The Press.
London, England, 1855-12-29 00:00:00

DECEMBER 29, 1855.

sols closed last Friday at 881 to f, and they re-
mained at that quotation, with but insignificant
variations, until yesterday, when they began to show
some signs of weakness. They then closed at 88i
to I. Little or nothing, however, has been doing all
the week. To-day the closing prices were 88i to j.
Generally there is much difference of opinion as to
the probability of negotiations for peace. The Stock
Exchange is still divided into two large parties upon
the question, one cordial believers in the success of
the Austrian mission to St. Petersburg, and the
other extreme sceptics ; but neither are disposed to
operate extensively upon their opinions, unsupported
as both yet are by the arrival of specific news. All,
however, are ready for a spring either way. Much
of the present dullness is attributable, therefore, to
the existing suspense. An apprehension is also
prevailing that Savings-bank Stock will be put upon
the market.

In Railways but little has been done. The market
is certainly weaker from the same causes that affect
Consols. The settlement took place on Wednesday,
when the account proved extremely light. The next
account is fixed for January 16th. The traffics,
owing to the severe weather of last week, have rather
fallen off, but are still comparatively good.
Foreign Storks have been inactive, and prices are
all lower than last week, but the quotations are little
more than nominal. _ _

Joint-stock Bank Shares keep firm, and they are
likely to do so, considering the profitable bu3iness
that all of them have been doing this half year.
The Unity Bank commences business on the 15th of
January ; and the shares in the London and Paris
Bank are at a premium of sto j. The letters of
allotment were sent out yesterday, and the deposits
are to be paid by Thursday next. Bank Stock 205 j 6.
Exchequer Bills are Bs. to 4s. dis., and they have
been lower.
The French Three per Cents. have advanced
during the week from 64f. 55c. to 64f. ssc., princi-
pally through expectations of a conference for peace.
To-day they closed at 64f. 50c.
The half-yearly dividend of the Bank of France,
which is payable next Wednesday, is at the rate of
eight per cent. per annum. Had not so considerable
a sum been absorbed in premiums to keep up the
metallic reserve, the profits would have been adequate
to a division after the rate of ten per cent.
All dattlings in the New Russian Loan have been
prohibited upon the Paris Bourse by a resolution
similar to that adopted by the Stock Exchange
here.
A prospectns has been issued for the purchase of
the Surrey Zoological Gardens by a company to be
formed under the Limited Liability Act, with the
view of opening them for musical and other enter
tainments. The erection of a vast music-hall is con-
templated, and the services of M. Jullien have been
engaged provisionally for a period of five years.

Closing Prices.
rarrATioN.
Tamed. Wed. Thurs. Friday.
-----
1— O7l
;1 ,431 11 88J
38t4;d
(:) es 89} 8} ati I
ig
B—e \3061 6 205} 6
Z
i 7 4 4 d
t _ _ 8d

BRITISHFICI FUNDS.-
OFAL QI
Mond.
II per Cent. Consols
Ditto for Aocount
$ per Cents Reduced
8 per Cents
Long Annuities
Honk Stock, 7 per Cent —
(Minium
Exch. Bills, 2id. per diem 7
India Bonds, (1,0001.) —
SHARES.
Mond. Tuedd.
2‘.4 8
71 818

Rh ILIVAIS--

Aberdeen
Wolv. & Stour Val 1
Firiatol and Exeter
Caledonian
Chester and Holynead
Cork and Bandon
Dublin & Belfast June.
East Anglian
Eastern Uniou(B) •
East Lancashire
Eastern Counties ... •
Great Northern
Gt. Bth. and Wit of Ire.
Great Western
Lancashire & Yorkshire
Lon., Tilbury, &Stbend
Lon., Brighton, do
London and Blackwall

Frid.
22 3
71 8
79 81
34} i
10 2

102 4
52i 4
77
94 6

55 i
ll 2
5i did
11 2

17 9
69 70

99 70
81
3,i 8i
1102
61, 23
76 7

93 4i
83i 41

ti i
094 i
)168i 4