364 



GEEMAXY. 



representing a value of £51,108,980 in 1878. In addition to these, there exist 

 numerous people's banks, savings banks, and co-operative societies, supported by- 

 artisans, workmen, and small officials.* The activity of the Post Office bears 

 witness to the increasing commerce of the country.f But though Germany in 

 the aggregate is a rich country, its wealth is very unequally distributed, and 

 thousands of peasants are unable to procure wholesome nourishment in sufficient 



Fig. 209. — Railway Map of German v. 

 Scale 1 : 10,000,000. 



lOO Miles. 



quantities. Î Of recent years over- speculation has involved thousands in 

 ruin.S 



* In 1876 there existed 4,800 co-operative societies, with 1,400,000 members, and a capital of 

 £9,000,000. They transacted business to the extent of £132,000,000. 



t In 1876 there were 8,692 post-offices, with 71,020 officials. 1,333,106,91-5 articles were sent by 

 post, including 596,305,214 letters and 404,285,858 newspapers. The telegraphs had a length of 30,372 

 miles, and 13,394,070 telegrams were forwarded. 



X According to official returns 85 per cent, of the Prussian families subsisted on an annual income 

 of £30 or less. Of 403,456 persons proceeded against in 1875 for non-payment of taxes, 161,531 were too 

 poor to pay. The returns as to income are, however, untrustworthy, as the assessors in hardly a single 

 instance make true returns. Self- assessment, as practised in England, is unknown. 



§ Capital of 661 Prussian companies in 1872: — Nominal value, £446,000,000; value in 1£75, 

 £281,000,000; loss in three years, £165,0:0,000. 



