The Press.
London, England, 1856-08-16 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

BANK OF FRANCE.

THE Monthly Debtor and Creditor Account of the Bank of
France, made to the 14th instant, was published
yesterday. It is, on the whole, of a more favorable cha.
racter than the preceding return, inasmuch as it shows
that the Bank has been restricting its accommodation to
the Bourse, and reducing its general discounts. It has, at
the same time, added to its stock of Bullion. But against
these items must be set a considerable diminution in the
Private Deposits, and a large amount, comparatively, paid
away in the shape of premiums upon the purchase of gold
and silver. The Bank's general liabilities have, however,
been reduced to a small extent; and the Government has
increased its deposits. Compared with the previous re•
turn, the following, which we copy from the circular of Mr.
William Avens, of Tokenhouse•yard, issued last evening,
will show the changes made in the position of the estab-
lishment during the month, expressed in English
currency, at an exchange of twenty-five francs to the pound
sterling
Increase in Circulation
Increase in Public Deposits
Decrease in Private Deposits 1,256,613
Increase in Bullion 681,931
Decrease in Commercial Discounts 365,062
Decrease in Advances on Bullion
Decrease in Advances on Public
Securities
Decrease in Advances on Railway
Securities
Increase in Premiums on Purchase
of Gold and Silver
Decrease in Aggregate Liabilities 634,738
Circulation
Stock of Bullion (August 14)
The amount paid for premiums on gold and silver
purchases was 45,8301. in the present month, against
13,307/. in July. The following table shows the several
advances made by the Bank in the two months just
closed :

AIIOOIIT. JULY.
Commercial discounts.... X 18,477,815 X 18,843,477
Advances on Bullion .... 141,431 298,272
" Public Securities 4,072,155 4,83'2,831
" Railway Shares.. 2,288,215 2,631,153

£24,919,040 X26;505,530
Dedact 24,979,646

Total Decrease in August 1,525,890
" From these figures," says Mr. Avens, " we deduce an
opinion that the management of the Bank are discouraging
speculation both on the Bourse and in the country as
much as possible; while they are at the same time
strengthening its reserves, certainly by means that are
deemed irregular in this country ; but the ultimate charge
of which must fall partly upon the proprietors of the
Bank, and partly upon the general trade of France."

The report read at the annual meeting of the Eagle In-
surance Company, shows that the progress of the Company
dnring the put year has been highly satisfactory. The
surplus fund has been increased by sum exceeding 34,0001.,
the total amount of this fund being now upwards of
300,0001., entirely independent of the proprie,or's capital.
The income for the year has been 160,0001., and the
charges, including 88,9931. paid on lives deceased, only
119,9681. It is not on this account alone, however, that
we call attention to the report. Its most valuable feature
eonsists in the fact that the Eagle Company has incor-
porated with itself the business of the Mentor Life
Assurance Company, without any increase of its ex-
penses. We learn also that arrangements are in progress
for an amalgamation with the Falladium Assurance Com-
pany, by which a common fund will be created, and the
business of that very respectable institution be trans-
ferred to the Eagle. The great increase in the number of
insurance companies tenders this process of junction
peculiarly desirable, as all parties concerned must be
benefited,—the proprietors through an increase of busi-
ness without any corresponding increase of expense, and
the assured by their security being enhanced through the
greater strength thus given to the office on which they have
a claim. We need not say that the report was cordially
received and adopted by the proprietors.