The little paper enclosure which we term "envelope," sustains such an important relation to our social, commercial, political, and moral world, as to tender it eminently worthy of notice at our hands. It has now become the “vade mecum” of thought transportation--crossing seas and rivers, exploring the solitary paths of the forest and plains, pursuing expresses and telegraphic messengers:

We find, by reference to the Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, London, 1754, that "envelope" was a term used to define a work of earth or fortification, sometimes in the form of a simple parapet, at others a small rampart with parapet. The engineers then used to inclose a camp, or exposed spot, with an envelope. The changes which this single word has undergone illustrate those modifications of meaning and application of words which are still going on in our language: from being a general term of wide signification it has now become a specific name for a specific thing.

The first use of the paper inclosure in its present shape was in France, by the perfumers who made envelopes for powders, paste, scents, which became highly popular in the generation of our grandfathers, as there is nothing new under the sun. We find the canning Japanese have used the same inclosure for many generations, not only for the purposes of packing tooth powders, perfumes, etc., but also for our more modern uses as postal carriers.

Envelopes, as postal packages, came into use in Great Britain after the act of Parliament, August 17, 1839, regulating the rates of postage by weight instead of by the number of pieces. Since that time their use has become general, both by Government and by the people.

With contemporary postage it is essential that not only the standard sizes of the envelopes are in place, but that the envelopes are formatted correctly with details. Due to the modern postal service using sorting machines the address details have to be entered in a standard place, in Russia they even provide boxes to write the relevant numbers in so that they are ensured to be read.

Envelopes have undergone mass changes over the years and they are still used for many diverse purposes.