The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-11 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL AND MARKETS.

MINCING•LANE.—THIS DAY.
SI:MAR.—The public sales are going well, and the fine
grocery qualities of l'orto !tie° are in good demand. The
refined market steady; brown lumps, 435.; grocery, 43a. ed.
to 481. ed.

Corrl4ll.—The public sales 0(550 euks Plantation Ceylon
ere progressing steadily. Native sold by private contract
at 455. to 455. 61.
TRA.—The.trade see buying steadily; fins has become
rather scarce. and higher prices asked.
Rica continues dull and drooping.
SALTPETRE.—Refraction 6 and under maintain previous
rates; other sorts very difficult of sale.
Russian produce is affected by political reports, aril
prices must be considered partly nominal.
Rur—The demand continues very limited, and sales to
any extent could not be made without giving way in prices.
In other article. no *material alteration. Markets gene-
rally dull.

TALLOW MARKET.—THIS DAY.
The tallow market has reacted considerably. Yestereay
evening forced sales were made at 58e. Early this morning
59e. was paid, and subsequently 595. 6d., whereat there
are buyers for all periods.

SMITHFIELD HAY MARKET.--THIS DAY.

Mr. E. J. Davis reports the trade without alteration.
Prime meadow bay, 70s. to 80c; superior, 84s. to 905.; in-
ferior, 50s. to 603.; rowan, 60s. to 755.; clover, 90s. to 116. ;
second cut, 80/. to 100 o.; straw, 225. to 270. I

THE MANCHESTER GAS WORKS.—Adeording to n
statement made by Mr. Alderman Shuttleworth, chair-
man •f the gas committee, in the Manchester town
council, yesterday, the Manchester Gas Work., first
established in 1817, but for which an act of par-
liament was not obtained until 1824, have had to un-
dergo alteration within the last ten years almost amounting
to a total reconstruction. Up to 1824 the works were al-
leged to have cost about 40,000/. The cost to the present time
exceeds 400,0001. The total length of the mains at the present
time is estimated at between 170 and 180 miles, and the
number of meters fixed is about 39,000. The increase of
business last year over the previous one was about 10 per
cent., and it goes on at an increasing ratio. The present
production of gas in the works is, in round numbers,
600,000,000 feet, and the capacity of the ground now pos-
sessed by the corporation, and which the committee are
gradually filling with apparatus, will enable them to pro-
duce 1,200,000,000 cubic feet per annum. The price of gas
to consumers is on a graduated scale of 41. to Si. per thou-
sand feet. Out of the profits of these works the committee
are able to pay over for public purposes between 35,0001.
and 40,000/ per annum ; one half of which sum goes to the
making of public improvements in the City, and the other
half to diminish the water-rate to the public.
MILITARY PASTIME.—On Christmas-day last twin
privates belonging to the depot of the 99th Regiment, and
named J. Gibson and Thomas Oallougher, entered the bar-
rack-room during the time, the troops were at chapel or
away, sad, after expending their military ardour in ward.,
proceeded to take the barrack-room table, on which they
roughly sketched a figure to represent the Emperor
Nicholas, placing the table on end against the well, the
figure serving as a target. They now exhibited their in-
tense hatred of the autocrat by loading their mte.ke.s and
firing several rounds at the figure' their military enthlt-
slum being only stopped by some of their comrades coming
in, attracted by the reports. On examining the table, it
was found to be perforated in several places, the bu:lets
having lodged in the wall behind. A district court-martial
assembled in the general court-martial room at Chatham
barracks last week for the trial of the two men, on a charge
of having fited away a quantity of their ammunition, which
is deemed an offence according to the Articles of War. The •
prisoners did not offer a word in their defence. The finding
and sentence of the court will not be made known till we.
proved at the Horse Guards. It is to be holed that tte
poor fellows may not be dealt so hardly with as to make
them less anxious.than before to raise a musket against the
Czar.
A banker's clerk was on his way to Winchester
• day or two since, with 5001. in the breast-pocket of his
coat. He sat so that the pocket in which his money was
carried was close to the window. At Bishopetoke, about a
quarter of an hour's distance from Winchester, four men
got into the same compartment of the carriage, and with
him were its only occupants. As soon as the four gn in,
they commenced playing cards, and soon asked the young
man to take a hand, but the offer was declined. One of
the men complained of a headache, and asked the clerk to
allow him to sit near the window, to enjoy the fresh air.
This request was, however, not complied with. Soon after
the clerk lett the train he found that his trousers had been
cut open, and his purse, containing 255., extracted from
1%11 et.
CRYSTAL PALACK, JAN. 10.—SBILLING DAY.—
168; total.
Maki= at the doses, 1,091; admission by stem liskets.
1,242.