The Press.
London, England, 1856-03-22 00:00:00

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FRIDAY EVENING.
TO. DAY being Good Friday business has been en-
tirely suspended in the City. All the public offices,
including the Bank, the inda-house, the Custom-
house, the Excise and Stamp Offices, and the Stock
Exchange, are closed.
The return from the Bank of England for the week
ending the 15th instant, shows the following changes
compared with that of the week preceding :

Decrease in Circulation 4148,369
Increase in Public Deposits 1,129,938
Decrease in Other Deposits
Increase in Securities 336,085
Increase in Bullion . 3,156
Increase in Best
Increase in Reserve . 129,926
Circulation, including Bank Post
Bills
Bullion iu Both Departments

This comparison shows no change of any great
importance, except in the amount of Public Deposits,
which, by the payment of twenty-five per cent. of the
loan instalments, are now increased to 5,5116,1241.
The decrease in Private Depos►ts, which has been
considerable fur the last fortnight, is owing in some
measure to the greater activity of trade; wh►le the
increase in Securities is exclusively in those of a pri-
vate description. The addition to the bullion is
tr►titng; but the Reserve is stronger.

THURSDAY EVENING.
The Money Market during the week has been com-
paratively easy. The demand fur commercial pur-
poses has been but moderate, while the supply has
been more than adequate to it. .10-day there was a
little more stringency, especially in connection with
produce hilts, and for a certain class 01 paper no
discounts could be had ; but, en the whole, the mar-
ket may be described as more favorably situated
than last week. Rates, however, remain unchanged,
and are likely to remain so. One cause of the im-
provement has been the certainty of the approaching
announcement of peace. This, by reviving the confi-
dence of parties who have been putting aside re-
serves since last October, has induced some to offer
their money at call at rather lower than the current
rates, and so the supply has been increased. Be-
sides, a considerable amount of the instalment of
1,250,0001. paid on account of the loan on the 13. h
inst. having been disbursed by the tiovernrnent to
contractors and others, has returned into the market.
The great improving element, however, has been
peace. Still it is doubted by many persons of prac-
tical experience in monetary influences whether,
even with peace in immediate prospect, the present
ease is not merely temporary. Some, indeed, are of
opinion that we may have a considerable reacuon
before the end of next week. The former dwell
upon the small imports of gold and the necessity for
checking speculative tendencies by
making moneydear ; the latter to the heavy loan of 25 per cent., .r
1,250,0001., to be paid on the 29th inst., coin bitted with
the preparations to meet the commercial bills falling
due a few days afterwards. Considering these cir

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MARCH 22, 1856.
e--
umstances, and many incidents associated with them
which it is unnecessary to specify, we see no solid
reason for questioning the judgment of those Rho
believe that the improvement is not at present likely
to prove permanent.
On the Stock Exchange the average value of
money on loan for short periods is four and a half
per cent.; but a transaction has been effected in the
course of the week at a considerably reduced rate—
it is said. The period, however, was
three per cent.,
very short.
The specie imports since our last have amounted
in value to 252,0001. Of this nearly 50,0001. have
been on French account : 401001. of it has been in
silver. The exports, so far as they have yet been
ascertained, have amounted in value to 469,000/.
With the exception of about 60,0001., the whole has
been in silver; and it has gone exclusively to the
East Indies and China, the demand from which
continues very great. Gold, in sovereigns, is
gradually returning in small amounts from Con
stantinople and Paris; but the effect of the transfer
is neutralised, so far as Paris is concerned, by the
systematic purchases of gold by the Bank of France
at a premium, though the loss averages 50,0001. per
month, and by the Government remittances to Con-
stantinople, which are at least 100,000/. per week.
The ship Emma, from Melbourne, with 167,66t41. in
gold on board, is now overdue, having been 103
days out.
Consols, which closed last Saturday at 921 to for
the 10th April, closed to-day at the same quotati n.
Thera has, however, been some fluctuations in the
meantime, though the market, on the whole, may be
described as steady, with a tendency to advance.
The lowest price of the week has been, for the Ac.
count 921 t 1, and for money 911 to 95 ; but when-
ever these prices have been made, the public have
invariably come in for investments. Their opera-
tions are influenced solely by the general conviction
of peace. Indeed they have been steady purchasers
in small amounts all the week. Their dealings, to-
gether with some considerable purchases yesterday
by one or two banks for money, with a view to selling
for the Account, have sustained the tone of the
market, until it may now be described as decidedly
improving Speculative transactions have rather
diminished than otherwise; but the recent purchas-
ers for a rise, who are under engagements for the
10th August, do not at present appear disposed to
close their transactions.
The Railway Market has not shown much activity;
prices however are well supported, though in some
Stocks a partial decline has occurred. All the great
lines keep up; and the East Indian undertakings
have not receded from the advance which commenced
at the end of last week. The Belgian lines are look-
ing up. Traffics continue very good. Altogether, it
would not surprise us, especially if money happens
to continue easy, if a considerable rise were to take
place shortly upon several of the leading lines.
Foreign Securities are firm. Some descriptions
are advancing. Although several Stocks have been
attracting attention in this market, business generally
has been far from active. The chief operations have
been in Turkish Six per Cents, which now touch 98.
Russian Fives are recovering; and Spanish Threes,
as will as the Deferred have been dealt in specula-
tively.
The new Joint-stock Bank undertakings do not
appear to be making much progress. Quotations
are about the same as this day week.
Consol Scrip, 21 to pm. Exchequer ditto, 21 to
pm. Exchequer Bills (June) par., March 2s. to
The French Three per Cents. closed last night at
72fr. 30c. for the Account. Last Saturday they closed
at 73I'r. 40c. The decline therefore has been equal
to nearly li per cent., notwithstanding the birth of
an Imperial prince, and the general conviction of
peace. Both these events had been " discounted."
A considerable failure in the Tallow trade has oc-
curred in Liverpool owing to the fall in that article,
which has been very great during the last ten days.
The trade and manufacturing reports of the week
are for the most part favorable; but all mention
complaints of unremunerative profits. The Indian
mail brings advices of a fair demand for Manchester
goods. The export trade to the United States is
also improving.
BANK OF ENGLAND.
As Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and 9th Victoria, cap. At
for the week ending on Saturday, the 15th day of March, 6.
Notes issued ,ISRUC DIEPARTMENT.
.. A 24,378,093 Government Debt 411,015300
Other Securities .. 3,459,900
Gold Coin it Bullion 9,905,05
Silver Bullion ....
424,373,035 424,378,195
R?lca BANKING DCPARTYZNT.
_st
st7olo C pita 1514,553,000 Government Semi-
ri
Deadtle W( ((Including
gehl ut
Ad inn.! 411451.006
nirc jeaa.pP.o°:i 5%155312°1
ts 12,650,333 Other Securities .. 12.2h3,0!8
7 t other Bills .......... 758,330 GNooltdesct Silver Coln 6 6886014111
437 271, 339 437,271,369
atx
• Including Ezell er, Savings Banks, Commissioners at
0141 Debt, Nand Dividend Accounts