Let’s proceed to the main exhibit hall and look at some of the actual vehicles that played a (36) role in speeding up mail (37) . Consider how long it used to take to send a letter across a (38) short distance. Back in the 160Os, it took two weeks on horseback to get a letter from Boston to New York. a distance of about 260 miles. Crossing a river was also a (39) . Ferry service was so (40) that a carrier would sometimes wait hours just to catch a ferry. For journeys inland there was always a stagecoach but the ride was by no means (41) because it had to be shared with other passengers. The post office was pretty (42) about some ways. In the 19th century, in the southwestern (43) , for instance, camels were brought in to help to get mail through. In Alaska, reindeer were used. (44) We’ll stop here a minute so that you can enter this replica of a railway mail Car. (45) .In fact, the United States transported most bulk of mail by train for nearly 100 years. The first airmail service didn’t start until 1918. Please take a few moments to 100k around. I hope you’ll enjoy your tour. And as you continue on your own, may I suggest you visit our impressive philatelic (集邮的)collection (46)