314 Mr Anderson on the Bailivays of Belgium. 



Several tables of fares have been dra\vn up at different times, 

 but none of them have given satisfaction. A Commission was 

 appointed in August 1841 to watch their effects, and to report 

 upon their results. Without entering on the working of the 

 different tariffs, it may not be uninteresting to state that the 

 fares were raised in 1839, and that a great diminution of pas- 

 sengers was the result. They have since undergone several 

 fluctuations ; and by the last tariff, they were fixed, with one 

 or two exceptions,* at 



1'14 pence per mile for the first class carriage 

 "93 ... ... ... second 



'5Q ... ... ... third 



or at the rate of nearly one shilling per ten miles for the first 

 class ; tenpence for the second ; and sixpence for the third. For 

 intermediate stations or distances of less than 6j miles, not 

 indicated by the table, 7^ pence is charged for the first ; 4f 

 pence for the second ; and 2f pence for the third class carriages. 

 These prices are doubled for stations distant more than 6g- 

 miles, and for intermediate minor stations distant more than 

 thirty-one miles, the price of the first principal station follow- 

 ing is charged. Passengers were allowed, previous to 1843, 

 to take luggage along with them into the carriages, free of ex- 

 pense, varying from 44 lb. to 55 lb. ; but since that time it has 

 been fixed at 44 lb. ; and they can also, by paying one-tenth 

 per cent, on the value of their goods, have them insured. 

 Children under eight years of age, accompanying theii- relations 

 or friends, are carried free of charge, provided they do not 

 occupy the places of passengers. The mails are carried gi-atis, 

 and the military at half the common fares. 



Small merchandise, carried by the passenger trains, costs 

 •39 pence per cwt. per mile, or about 7f pence per ton. The 

 smallest charge is about sixpence. For carriages of four wheels, 

 927 pence per mile; and for carriages of two wheels, 618 

 pence per mile is charged. The following is the table for 

 horses and cattle : — 



* The exceptions consist principally in this, — that the prices were 

 slightly raised for the sections from Brussels to Malines, and thence 

 to Termonde, and that they were lowered for the third class on the 

 south line. 



