This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 Excerpt: ...would not be made for the immediate expansion of business which arose after January, 1870, in consequence of the large increase in the number of offices, and of the operation of the uniform shilling rate. In 1878 the population of Great Britain and Ireland was reckoned at 33,799,000, and this population exchanged a total of 24,600,000 messages. In France the population of 36,900,000, employed the telegraph to the number of 14400,000 messages, or upwards of 10,000,000 less than the number passed over the wires of this country. In Germany, with a population of 42,700,000, the number of telegraphic despatches was barely 100,000 more than those of France, or 14,540,000. The only cases in which the proportionate number of messages is at all larger than in Great Britain are those of Belgium and Switzerland. In neither of these States does the total number of messages amount to I per head of the population, and in Belgium the number forwarded is even closer to the British ratio as compared with population. But both these countries derive an exceptional advantage from the number of foreign telegrams passing through them, and not, as it were, resting within their borders. English messages are not swollen to any appreciable extent from this cause. Switzerland, moreover, has its native business largely increased by the host of locomotive and telegraphing foreigners annually attracted to the playground of Europe. Hence it may be fairly said that England is decidedly ahead of continental Europe in the matter of telegraphic employment. During the present year arrangements have been made for the erection of over 5,000 miles of new wire, intended to meet the demands upon the system made by the prospect of reviving trade. The cost will not add to capital sunk in telegraphs, ..