have been purchased by it, or have received State guarantees. The English railway companies obtained simply authority from Parliament to purchase compulsorily the land required, and to construct the necessary works.[47] On the other hand, the railways in the countries to which his report relates were, to a great extent, either originally constructed by the State, or the companies have been assisted by contributions towards the cost of construction, or a minimum rate of interest upon the capital provided and expended by them has been guaranteed to them, or the lines have been afterwards acquired by the State. [47] There are some cases in Ireland in which Baronial Guarantees in respect of portions of the capital of railways have been given. It is remarkable that Sir Bernhard Samuelson’s report gives no information as to the railways of France, though the nearest of the Continental countries, and though many of her products compete with ours. To correct this deficiency, it may be desirable to mention a few facts. The French Government constructed the first railways opened in that country or made advances for that purpose without charging interest; and they have since made or purchased other lines. In aid of the original lines for which concessions for 99 years were granted, the State in France contributed a vast amount, as appears by the following statement:-- Amount contributed by the State as shewn at December 31st, 1882 £66,639,549 Divers contributions also given by towns to the extent of 1,753,992 The Companies have themselves provided 340,421,032 ------------ £408,814,573 Upon the State railways (that is, for lines now worked by the Government) they have expended to December, 1882 33,851,598 In addition to which divers subscriptions were given by towns to the extent of 1,305,334 ------------ £443,971,505 Out of which the State (as shown above) provided £100,491,147 ============ The total amount was thus found in the following proportions:-- A.--By the State on lines worked by the Companies 15 per cent. On lines worked by the State 7·6 per cent. ---- 22·6 Contributions made by towns, &c. 0·7 per cent. B.--Capital provided by the Companies 76·7 per cent.