The Press.
London, England, 1854-08-19 00:00:00

THE COMMISSARIAT.
N J ono unacquainted with the actual requirements of an I
army cin form the smallest notion of the various duties
which devolve upon a eommissariat, or of the enormous
quantity of stores required fur the daily use of man and
horse. At this very moment the quantity of food supplied
for horses daily by the commissariat seems to a civilian
almost fabulous, and, as it is all drawn from store at Varna,
because the harvest is not yet thrashed in the country, the
exertions of the officers charged with the supply are tased
to the uttermost to keep pace with the demand, so as to
have a proper reserve. \Vhat do you suppose the daily
issue of rations for horses amounts to ? To no less than
111,039 pounds' weight of corn, chopped straw, &c. 110,000
pounds ! and this quantity will be increased day after day
as horses come in from the country. Add to this about
97,0 ).)lb. rations of meat, 27,0001 b. rations of bread, the
same quantity of rice, tea, coffee, sugar, cte., and it will be
seen that the commissariat has enough on its hands. lint
the issue and supply of rations is but a small portion of
their duty. They have to provide horses, carts, saddles,
packsaddles, tents, carriages for dragoons, light cavalry,
infantry, artillery, suppers and miners, and interpreters,
and to provide for the innumerable legitimate wants of an
army in the field. The supply of packsaddles is not equal
to the demand, and, notwithstanding all their exertions, the
commissariathave not yet been able to comply with the
orders given to them to furnish saddles for the interpreters
and various persons attached to the forces. Large as our
commissariat staff may appear they are worked to the very
uttermost. Commissary General Filler's office in Varna
is like a bank in the City in the height of business, and
various officers at their desks are to be seen writing away
as if their lives depended on it. The officers at the other
branch departments are equally busy, and in this hot
weather it is not unusual fur some of them to ride to
Varna and back to Devno, a distance of more than forty
miles, between sunrise and sunset.

Voneg Vadat nub (Litg Intelligtact.

FIIIDAY EVENING•
AT the close of last week the Consol Market showed
much firmness. Although Saturday is now almost a
complete holiday on 'Change, the transactions MI
proved in range and price. The official correspon-
dence between Russia and Austria, with the comments
of M. Drouyn de l'Huyes published in that morning's
papers, furnished the chief topic of conversation to
City circles, and was looked upon in a favourable light,
being almost universally interpreted as affording direct
evidence of the weakness and desperate condition to
which Russia has been reduced, and as a confession
on the part of the Czar that he sees no chance of
maintaining his ground against the formidable con-
federacy opposed to his designs. The last quotation
of the day established a rise of per cent., being
98i for money, and 931 for the account of the 17th.
Attention was absorbed early in the week between
the new Turkish loan and the approaching settling-
day in Consols. The market on the whole was how-
ever buoyant, and partial advances were noted from
time to time, but checked before long by some
extensive sales of real stock. The ruling quotations
throughout Monday and Tuesday were 931, the same
as on Saturday evening. Preparations for the
" account day " were actively made on Tuesday
to the neglect of almost all other business.
On Wednesday the market opened heavily, with
various unpleasant rumours flying about, as are
usual on the brink of the settling. As the day wore
on, however, it became known that the settlement
was progressing satisfactorily, the accounts being
arranged with few " difficulties," but that stock was
rather scarcer than had been anticipated. A decided
rally then took place, and at the termination of
business hours the market presented an appearance
of much firmness, with an improvement of prices.
Consols were done at 931, and left off only a shade
under that quotation.
Yesterday was the real settling-day in English
funds, and having passed without any awkward
casualty the riss in prices became more decided.
The scarcity of money stock also caused a demand
of one-sixteenth per cent. as " backwardation" for
carrying over to the September account. At one
time Consols were quoted as high as 941. This,
however, arose from the effect of adjustment tran-
sactions, and when accounts finally closed or carried
on, the prices relaxed again. Nevertheless, they still
ramained at. a higher range than at the opening, and
Taft off at 934 1 for transfer, and 931 for the Sep-
tember account.
To-day the market for public securities has been
well supported, the favourable account relative to the
progress of the harvest, and the diminished prices
of corn in the provincial market, having given firm •
ness to the English funds. The Money Market is
also easy. Gold continues to pour in almost daily,
while the demand for the Continent has ceased, al-
though much coin is still required for the war expe-
dition to the Mediterranean and the East.
Consols, after bargains at 931 for money, and 94
fe. the 13th of September, leave off at 931 94 for
b nth money and account. Reduced Three per Cents.
have been dealt in at 94, and the Three and-a-Quar-
t3r per Cents. at 941 941. Bank Stock from 208 to
21.0. Exchequer Bills quiet. Exchequer Bonds 981
981, and the 1859 issue 984.