These are shares in the National Bank of France, which are limited to
the number of thirty thousand, and were originally worth one thousand
francs each; they therefore form a capital of 30,000,000 francs, or
£1,250,000 sterling, and afford as follows:
1. A dividend which at present, and since the foundation, has
averaged from eight to ten per cent, arising from the profits on
discount.
2. A profit of from four to five per cent more on the discount of
paper, which every holder of an _action_ or share effects at the
Bank, at the rate of one-half per cent per month, or six per cent for
the whole year.
The present price of an _action_ is about twelve hundred francs,
which may be considered as producing: