What is the talk mainly about? [br] [originaltext] Let’s proceed to the main

Let’s proceed to the main exhibit hall and (11) look at some of the actual vehicles that had played a prominent role in speeding up mail delivery. Consider how long it used to take to send a letter across a relatively short distance. Back in the 1600s, 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 challenge. (12)Ferry service was so irregular 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 comfortable because it had to be shared with other passengers. In the 19th century in the southwestern desert, for example, camels were brought in to help to get the mail through. In Alaska, reindeer were used. This practice was discontinued because of the disagreeable temper of these animals. It was during the age of the iron horse that delivery really started to pick up. In fact, the United States transported most bulk of mails by train for nearly 100 years. The first airmail service didn’t start until 1918. As you continue on your own, may I suggest you visit our impressive philatelic collection? (13) Not only can you look at some of the more unusual stamps issued but also you would notice that there’s an interesting exhibit on how stamps are made.