The Press.
London, England, 1857-05-02 00:00:00

439

OF PRIZES

THE ART-UNION ANNUAL
took place on Tuesday last at the Haymarket
Theatre. The subscription of the present year
amounts to the sum of 13,2841. Os. Each subscriber
is entitled to, and many have already received, two
engravings—one of "The Piper." by Mr. Frederick
Goodall, A.R.A., and one of " The Clemency of
Cu-Air-de-Lion," by Mr. Cross. For next year a
painting, by Turner, of " Bellini's pictures conveyed
to the Church of the Redentore, in Venice," has been
engraved by Mr. J. T. Willmore, A E.R.A., and the
prints will be ready for delivery in the spring.
THE EXHIBITION OF DESIGNS for the new
Government offices which have been sent in by com-
petitors from all nations will be thrown open for
public inspection in Westminster-hall on Monday,
May 3. There was a private view for members of
the Houses of Lords and Commons yesterday.
Most of the designs provide for the erection
of Westminster-bridge considerably eastward of its
present site. The names of the judges with whom
the final selection will rest have not yet been
announced.

THE OLD AND NEW WATER-COLOUR EXHIBITIONS
are now open. Both exhibitions may be Lirly
considered beyond the average.

gloneg gtarl►et an 4 Citg (gnttiligcna.

FRIDAY EVENING.
THE return of the Bank of England for the week ending
the 25th ult., shows the following changes compared with
that for the week preceding :

Increase in Circulation
Increase in Public Deposits
Decrease in Other Deposits
Decrease in Private Securities
Decrease in Bullion
Increase in Rest
Decrease in Reserve
Bullion in Both Departments .... 9,555,23 b
Circulation, including Bank Post
8i11520,513,710
The most favourable feature in this comparison is de
diminution in the Private Securities, but, on the other
hlind, the stringency of money in the general market has
led to a large reduction in the private deposits. This item
now amounts to only 9,450,4941. The Bullion is barely
above 9,500,0001., while the Reserve has gone down to
the extent of 104,0001. The return as a whole is calm
lated to keep alive the sensibilities of the Money Market,
though it need not excite any fears, as we may be certain
that the Bank Directors will not, unless urgent necessity
arises, impose Waller restrictions on the market.

During the week the Money Market has been in a
highly sensitive state and a good deal oppressed by appre-
hensions that as the Bank has resumed its temporary
policy of refusing to make advances on stock for longer
periods than seven days the rate of discount would be in-
creased to seven per cent. These fears were partly caused
by the fact that a heavy demand for money has been
prevailing in Paris, and, inde-d, upon the Continent gene-
rally ; while some of the parties who are commissioned to
buy gold in this market on account of the Bank of France
have been borrowers. A heavy demand has also prevailed
for domestic purposes. The approach of the 4th has
elicited more than ordinary commercial demands, white
the invitation to subscribe to the Russian railway scheme,
and the railway settlement in the Stock Exchange, with
that which is at hand in Consols, have each contributed,
more ur less, to the pressure. The most powerful influ-
ence, however, has been the apprehension of the Bank
policy; and though these fears partially disappeared when
the Directors separated yesterday without making any
change, they are still operative, and are likely so to remain
until there is more ease in Paris. Under these circum-
stances those who towards the latter part of last week ex-
pected a better condition of things have found their
anticipations disappointed, and their opinions for the time
are silenced. But, with ease in Paris, and the passing
over of the temporary and local disturbance of the settle-
ments and of the 4th, we see no reason to doubt why the
market should not mend, or at least become leas stringent.
A large amount of Australian gold may arrive any moment,
enough to supply fur a time the wants of the Continent
and to add to our own reserves, and the American
exchanges are now nearly at a point which will make it
profitable for the New York merchants to make their
payments here in gold. We may, therefore, calculate
upon receiving some of the Californian supplies
which have so long been accumulating there. At
the same time the India and Chinese mails bring
accounts of so improved %character that the nest shipment
of silver for those markets will not be much more than
one-half the amounts of those which have lately been
common. The silver market here therefore is already
heavy—it has sensibly declined; and the purchasing orders
twon the Continent have in some cases been counter-
manded. Whilst silver is depressed from these causes,
the Royal Mail steamer Magdalena has to-lay brought
527,4::fi1. most of which is in silver. Even, there-
fore, if the demand for silver revives, which we do not
expect at present, the stocks in this country will be ample
to meet it, for a time, without transmitting gold to the
Continent to buy up five-franc pieces. Under all these
circumstances we can scarcely avoid thinking that the
apprehensions as to the future prevailing for the last four
days have been unduly exaggerated. At all events there
are substantial reasons for expecting their influence to be
speedily neutralised.
Gold to a small amount, prot ably :10.1100/., has been
withdrawn from the Bank. About 6:2,000/. has arrived

from the United States, but the whole was on French
account ; and the whole of the ,lO,0(N11. brought by the
Anglelea has been purchased on behalf of the Bank of
France. The exports, in aJdition to these amounts, have
been inconsiderable, and there have been nu imports worth

recording.
The Continental Exchanges have not materially altered,
but they are a shade firmer. Tao American are still im-
proving.
The English Funds have been depressed by the position
of the Money Market, and by the continued dulness of
business. Consuls are three eighths lower, and Railways
about one per cent.
Consols, which left off last Friday at 931 to receded
on Monday and the following days, until yesterday they
were for a time quoted at 921 to I. But when the Bank
Court broke up without making any further restrictions,
they rallied to 9•23 to I, and, finally, lett off at 921 exactl%,
which has been about the average price cf the week. The
market was then steady, with a tendency m improvement.
Today the Stock Exchange was closed, owing to this being
the day for making up the half-yearly balance at the Bank
of England, when no transfers can be effected. Out-
side, however, there were some dealiugs at about the
highest of yesterday's quotations.
The Railway settlement, though it was not heavy, has
interfered with the market, while the operations for higher
prices are, apparently, discouraged. The Bears, conse-
quently, have had everything pretty nearly their own way.
But there was a decided tendency towards recovenug
yesterday, and it. was confirmed by the disposition outside
to day. French shares have suffered most. The Paris
Bourse has been inundated with stock, thrown upon it, it
is alleged, by English: holders, in consequence of the
demand fur money in London. A failure was declared
yesterday.
In the Foreign Market the principal event has been a
heavy fall in Turkish Six per Cents, caused, it is stated,
by one of the joint stock banks having been a large seller,
in order to cover advances. Mexicans are a shade lower.
The market. however, is generally without much change.
Joint stock Bank Shares have been inanimate. Egypts
and Ottcmans are both lower.

Mining and Miscellaneous Securities have been ex-
ceedingly
In the course of the week the shares of the Atlantic
Telegraph Company have been added to the official daily
lists of the Stock Exchange. They are of 4001. each, and
are quoted at 10s. dis. to par. No business has yet been
done in them.

Exchequer Bills are now quoted at 2s. dis. to 2s. prem.
Two new companies are announced. One is the Pied-
suontese Alining Company, and the other is for a railway,
sixteen miles long, to open up the goldfields of BallJrat
and to connect Melbourne and Geelong with a favourable
point for shipping at the entrance to Port Philip.
A bank at Paris and Havre, that of Messrs. Valle and
Co., has stopped. The engagements are not very con•
siderable.

Messrs. Fox and Henderson have passed their final
examination, without opposition, in the Birmingham
Bankruptcy Court. In the Bssingliall-street Court, the
auditors of the Rona British Bank and Mr. Humphrey
Brown have been examined. The proceedings, as
disclosed, were lkhly discreditable, to say the least.
The London subscription list for the Russian railway
scheme has been opened. It is generally supposed to be
a failure.

The Board of Trade returns for the past month were
issued on Monday. The declared value of our exports in
the mov.th compared with that for the corresponding month
of 18.50 is 1,007,7781. more, and 3,145,0431. more as
compared with March, 18.55.
L/ndon arm Eastern Banking Company have held
a meeting and passed resolutions appointing Mr. Stuart,
of the Oriental Bank, to proceed with the liquidation
There was no discussion.

The Rank of London has at length adopted proceedings
to vindicate itself against the allegations of a periodical
under the control of a party long hostile to the undertaking.
Mr. S. Adams, of the Ware and Hertford Bank, has
pissed his adjourned last examination.
The Trade Reports of the week are rather complaining.

BANK OF ENGLANb.
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Nth Victoria. cap. 12
for the week ending on Saturday, the 28th day of April, 1557.
ISANC OPPAKTMENT.
Notes issued ....123,305,485. Government Debt 411,01!8,140
Other Securities .. 3,45:1,0011
Gold Coin it Bullion 8.833.45
'Silver Bullion

423,308,465

123 308,4.,13
BANKING DICPLATUENT.
Proprietors'Ospltslll4,333,ooo Government Saint-
liest
Public Deposit/is 5,311,645 Dead Weight-km, 41.333.125
Other Deposits
Seven Day & other Nutes
Bills

434,303,711 R 33,503.710
• Including Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt,
Savings' Danko, and Dividend Accouuts.

Antw.&Rttrdn3.l
Belgian East., J.'
Dutch RllOl.lOll
East Indian
1
Ot. Indian Pen.
G. W.of Can.,Sh.
Lyons & Lieueve
Madras. _

71 1
it
I
id
LU7 9
t
81
:9 21)
9 t
33 9
5 19
tl;2
59 ISO

FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Tuesday. Wednec
71 I 7a
I.i 1i Idis
IoT 9 197 9
21e 11,
2 i I 90 133
2I
31
19 20 19 20
8 Si
38i 9
9 10
811 2
18 60

Thurs.
7
Ai
107 id 9
21
i
!,90
19 20
' 71 8+
3n 8i
8, 9+
69+
56

Fr Gia,.

Namur& LiE4e..l
Nrthrn.of Froe,
Norw. Truk. Prf.
Paris & Lyons..
Paris & Orleans'
Paris it Rolm..

d %
38% %
9 10
avi i
58 8i

[ADVERTISEMENT.]
LONDON THE PLACE OF EXHIBITION OF THE
ART•INDUSTItY OF ALL NATIONS.
THE metropolis of England—indeed we may say of the
world—has been long noted for its magnificent exhibitions
of national productions. Of late years the skill and inge-
nuity of labour have been much cultivated both in this
country and on the Continent, and, whether it be in the
production of articles of luxury or of utility, England has
contributed its share, and has stood pre-eminent for its
extent of commerce. Foreign nations look to us in a great
measure for the introduction of their designs, and which
is manifested more particularly in what is termed " the
foreign and fancy trade." One of those large and
attractive emporiums within whose walls national produc-
tions are exhibited has for some time past been established
at the west end of London, at those beautiful and com-
manding, premises, 154, Regent-street, and 8, Beak -street,
under the proprietorship and able management of Mr.
T. A. Simpson. The reputation of that gentleman, from
the circumstance of his long connection with one of the
leading firms in the metropolis well known to the aristo-
cracy and the elite of fashion, cannot fail to insure him
that success which such an undertaking so justly deserves.
It is to repositories such as these that our continental
manufacturers consign their goods, thus securing to the
public a constant succession of novelties in every style of
art. The manufactures of Austria in medieval articles
are here seen to perfection. Italy also contributes her
share of taste and refinement. India, in her precious
stones set in courtly ornaments, and her other resources,
is here represented. Japan, also, in her very choice
specimens of her various manufactures. Germany and
Switzerland send their portion of ingenuity and invention.
The productions of France in infinite variety form a most
leading feature. And last, though not least, our own
British manufactures are deserving of every comment, and
are as monuments of our national industry. The estab-
lishment in question is well worthy of a visit to inspect,
bidding fair to outvie all that have hitherto appeared of
that class of commercial enterprises. It may indeed
justly be termed "An Exhibition of the Art-Industry of
All Nations."