How did people in the old days exchange messages?

For the transmission of letters in the old days there were people, they were called messengers. Their job was to transfer written messages from hand to hand, whether within the same city, or nearby cities.
People also used birds, mainly pigeons, to send letters. A message was tied to the birds’ paws, sometimes it was placed in a waterproof capsule. Pigeons accurately delivered mail to addressees.
In the 19th century, the telegraph was invented. With his appearance, the work of messengers and carrier pigeons gradually decreased to a minimum.