Including charge for luggage. ----------+--------------+----------------------------- Distances.| FRANCE. | BELGIUM. +----+----+----+--------------+-------------- | | | | Express. | Ordinary. | | | +----+----+----+----+----+---- | 1st| 2nd| 3rd| 1st| 2nd| 3rd| 1st| 2nd| 3rd | | | | | | | | | 10 Miles | 2•25| 1•77| 1•05| 1•97| 1•57| 1•27| 1•65| 1•42| 1•12 50 Miles | 2•16| 1•60| 1•05| 1•76| 1•29| 0•83| 1•45| 1•07| 0•69 100 Miles | 2•15| 1•59| 1•0 | 1•75| 1•29| 0•78| 1•45| 10•7| 0•63 ----------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---- ----------+--------------+---------------------------------- Distances.| HOLLAND. | GERMANY. +----+----+----+--------------+------------------- | | | | Express. | Ordinary. | | | +----+----+----+----+----+----+---- | 1st| 2nd| 3rd| 1st| 2nd| 3rd| 1st| 2nd| 3rd| 4th | | | | | | | | | | 10 Miles | 2•20| 1•80| 1•10| 2•04| 1•48| 0•94| 1•81| 1•36| 0•82| 0•47 50 Miles | 2•02| 1•65| 1•01| 1•97| 1•46| 0•89| 1•79| 1•32| 0•75| 0•38 100 Miles | 2•02| 1•65| 1•01| 1•97| 1•46| 0•89| 1•78| 1•32| 0•75| 0•38 ----------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---- In the passage which we have quoted it is said that “the cost of materials” on the Continent is, “generally speaking, higher.” One cannot help observing the inconsistency of maintaining that the competition of the other countries by enjoying low railway rates injures the export trade of this country, and that the railways here have the advantage of obtaining fuel and rails cheaper. Is the latter statement clearly well-founded in view of the fact that German rails have been laid on some of the English lines, and that engines have also been supplied by Continental firms competing with home makers? The truth, probably, is that for the purposes of the present comparison the prices of coal and materials at the pits and works in each country may be taken to be about the same; that here, as abroad, there is great diversity of circumstances; that in each country some companies, whose railways are near collieries and ironworks, have the benefit of the lowest prices, while others obtain their supplies by sea or rail at an enhanced cost.