COURIER, kiVri-i.;r (OF., Fr. marries-. run ner, from eolith-, 1.at. currcrc, to run). A bearer of dispatches or letters, usually sent on public business. Such messengers were exten sively used up to comparatively recent years— indeed, until the establishment of the postal and telegraph systems superseded them. Organized courier set-vice existed among the Medes, As syrians, and Egyptians from very early times, and relays of runners were employed by the an cient Greeks until time system of mounted couriers was introduced by the Persians. Among the Romans the change from runners to mounted men took place in the time of Augustus. During the Middle Ages, besides the staff of couriers in the service of sovereigns, the English and French nobility employed professional runners, called in France luquais, and in England running footmen. They wore an elaborate costume and carried a long cane topped with a large, hollow silver apple which contained provision for the journey.
Toward the middle of the fifteenth century, formal permission was given to the Government couriers of Germany and Spain to carry un official letters.
In modern times eorrespondenee between diplomatic representatives and their home Gov ernment is sometimes conducted by means of special couriers, who are considered inviolable messengers unless they happen to fall into the hands of a hostile power in time of war. The office of King's Ale-,senger in the English diplo matic service used to be an honorable and coveted position, but is now practically obsolete. The word courier also SiplifiPS a hired at tendant who accompanies travelers abroad, and whose special duty consists in making arrange ments for the journey. attending to passports. settling hotel bills, and the like. Au important qualification is the ability to speak several for eign languages.