years!—Youth’s Companion.