The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-10 00:00:00

Amsterdam, 3 months, 11.161 to 17 ; ditto, 3 days,
ILI4 to 15; B.ottesdain, 3 months, 11.161 to 17 ; Ant-
werp, 3 months, 25.40 to 21 ; Hamburg, ma basin, tiros
months, 13.81 to I ; Parts, 3 days, 25.15 to 20 ; ditto,
S months, 25.40 to 5 ; Frankfort-on-the-Maine, 3 months,
118} to 119 ; Petersburg (per rouble), 3 months, 351 to I ;
Vienna, eff. So., 3 months, 11.70 to 80 ; Trieste, .ff. tlo
3 months, 11.70 to 80; Madrid, 3 months, 491 to} ; •Cagle,
3 months, 49 to 1 ; Leghorn, 3 mouths, 25.35 to 60 ;
Genoa, 3 months, 23.55 to 60 ; Milan, 3 mouths, 25.55
to 60 ; Naplee, 3 months, 25.55 to 60 ; Palermo, 3 Tomes,
25.60 to 5; Messes, 3 months, 25.60 to 5 ; Lisbon, 90 deys,
525 to I ; Oporto, 90 days, 623 to b 3.
At Paris and Hamburg the rate of discount is
puriti,er cent. ; Vienna, 51; St. Petersburg, 5 ;
; Frankfort, 21 ; Amsterdam, 4 ; Berlin,
4; and Brussels, 3 per cent.
The monthly return of the Bank of France, as
made up to Thursday, the Bth day of January,
shows the following results (the exchange taken at
25L to the pound) :

Coin and bullion
Bills discounted lncrease 3,380,000
Notes m circulation
Private deposits
Treasury deposite
Advances on public securities Increase 830,000

These changes—more especially the large increase
in the discount+ and the decline in the coin and
bullion--afford evidence of the pressure which is
usually experienced by the French Bank at the
turn of the year.
Several new undertakings of considerable impor-
tance and interest are announced.
One is the British and American Exchange
Banking Corporation, with a capital of one million,
of which one-half is to be issued in the first in-
stance. It is not intended, however, to call up
Imore than 251. on each 501. share. The object 311
to embark in the generally lucrative business of
exchanges between England and America, as well
as between America and the ports in India and
China. In this latter class of transactions the
new company will have the co-operation of the
Oriental Bank. The direction is of a character
to inspire confidence.
Next we may notice the Continental Bank Cor-
poration (Limited). In this case likewise the
auspices under which the appeal is made to the
public are highly respectable. It is intended to
carry out operations in bullion and exchange be-
tween the United Kingdom and the Continent.
The head office will be in London, and the first
branch in Paris. There is no question that in the
field proposed a vast amount of profitable business
is constantly going on. The capital is 1,000,0001.,
in 10,000 shares of 1001. each, and the first issue is
to consist of 5,000 shares.
The City of London and General Fire and Life,
Insurance Company (Limited) comes third on our
list. This undertaking is not got up by profes-
eional promoters, but has been formed by a num-
ber of persons of respectability, practically engaged
iu business, and who, it would appear, have it in
their power,from the nature of their connexions, to
give a good basis to the new concern. Offices are
to be established in Liverpool, Glasgow, Edin-
burgh, Belfast, and other important towns. The
directors pledge themselves to adhere to a popular
programme, as distinguished from the system of
high and arbitrary charges. The capital is to be
one million, in 40,000 shares of 25/. each, and in
this instance likewise one half is to be issued now.
The title of another new undertaking is the Inns
of Court Hotel Company. The capital in this case
is fixed at 100,0001., in 10,000 shares of 101. each.
A suitable site having been secured, it is proposed
to meet one of the requirement's of the day by
erecting a first class hotel for the accommodation of
barristers and others in the vicinity of Lincoln's-
inn-fields. The central situation is considered of
great importance, the more especially as it is be-
lieved that the various courts of law will before
along be concentrated in the neighbourhood of Lin-
coln's-inn-fields. A large amount of she capital is
announced to have been already subscribed for.
Interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum will
be allowed on all payments until the opening of the
1 hotel. _ _ _ _

The directors of the London, Birmingham, and
South Staffordshire Bank are inviting applications
for the appointment of secretary, also of manager,