The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-12 00:00:00

PER CENTAGE.

1843 ... 10.10 ... 27.80 ... 62.10 ... 100
1844 ... 10.75 ... 27.66 ... 61.58 ... 100

1845 11.54 ... 28.19 ... 60.23 ... 100
As we eannotelaow in detail the expenses of each Eng-
lish line, we *hall refer to a very sufficient proof of what
is the real profit on an English fare and on a Belgian
fare. That is to take the whole traffic on the English
railways and the whole traffic on the Belgian railways
sad compare the whole profit.

lIIIIIRER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED.
Beig.una.. England.
1844 ... ... 3,360,862 27,763,092
1845 ... 3,443,066 33,791,253
RECEIPTS FOR PASSENGERS.
1844 ... .£246,662 £3,439,294
1845 ... 255,732 3,976,341
RECEIPTS FOR GOODS.
1844 ... ... 202,558
111,6 240,396
TOTAL RECEIPTS.
449,22
496,128
TOTAL PROFITS.
218,602
258,064

1,035,330
2,233,373

1844 ... ...
1845 ... ...

5,074,674
6,209,714

1944 ... ...
1845 ... ...

2,943,310
3,361,634

Proportion of English traffic in 1845, Belgium being
taken as one:— _ . _

Number of pas;engers
Receipts for passengers l5
Receipts for goods
Total receipts
Total profits l3
It appears from these figures that whereas the number
of passepgers in England is tenfold, and the receipts fif-
teenfokl, the total profits are only thirteenfold ; so that
the difference between the English and Belgian charges
is not caused by the profits, but chiefly by the extra ex-
pense caused by the higher rate of speed, and the heavy
rates and taxes.
As the income-tax is chargeable on the net profit and
returns to the Government, this must be deducted from
the English profit.
The comparison of a Belgian fare per mile, and an
English fare will, therefore, stand thus:—
Belgian fare. English fare.
100 150

65
2;4

'Profit 5O
Less incoxre-tax —.
Net prefit
"Working charges 5O 87
Excess of profit on English fare 50:63 = 13
„ working charges „

50
•Assaming the English profits to be as stated by Dr,
Lesdneir, and the rate of speed the same as the Belgian,
and the lines exempt from taxation, the English fares
Would be to the Belgian as 113 to 100, or thus:—
English. Belgian.
let class
§d class
3d class

The difference between the English charges and the
Belgian is, therefore, caused chiefly by the greater ac-
commodation and heavier taxation; and the true average
of charge is not, as stated by the Edinburgh Review, and
thOforrisoniaus, but as follows:

Error on
English. Belgian. English.
Ist class
2d class
3d claps
Instead of the difference between the English and Bel-
gian second. class fares being, as stated by Dr. Lardner,
1'06d., it is not more than 0,4, so that the doctor, on
that head, is 66-100ths of a penny wrong; and it is upon
Shares such as these that railway companies and railway
daeotors are run down.

The comparison of the proportion of the several classes
of fares is also more favourable to English lines than is
supposed, allowance being made for the influence of
through traffic.
England. Belgium.
First class
Second class ... 43'50
Third class- 40.00
The reason why English ltaes, notwithstanding their
%soy cost of construction as compared with the Belgian
abe. pay as well, is not on account of the higher sate of
afit but
oa 164:a maze:ot:tut oftherebeing three times as much
of English railway, as on a mile of Bel-
giku railway.
ecqmParinz English lines and Belgian lines it must
be reineme&that ac great deal
tof the cheap and slow
traffic rn England is
testeamers, so that if this
nt of real third-class
-II taken into account, the by
travelling in England is muchxlasrsgter than in Belgium.
The greatest amount of third-cla
on those lines where there is no other accinoEramngoidaantidot by steam-boat or slow conveyance.
What is most remarkable in England is the vast
tint of second-class travelling, showing the great Z:consmodation afforded to the commercial community, and
the vast means possessed by that important class to
whom, time is of such peculiar value.

• The figures for 1843-4 are taken from the Report of the
pliniNter of Public Works, the last published. The figures
for 1845 have been obtained from Mr. Brackatone Baker,
lotrotary Qf the Deudra YAlley Railmgy.