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The British Army Post-Office, Constantinople, 1856. Crimean War: 'The staff employed consists of a postmaster and three assistant postmasters; eight clerks, who have been selected from the General Postoffice in London; and two natives of Constantinople, who act chiefly as interpreters; for, though it was established as a British Army Post, many letters pass through it to and from the soldiers in the Turkish Contingent, &c...The scene on the arrival and departure of the mails is one of the greatest activity. The boat from Marseilles brings from twenty to twenty-five bags, each as much as one of our strong-backed hamals (or porters) can stagger under; and the number of letters is said to exceed 12,000, and that of the papers 8000. This vast number is sorted into regiments, brigades, and divisions, and dispatched to the Crimea and Scutari in the short space of two hours'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.