able features of the commerce of the period
was the importation of corn:--In 1858, wheat, 4,275,435 qrs.; barley,
1,673,477 qrs.; total of all grain, 11,572,702 qrs.: 1859, wheat,
4,023,578 qrs.; barley, 1,742,217 qrs.; total of all grain, 10,516,193
qrs.

In 1858 there was a reduction of taxation to the amount of L2,100,000;
new taxes were imposed to the extent of L456,780.

The rental value of land in England in 1859 was estimated at
L41,000,000.

The following statement of railway property at the close of 1858, is
from a return ordered in consequence of a parliamentary motion, made by
Mr. Henley, in the session of 1859:--"The grand total amount of
railway capital authorized by act of parliament previous to the 31st of
December, 1857, was L287,908,636 by shares, and L98,273,070 by loans. In
1858, L5,253,792 was authorized by shares, and L2,199,409 by loans. The
total capital and loans authorized previous to the 31st of December,
1858, was L392,682,755; L181,837,781 of the capital was not receiving,
nor entitled to receive, any preferential dividend or interest. The
total dividends on the share capital amounted to L6,161,099; L61,854,547
was the stock receiving, or entitled to receive, preferential dividend
or interest, to the amount of L829,331. The total debts of companies
at the end of 1858, amounted to L81,683,179; and the interest thereon
payable to L3,591,148. L325,375,507 was the total sum which at the
end of 1858 the railway companies had raised by shares or loans, and
L67,307,248 the total amount which at the same period they retained
power to raise, either by existing or by new shares, or by loans.
The total amount expended on railroad works and rolling stock was
L287.800,208. The total length of line and capital appropriated by
parliament for the construction of lines, for which the powers for the
compulsory purchase of land have been allowed to expire previous to
the 31st of December, 1858, without the exercise of such powers, were
respectively 2,534 miles, and L41,082,954."

The value of imports and exports to the United Kingdom for 1858 and 1859
was enormous. The following comparative view, based on the returns of
the board of trade, is therefore of much interest. The general increase
of exports in 1859 over 1858 was L13,831,671, while to the colonies
and the United States it was L14,022,424. The balance of our business
carried on with all other parts of the world resulted, therefore, in a
falling of