The Press. — London, England, 1856-01-12 00:00:00

along varl►ct anb gitg VRIDO Evionso. THE return of the Bank of England for the week ending January 5, being the first for the yettr 1850, shows the following changes compared with that for the preceding week: Increase in Circulation 1'246,577 Decrease in Public Deposits Increase in Other Deposits 245,828 Increase in Government Securities 401423 Increase in Other Securities Increase of Rest 49,993 Decrease of Bullion Decrease of Reserve This is an exceedingly unfavorable comparison. There is scarcely an item in it which is satisfactory. The decrease in the amount of Public Deposits is re markable, as it cannot be owing to the payment of the dividends, inasmuch as that process only com menced on Wednesday, two full business days after the return was made up. It is apprehended that the necessities of the Chancellor of the Exchequer must have been such as to compel him, however un willingly, to dip into this fund, whilst, at the same time he bas evidently been a large borrower, from the additions made to the mass of Public Securities. The increase in the Private Deposits is probably due to payments on account of the late instalment of the Turkish loan. The diminution in the Reserve is explained by the increase in both classes of securi ties, and it is apparent from the respective amounts of those items that the demand for assistance was much less from the public than from the State, although the period embraced by the return in cluded the date upon which commercial bills gene rally fall due. The decrease of bullion is consider able, and only to be accounted for by the continuous drain from the seat of war, and by the demand from the Continent. The diminution has now been pro gressing for several weeks, and the stock appears to be gradually falling to an amount which must force the Batik to some strong effort for its protection. It was thought that with this object the rate of interest would have been advanced yesterday, but no change was made. From this many persons infer that matters will be more favorable next week : but, in the meantime, the present return is certainly the worst we have had, in nearly all essential respects, since 1847. It was said to-day that the Directors will, if pos• Bible, avoid making any advance upon the present rates of interest until after the new loan is announced. The monthy debtor and creditor account of the Bank of France was published this morning. It is of a much more unfavorab:e character than wag anticipated. The coin and bullion both in the Bank in Paris and in the branches show a considerable diminution. In the former it amounts only to 81,184,345 f., against 80,614,747 f. in December ; and in the branches to 118,420,113 f., against 132,280,937 t. in the previous month. The aggregate diminution is 19 291,220 f., or nearly SOO,OOOI. The discounts have increased 29,628,555 f., or more than 1,10 1,000/. ; while the Treasury balances have decreased 850,000 t. This account does not appear, from the telegraphic despatch, to contain the item which appeared in that for last month of " Premiums on the purchases cf gold and silver," but they are probably included under the head of " Sundries," for they have in creased from 98,394 f. to 1,610,142 f. Money has been in active demand all the week, both on the part of the public and of the Stock Exchange. From the public it has been owing in a great measure to the still prevailing desire to be pre pared for the time when the operations of the Bank and the necessities of the Government may render it dearer. In fact, bankers and capitalists are adding to their reserves. For strictly commercial purposes the call has not been in any way remarkable, not so much, indeed, as might have been expected at a time when arrangements are in pr• gross for the opening of the spring and summer trades. If anything, there appears to be rather a general contraction of mer cantile engagements at the present moment. Few houses in any branch are under contracts of more than an ordinary character ; and there is a total ab sence of speculative movement. This accounts for the moderation of the mercantile demand, and in itself it is a wholesome feature under present circum stances ; but it is to be feared that it is also indica tive of a coming limitation of operative employment. The demand from the Stock Exchange has been owing to the pressure of the Consol settlement which has taken place during the week. Rates have been paid there by borrowers upon Government Stock for short periods varying from five to six per cent. The average has been five and a half. The account proved very heavy, and those who operated a fortnight or three weeks ago, in the anticipation of an advance upon the then quotation s , have been emisiaerable sufferers. Most of the names passed for Stock yesterday were those of bankers, showing fitat they have been making large advances. •The arrivals of specie anthig the weekbave been but small, and they have been neutralised by the ex ports. The New York packet brought 60,000/. in gold on Tuesday, but none of it was for this country. It had all been purchased beforehand, on continental account—an operation still in progress, as further insurances have been effected in Liverpool on gold freights from New York. The 01,0001. in gold, brought by the West Indian packet last Friday, has been divided between the Bank of England and the Bank of France ; and the latter establishment has also taken the greater part of the Mexican silver which came at the same time. It is hoped that this large purchase, which amounts to 500,0001., will cor rect the French exchanges, which are still adverse, but the result is (lowan'. The Tay brolight 28,742/. feom Brazil, the destination of which is not vet known. The exports of specie in the week have been 60,456/. to Lisbon and Cadiz, and 12,000/. to Brazil. We have no advices of further shipments of specie from Australia, and about 400,000/. is now overdue; while the exchanges on Paris, Hamburg. and New York, will not bring in supplies, in the ordinary course of business, from those markets. There has been considerable fluctuation in Con sols during the week, owing to the settlement having added to the demand for money, and to continued unfavourable rumours as to the result of the pro posed negotiations for peace. The closing price last Friday was 871 to 1, a fall of 11 having thus been established from the quotations of the preceding week. On Monday they opened for money at 861 to 87, and fell to 861 to ; on Tuesday to 881 ; and on Wednesday to 86, a large sale having during the day been made so low as 851. Yesterday they re covered, closing at 861 to 1 for the 7th February; and to-day they left off at 861 to 1. There was some fluctuation during the afternoon, and the de cline was owing to the unfavorable return from the Bank of France, with respect to the metallic re serve, and the increased amount of advances upon securities. Foreign Stocks, except Turkish, have been almost wholly neglected. The Six per Cents. have fluctu ated between 811, at which they left off on Saturday, and 801. They closed to-day at 791 to 80. The Gua • ranteed Stock has fallen $ per cent. It is now 41 to ' $ dis. for the account. The seventh, and last, instal ment of 10/. per cent. of this loan is due on the 25th inst. With the premium of 21. 12s. el added, the payment then to be made is 121. 12s. ed. per cent., and it will amount to 651,2501. The fir.!t dividend is due February 1. Railway Shares have declined in sympathy with Consols ; but on the whole prices are firm. The traffics continue good, and several lines are expected to pay increased dividends. The Great Western will probably be found among the number. Nearly all, tt is anticipated, will have large balances, if dividends should not be increased ; but it must be remembered that the debentures falling due in the half year just ended have had to be renewed at higher rates of interest, owing to the increased dearness of money. The Eastern Counties Company are to bold another meeting on the 25th. Several of the half-yearly meetin4s have already been held, and those of the great companies are in progress of announcement. Exchequer Bills 7s. to 3s. dis. Miscellaneous Shares have not shown any move ment during the week. Joint-stock Bank Shares all keep up. The Colo• nial have de Aare(' a dividend at the rate of five per cent. Nearly the whole of the first deposit on the shares in the London and Paris Bank has been paid, and the charter has been applied for. A suspension in the Cape Trade, with liabilities to the extent of 25,0001., is announced. The Bank of Prussia has raised its rate of interest from four and a half to five per cent. The estate of Messrs. Palmer aril Greeve, of the Lichfield Bank, is expected to pay 12s. O. in the pound. The. Baltic navigation is still open, and an active trade appears to be now carrying on between the Russian ports. THE ALKALI TRADE.—The following extract rela tive to the alkali trade is from the "Annual Trade Circular " of William Candeny, Esq., Fenchurch street, London, and presents a better feeling as to the prospects of soda manufacturers than.was exhibited in the early part of last year:— Chemicals have more or less felt the depression of Us le, consequent on the war with Russia. the continental demand which generally is very great, dwindling almost to nothing; on the other hand, the demand from the United States has been good, which makes up in some degree the falling off of orders from the Continent; as the autumn approached this demand increased, in consequence of a general rise in price. Soda Crystals.—The unprecedented depn asion which took place in this article at the close of and spring of 184.5, was succeeded by an active demand, with a corresponding advance in price, which has been well sustained throughout the whole year. As the consumption of bicarbonate in the United States has every appearance of being on the increase, we may expect the supply of crystals of soda to be more limited, so that in all probability a further advance will take place. There is no stock in the manufacturers' or consumers' hands, Sofia Ash, in common with crystals, has been greatly l ' es pressed, especially in the early part of the year, which was further aggravated by a large quantity from a bank. rupt's stock having been forced on the market at the worst period of depression. The opening, however, of the sprin g shipment to Germany, and a growing confidence iu the continental trade, together with a favorable change iu the markets of the United States, have restored Prices, and the demand has steadily progressed, and exhibAs even at this dull season of the year unusual activity in the home in.irket, so that many of the German orders remain un. executed. Considering the increased production of Oil article, at no period has it manifested a better or mor e healthy demand than it does at present, proving beim d doubt that its consumption is more a question of cost th n otherwise. Indeed, tins can to no matter of surprise when it is considered that in almost all the productive arta, soda ash and crystals of soda form necessary elements, and whatever interferes with the general manufactures of the country, aflects in a greater or less degree the demand for these products. iii-Carbonate y Soda having had, of late years, its chief market in the United States of America, wits considerably affected by the recent mone tary derangements in that country; consequently shippers were unwilling to operate, except at very low prices, and some sales were accordingly effected as low as 101. to Pg. Ills. per ton. This produced a reaction, and the make has been curtailed, and manufacturers now decline to enter into any new engagements, except at an advance of 31. to 41. per ton, and even with such an advance they ate pot desirous to make contracts. Bleaching Powder, with the preceding articles, has had its fluctuations, but has lately manifested improvement, and the advance is fully maintained. BRITISH FUNDS.— Closing Prices. OFFICIAL QUOTATION. Mond., T uesd. Wed. Thurs. i Fri liy. 3 per Cent.Consols 5t1 , 844 1 66/ 86 / Ditto for Account .3 per Cents Reduced 1 873 6 87 6i 7\ 661 3 per Cents Long Annuities Bank Stock, 7 per Cent — .40617/ 207 5 208 7 204/ 7 Omnium Exch. Bills, 2d. per diem d 4d 4 9 d 9 4 38 d 4 61 India Bonds, I Sd 5 ! 2d BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and eith Victoria, cap. 33 for the week ending on Saturday, the 6th day of Jan., 1856. ISRUIC DEPkItTMENT. Not es issued .... 44,421,160 Government Debt /11,015,100 Other Securities .. 3,459,400 Gold Coin ek Bullion 3,946,180 Silver Bullion .... £24,421,15j 424,421.160 BANKING Di erourletorts`Capitalgl4,3o.ooo -test eublic Deposits* 6,311.1311 )thor Depogts • 13,6U7,81$ Seven Dity oche! 13111. :PARTMENT. Ooverument Seen• rides (including Dead WeightAn.i 40.827,515 Other Securities 19,871,a74 Notes Gold t Silver Coin 090,729 819,795 436,810,493 issiouers of Frid. 22 3 71 8 ti! lu 3l si t 5 4 4 11 2 17 9 69 70 X 074 103 THE PRESS. SouuDAY, 136,81%493 ► • Including Exch,quer, Savings Banks, National Debt. and Dividend Accounts. SHARES. Mow,. rifted. RAILWASS--• t berdeen dirm. NVolv. 4 titour Val drietol and Exeter Jaledouian Thester and HoVaud Jork and Bandon Dublin & Belfast June. east Auglieu Eastern linion (.1.3) East Lancashire Eastern Counties Great Northern Sth. and Wst of Ire. Great Western Lancashire.t Yorkshire Lou., Tilbury, &Sthend Lon., Brighton, &a Loudon and 13lackwall London and Nrth•West. itiilland Newmarket• Newry and Enniskillen NorMik \rthrn. Counties Union North Britkh North Staffordshire.. will-Western Jif., Wrcatr., and Wolv licottiali Central Scottish Midland South Devon iouth•Easiern and Dov. South. Western -;.outli Wales Waterford & Limerick M ISCIILLAN COU 8— A ustralian Agricultural Canada Crystal Palace Crystal Palace of Fiance unit British A us. Laud Peel River Land & Mir. Scottish Aust.. Invest.' South Australian Land Van Dietnen's Land Pee Cent. Brazilian Danish 5 Dtch. (Ex 13 Guil )Ze French 8 Do. 4i Do. Bank Stock Xi nieitn $ Peruviau 44 Portuguese 4 Russian 5 Spanish S Tuthill Scrip Acc 4 I .?: II l ri : 70 81ow iil 530 4t43f 43 10 2 10 2 -- -- 5 45 1 3 43 1 11 a.tt 2 17 9 17 9 691740304 i 184: in ;)1 4 111:1 8! 31 1 2 l i : 1 -- -- 1 93 4 93 4 6 a 5i 6 93f 44 . 93 f 41, 63 I'o3 i i 74 li 41 45 5 43 3 I 1 281 9a' t. 4 : 41 I - 28t 9, :61 41 21 3 I 101 !73 ,11 2 34 7 84 5 'B5 101 3 73 5 11 .56 7 64. 4 65 7 Wed. 2 3 7j 8 79 81 .)83 4 10 2 115 41' 11 2 17 1 ti 9 70 d it '7 8 02 41 Si 6I .1.14 4 32) 3' 42 4 6 1 idl 4 $ 1 21 $ 101 b b l $ 101 14 Sd 84 5 65 7 26 8 128 xcl . 2 i : 4,4 1 I I , .1# ;si ll t 1 134 6'34 6 164 64 154 6yl REIGN FUN 11bucl. Tuesd. 1 93i i I 1 93 .631 xd .63:36c.!6:1fJ6e i ' 31! :)0e . 91:* SOc —ti I . ) 434 z2l — ,3 1 44 1 4 ha' 4 i :Thur. t 22 lye b ,79 81 110 - 2 28 8 1.15 id 1 i 1 Id 2 9 7u l• lj 34 6 is 6 108. 8 102 :51i 2 :76 j 1i '931 44 - 14 '2B 8 1 125 xd; X 26 8 1 128 xd I It 1 . - 42 4 28 9 at ;4 4i vi 20 lul 3 73 101 ti di A 611 115 I 26 s islo 6 9 ! 34 6 13 6 Friday. 0 331 xd wed. ,Thun.i '361 ni 1 - if 63 i 631 a(k :163: c i 62: 9Sed : 91:25c.51:30,:1 101 1 T* 4 104 11 54 44 5 163 7 I a", "b $ )3 4 51 6 331 4 0 i i I}