Word Meanings
Border: The dividing line between two areas, here likely referring to the boundary between England and Scotland.
Cheque: A written order directing a bank to pay money.
Postal order: A financial instrument used to send money through the mail.
Beattock: A location in Scotland, known for its challenging gradient.
Gradient: The slope or steepness of a hill.
Cotton-grass: A type of grass with fluffy, cotton-like seed heads.
Moorland: Open, uncultivated land with poor soil and often covered with heather and coarse grasses.
Shovelling: Throwing or heaving coal into the firebox of the steam engine to generate steam.
Snorting: Making a noise similar to a snort, here used to describe the sound of the steam engine.
Wind-bent grasses: Grasses that are bent by the force of the wind.
Sheep-dogs: Dogs trained to herd sheep, often found on farms.
Slumber: To sleep.
Jug: A container used for holding liquids, often found in homes.
Steam tugs: Boats powered by steam engines, used to tow or push larger ships.
Yelping: Making a short, sharp cry or bark.
Glade of cranes: An area filled with cranes, large machines used for lifting and moving heavy objects, typically in an industrial setting.
Furnaces: Industrial kilns or ovens used for burning, baking, or drying.
Chessmen: Pieces used in the game of chess, here metaphorically representing the large industrial structures.
Glens: Narrow valleys, especially in Scotland.
Sea lochs: Coastal inlets in Scotland, similar to fjords.
Lochs: Scottish term for lakes or sea inlets.
Receipted bills: Invoices that have been paid.
Invitations: Requests for someone's presence at an event.
Applications for situations: Job applications.
Declarations: Statements or announcements, often of love or intent.
Gossip: Casual or unconstrained conversation about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true.
Circumstantial: Containing details and conditions, not necessarily important.
Holiday snaps: Informal photographs taken during vacations.
Margin: The blank borders around the written or printed area of a page.
Condolence: An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
Hue: A color or shade.
Chatty: Informal and conversational in style.
Catty: Spiteful or mean-spirited.
Boring: Not interesting; tedious.
Adoring: Showing deep love and affection.
Insipid: Lacking flavor or interest; dull.
Dutiful: Conscientiously fulfilling one's duty.
Undutiful: Not performing one's duty.
Inquiring: Showing an interest in learning new things; questioning.
Whey-faced: Pale or sickly-looking.
Reproach: An expression of disapproval or disappointment.
Deans of colleges: Senior officials in colleges or universities, typically in charge of a specific area.
Alphabet: The set of letters used in a language, here metaphorically representing all possible types of letters and messages.
Figures of Speech These figures of speech contribute to the poem's rich and layered descriptions, creating a vivid and memorable portrayal of the night mail train's journey and the diverse range of letters it carries.
Central Idea The poem continues to describe the train's journey, its interaction with various towns and landscapes, and the anticipation of people waiting for their mail. It's a vivid and engaging piece that captures the essence of a mail train's night-time voyage.
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