Answer.—According to the commissioner’s report for 1880-81, there were during the year fifty-four railroad companies operating roads in Illinois. Poor’s “Manual” gives the names of sixty-five companies operating roads in the State in 1882. It is difficult to state how many companies own these roads, for every year many of them change hands by lease or sale. There are more companies owning roads than there are operating companies. For instance, during the years 1880-81 six railroads were merged into the Wabash system, another was purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company, and still another was leased for an indefinite period by the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago. Probably the next annual report of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission will show exactly how many proprietary companies are still in existence. We have no data for an answer to your other question.

FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.

Mount Vernon, Iowa.

From what countries is most of the immigration to the United States? What proportion of the immigrants can read and write? Are any of them well educated? What was the immigration last year?

F. P. F.

Answer.—During the sixty years included between 1820 and 1880, the following countries were represented in the immigration to the United States, as here shown:

England894,444
Ireland3,065,761
Scotland159,547
Wales17,893
Netherlands44,319
Poland14,831
Portugal9,062
Russia38,316
Austria-Hungary65,588
Belgium23,267
Denmark48,620
France313,716
Germany3,002,027
Greece385
Spain28,091
Sweden and Norway306,092
Switzerland83,709
Turkey619
Italy70,181
All other countries1,161,875

Most of the immigrants from Sweden and Norway, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, and Scotland, are able to read and write; the majority of the others are illiterate. Many are very well educated, having enjoyed college privileges, and the advantages of travel. The total number of immigrants during 1882, was 788,992.