200 Mr. Lionel B. Wells on the 



nated in England, 1,200 miles of canals were constructed 

 and improvements made on a great number of navigable 

 rivers. In 1847 the tolls levied amounted to £400,000 per 

 annum. The Government then decided that the time had 

 come for taking over the control and management of water- 

 ways. In the earlier days of the Second Empire it was 

 decreed that several of the chief lines of canals should be 

 purchased at once by the State. At this time railway con- 

 struction was proceeding rapidly in France, but instead of 

 handing over the competitive routes to the railway com- 

 panies, the repurchase of waterways by the State was kept 

 steadily in view. By a decree of 1852, definite lines were 

 laid down for determining the prices to be paid for them 

 under arbitration. 



It was not, however, until after 1863 that the powers of 

 repurchase were exercised to the full extent, and by 1869 

 the work had been completed, and a decree was made 

 fixing low rates of tolls for two different classes of water- 

 ways. These tolls continued to be levied on the State 

 canals until 1880, when they were abolished, and the canals 

 made free. 



The Minister of Public Works publishes for sale an 

 official guide of the internal navigation. Much of the 

 information contained in the guide is graphically represented 

 on a map accompanying it, which shews approximately :— 

 (I.) The character of the waterways comprised in the 

 French system. (II.) The general conditions of navigation 

 on them. (III.) The lengths of various waterways, and of 

 distances from place to place on the principal lines of traffic. 

 (1.) The waterways are distinguished, according to their 

 character, as canals or rivers, as defined in the Official 

 Guide. The portions floatable are coloured. (2) The 

 waterways are divided into two classes. In the first class 

 are all those of which the depth is 2 metres (6ft. 6^in.) and 

 upwards, and the locks not less than 38*5 metres (126ft. 3m.) 



