as afforded in a recent discussion on
railway management in Russia, published by the _Journal_ of the German
Railroad Union. During this debate it appears that the details were
published of the famous contract of the late American Winans with the
Government concerning the Nicholas Railroad. By the use of considerable
money, Winans succeeded in making a contract, to extend from July 1st,
1866, for eight years, by which the Government was to pay him for oiling
cars and small car repairs at an agreed rate per passenger and per ton
mile. In addition to this he received a fixed sum of about 15,000 pounds
(78,000 dols.) per year for painting and maintaining the interior of the
passenger cars; 6,000 pounds for keeping up the shops, and finally 8,000
pounds yearly for renewing what rolling stock might be worn out. The St.
Nicholas line was eventually taken over by the Great Russian Company,
which in 1872 succeeded in making the Government annul the contract by
paying Winans a penalty of 750,000 pounds, which the Great Russian
Company paid back with interest within four years. If the contract had
been continued it would have cost the company more than one-third of its
net earnings, since the saving amounts to nearly 523,000 pounds per
annum. Another contract which the Government had made for the same road
with a sleeping-car company was settled shortly afterward by the
Government taking from the company the few cars it had on hand, and
paying 75,000 pounds for them and 10,000 pounds a year for the unexpired
seven years of the contract.

MR. BRASSEY'S STRICT ADHERENCE TO HIS WORD.

The following is one of such stories, illustrative of one phase of Mr.
Brassey's character--his strict adherence to his word, under all
circumstances.

When the "Sambre and Meuse" was drawing towards completion, Mr. Brassey
came along as usual with a staff of agents inspecting the progress of the
work. Stopping at Olloy, a small place between Mariembourg and Vireux,
near a large blacksmith's shop, the man, a Frenchman or Belgian, came
out, and standing up on the bank, with much gesticulation and flourish,
proceeded to make Mr. Brassey a grand oration. Anxious to proceed, Mr.
Brassey paid him no particular attention, but good naturedly endeavoured
to cut the matter short, with "Oui, oui, oui," and at length got away,
the Frenchman apparently expressing great delight.

"Well, gentlemen, what are you laughing at, what is the joke?" said