“Under this title Mr. Grierson publishes an exhaustive, able and dispassionate _resumé_ of all the conflicting statements, claims, and interests verging round the much vexed question of Railway Rates.... We have drawn freely on the materials which Mr Grierson has so seasonably brought together, and we can only hope that the many who take an interest in the question will thereby be tempted to seek the further information at first hand.”--_Herapath’s Journal, December 11th, 1886._ “No doubt he will fail to satisfy all who believe that the present rates require revision, but he must convince every reasonable person--everybody who is not blinded by ignorant prejudice--that there is a great deal to be said on behalf of the railway companies.”--_Figaro, December 25th, 1886._ “This is not an attempt to prove that all is for the best in the best possible of railway systems; but simply to shew that some of the charges brought against the companies are erroneous, others exaggerated, and many of a contradictory character. We are further reminded that the question of reform is extremely complicated, and warned against that ‘vague, uninstructed notion’ that ‘something must be done,’ which has been the bugbear of statesmen as well as directors. Hasty legislation should the more be deprecated that there is ‘a fashion in so-called railway reform’.... As to details, Mr. Grierson certainly brings out a number of facts which make for caution in drawing conclusions. Thus the figures quoted on pp. 144-48 seem to offer reasonable evidence that the exportation of iron and coal is not prejudiced by the railway rates charged in England as compared with those charged abroad.... Another fact to be borne in mind: the average dividend on English railways amounts to no more than 4·02 per cent., or two-fifths of the dividend which in 1844 it was considered the railways should pay.”--_St. James’s Gazette, January 1st, 1887._ “His figures have been procured from many sources at home and abroad, and they are so handled as to afford very material support to the case of the British Companies. As a defence of these companies Mr. Grierson’s book is by far the best statement of that side of the question which has appeared, consequently it is entitled to respectful and serious consideration at the hands of those who are not counted amongst the thick-and-thin partisans of such companies as at present managed. In saying this, we do not desire to convey the impression that Mr. Grierson’s facts and figures represent solely _ex parte_ advocacy of the companies; on the contrary, the book contains a large amount of information as to foreign rates, which has not previously been succinctly presented to English readers.”--_Ironmonger, December 26th, 1886._