the wide scope for protection arising out of their Patent system, while at the same time it is yet a fact worthy of remark, that neither England nor France have been able to make up their minds as to reforming a system the numerous defects of which are universally recognised. In Germany the same difficulties do not present themselves to the same extent, the less prolixity of our Patent institution not affecting the industrial part of the nation in nearly the same ratio. The whole system in this country has been less active in all directions; proof of this is given by the statistics of Patents, as compared with those taken out abroad. The actual items in 1867 were as follows:— For Prussia 103 Patents. ” Saxony 179 ” ” the Thuringian Union 33 ” ” Brunswick 32 ” ” Hesse 20 ” ” Oldenburg 12 ” ” Bavaria 214 ” ” Würtemberg 139 ” ” Baden 46 ” Whereas, in 1866, there were granted— In England (including the provisional protections) 3,453 In France about 4,400 In Belgium ” 1,700 And in the United States ” 9,450 In Prussia, on account of the rigidly adhered-to preliminary inquiry, 87 per cent. on an average of the Patents applied for during the last ten years have been non-suited, and only from 50 to 100 requests a year were granted. Besides, it is scarcely subject to a doubt that even of these only a small number has been turned to practical use. Again, the amount of privilege the Patent ensures is less in Germany than abroad, as in conformity with the clauses of the Treaty of 21st September, 1842 (and which provisions should be kept in force under any circumstances), a Patent does not confer upon its proprietor (not taking into view machinery or instruments) a prohibitory right against the importation, sale, or consumption of foreign articles.[7]