The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

fflontg latatt anb Citg

FRIDAY EVENING.
TITE return of th, Bank of England for the week
ending Feb. 2 shows the following changes compared
with the return for the previous week :
Decrease in Circulation £206,117
Increase in Pudic Deposits
Increase in Other Deposits
Decrease in Go-ernment Securities 543,900
Increase in Privste Securities —.1,465,741
Increase in Bullion
Increase in Rest
Increase in Reseive 537,743
This comparison is satisfactory so far as regards
the addition to the stock of bullion and the increase
an the Reserve. It appears that all the bullion which
arrived in the week ending the 2nd inst. was pur
chased by the Bank ; and as gold may now be presumed
to be returning in small amounts from the East, we
may anticipate further additions to the stock, al-
though the competition for purchases on continental
account still continues. The account of the Govern-
ment is not much better than last week, for it will be
observed that the addition to the Public Deposits
nearly balances the diminution in the amount of
Government Securities ciaised by sales of Stoek.
The additions to the " Other Deposits" are consider-
able ; and it is believed that a large proportion have

been made by the Accountant-General of the Court
of Chancery, and other great trustees. The increase
in Private Securities is very large ; it shows the
heavy pressure to which the Bank was subjected last
week for advances, a process that has been repeated
to almost the same extent in the present week.
Money was in very great demand in the early part
of the week, in connection with the commercial bills
falling due on the 4th. On Wednesday it began to be
easier; but the market has since been stringent, and
there is no immediate prospect of much ease. Rates
are unchanged, and only good bills are taken at those
current in Lombard-street, which are a point lower
than are charged by the Bank. A wholesome dread
of speculation seems to pervade most classes of
capitalists, but in cases where reasonable and bonl
fide profits can be shown to arise from objects of
legitimate mercantile enterprise advances are made
with liberality, and shares subscribed without hesita-
tion. Several such undartakings are now receiving
encouragement and assistance in this way. But the
ordinary trade of the country has still to struggle
against the disadvantages of heavy discounts and a
disposition not to contract engagements of importance
until we shall have passed out of our present transi-
tion state with respect to peace or war. This affects
manufacturing production to a large extent, and, as
it naturally prevents the accumulation of stocks,
employment in many trades is irregular and uncertain.
Nevertheless, trade must be reported as sound and
improving, though the reduction of profits is a sub-
ject of general complaint.
The confidence felt by mercantile men in peace
with Russia is not abated. Nor is there any serious
apprehension of an interruption to our pacific rela-
tions with the United States. Still the subject is
causing anxiety, and dissatisfaction is expressed at
the silence of our own Government, knowing as they
do that the statements published in America are
already injuriously affecting commercial transactions
between the two countries. The pacific assurances,
however, of Lord Palmerston in the House of Com-
mons last night will mitigate this state of feeling.
Consols have not materially fluctuated during the
week. On Wednesday they showed a tendency to
decline, but they recovered upon a large purchase by
an influential broker. The general characteristic of
the week has been that of steadiness, owing to con-
tinued purchases on the part of the public whenever
they have drooped to 91 or thereabouts. The settle-
ment, which was concluded yesterday, passed over
well, though several failures, of no great amount, have
resulted from it. The Contango, which had ranged
from one-half to five-eighth early in the week, went
down yesterday to a quarter, and dealers proved
short of stock. This proved that the Account was
not so " bullish " as had been anticipated from the
extraordinary rise caused by the news of peace. The
closing price of Consols to-day was 911 to i, against
Ali to last Friday.

Railway Shares are not so firm as they were in the
early part of the week, and prices have generally
receded. Great Westerns are 31. lower than this day
week. Caledonians are also lower. The dividends,
many of which are still uncertain in amount, have
been the main cause of the tone giving way : it is,
moreover, considered that the maximum value of
most descriptions has been attained, bearing in
mind that the next is the worst of the two half-
years with respect to earnings. The weekly traffics
continue exceedingly good.
In Foreign Securities Turkish Six per Cents. have
been principally dealt in.
Joint-stock Bank Shares maintain their prices, with
a tendency to further improvement. Bank of Egypt
are at 4 to 41 pm.
The import of gold during the week has been
under 330,0001., the whole of which will be trans-
mitted to the Continent. Gold, however, seems
likely to come back from Constantinople, but it can
only be in small amounts for some time to come.
The General Iron Screw Collier Company have
divided five per cent., leaving a balance of 11,3541. in
hand. The capital is to be rearranged, and the un-
dertaking brought within the provisions of the Limited
Liability Act of 1855.

The London and County Bank have declared a
dividend of five per cent. for the half-year, with a
bonus of five per cent., equal to fifteen per cent. per
annum. The reserve fund is to stand at 100,0001.

The shares in the Western Bank of London are
being well placed. From the high character of the
direction, and the great influence of the shareholders,
this undertaking is certain to obtain a large propor-
tion of the best and most profitable class of banking
business. Joint stock Banks are now paying far
better than any other commercial investments ; and

their dividends are higher than at any other period
in oar financial history. The Western Bank of
London is, therefore, started at a favorable period,
and, being based upon principles of undoubted sta-
bility, we have no hesitation in commending it to the
attention of all who desire to obtain advantageous
returns upon their investments.
An attempt is being made by the Madras Railway
Company to obtain some modifications in the exist-