In France the classification of goods and rates is in a transition state; and a large portion of the trading and manufacturing classes are discontented with the charges at present made by the railway companies. With a view of simplifying the tariff, in 1879 the Minister of Public Works took steps to frame for adoption on all the French Railways a classification divided into six classes. Subsequently an attempt was made to prepare a uniform scale of railway rates diminishing according to distance. But after a long enquiry, and full consideration, the proposal was abandoned. In 1883, the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Railway Company proposed the adoption of a revised tariff, which professes to afford, on the whole, a reduction in the rates as compared with the former tariff. It was sanctioned by the Minister of Public Works in August, 1885. It consisted of six classes for general goods in any quantities, and six for goods of the special classes, which are generally carried in lots of one and five tons. The latter six classes were in substitution for the many special tariffs formerly existing. The Eastern of France Railway Company also revised their tariff, re-adjusting the classification, and reducing the number of their special tariffs to 28. An article formerly carried at a special tariff between certain specified stations is now charged at the fourth class rate. But when carried generally, and not between particular stations, such an article remains, as before, in the second class. The Northern of France Railway Company have also revised their tariffs on a somewhat similar basis. Long debates on the subject of the charges under the new tariffs, and on the railways generally, took place in the Chamber of Deputies, in February and March last. There were complaints that the “reformed tariff,” and particularly that of the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Company, had not brought about the anticipated reductions, and that, while in some cases lower rates for certain goods carried in large quantities had been conceded, higher rates had been fixed for similar goods sent in small quantities. The rate for 5 ton lots, for instance, is lower; but that for lots under 5 tons is generally higher. The larger traders had derived a benefit from the change; but the small traders and consumers compared with what they were, are placed at a disadvantage. So far the other companies have not made any alteration in their tariffs. Thus it will be seen that in France there is no uniform classification. The tariffs of the companies, with the exception of the Ouest, Nord and Est, are composed of a different number of classes, and the number of articles enumerated in the classification also varies. Articles, too, are not included in the same classes on all lines. For instance, the Ouest enumerates 1686, the Nord 1519, and the Paris, Lyons, and Méditerranée, 1425. The tariffs are divided--