* * * * * The Trinity House, Northern Lights, and Ballast Board are under the control of the Board of Trade. Before new lighthouses are erected by the Trinity House, they must be sanctioned by the Board of Trade; and before Scotch or Irish lighthouses are erected, the Trinity House are consulted, and in the event of that Board differing with the Irish or Scotch, the Board of Trade give their decision, which is final. It is to be regretted that there should still exist a considerable number of lighthouses which are under the control of about one hundred and seventy local authorities;[13] and every person who appreciates the importance of securing a vigorous and able administration will join us in expressing a hope that before long the lightage of the United Kingdom may form the subject of efficacious legislative action. [13] See Report of the Royal Commissioners on Lights, Buoys, and Beacons, 1861.—_Edinburgh Review_, Jan. 1862, p. 173. * * * * * The number and nature of the lights of the United Kingdom are as follows:— In England: lighthouses, lights on piers, harbour lights, &c., 237. Add 49 lightships—total, 286. In Scotland: lighthouses, lights on piers, harbour lights, &c., 134. Add 1 lightship—total, 135. In Ireland: lighthouses, lights on piers, harbour lights, &c., 85. Add 8 lightships—total, 93. The general result for the United Kingdom is, that we have 456 lighthouses, harbour lights, local lights, &c., and 58 lightships. Total, 514. * * * * * We may compare these figures with those of the French lights. Coast-line of England measures 2405 nautical miles. Coast-line of Scotland " 4467 nautical miles. Coast-line of Ireland " 2518 nautical miles. Coast-line of France " 2763 nautical miles. Now France has 224 lighthouses, but no floating lights. The proportion of lights to the coast-line is,[14] therefore, as follows:— In England 1 to every 8½ miles (nearly). In Scotland 1 to every 33 miles. In Ireland 1 to every 27 miles. In France 1 to every 12.3 miles. [14] This proportion will be slightly modified, but not materially, if we deduct the harbour and pier lights from the English, Scotch, and Irish totals. We may here explain the French system of administration, which, however, cannot be said to equal our own in efficiency or comprehensiveness, nor to surpass it in economy. At all events, the foregoing figures show that the English coast is far more numerously lighted than the French.