The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-31 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING.
The English stock market exhibited a decided
increase of firmness this morning, but the upward
tendency was checked by further large sales of money
stock, and at the close of business prices were only r,
per cent. better than they closed yesterday, the
market wearing at the same time a weaker appear-
ance. A bona fide sale of 250,0001. Console was
effected by a leading broker, and it is further esti-
mated that an aggregate amount of about 300,000/.
Three-and.a-Quarter per Cent. and Reduced Three
per Cent. stock was also sold by several other parties
of standing. In consequence of these sales, added to
those previously made (and to which we have drawn
attention during the last few days), money
was in increased demand in the Stock Ex-
change at 45 per cent., on deposit of go-
! vernment securities ; and it is further under-
stood that some large sums of money have been taken
from the Bank of England at this rate. The firmness
of the market in face of these large sales is remark-
able, and was considered to be chiefly due to the
publication of the subjoined notice from the South
Sea Company, which was posted up in the Stock
Exchange:—
South Sea House, Dec. 29, 18.53.
The Directors of the South Sea Company give notice, that
dim will make advances on and after the 6th of January
nuit, on the security of South Sea Stock, at the rate of 100
pr cent., to such proprietors as may give three days' notice
to the cashier of the Company. The terms upon which such
advances will be made may be ascertained at the South Sea
UMW. C. F. GIBBON, Sec.
In explanation of this notification it m ill be re-
called to mind that the South Sea Company's corpo-
rate stock cannot be divided amongst the holders
until the division shall have been authorised by a
special act of parliament—an authorisation which
was not obtained last session, owing to the bill in-
troduced for that purpose having included a provi-
sion for constituting the South Sea Company into a
trust company. Pending these parliamentary ar-
rangements the holders of this 3,662,000/. of stock
are to be allowed the option of receiving an advance
of 1001. per 1001. stock, this 1001. stock being worth
in the market 1121. or thereabouts. In the appre-
hension that a portion of this money may come at
once into the market for investment there has
been a general desire on the part of parties
who stand in the position of speculative sellers of
stock, to buy back with a view to cover themselves
from loss. It remains to be seen how far this view
will be realised. Another circumstance that led to
purchases, especially by previous speculative sellers,
was the intelligence that a note had appeared in the
Paris Moniteur to the effect that the Turkish govern-
ment is in perfect accord with the representatives ofl
the Four Powers as to the terms on which negotia-
tions for peace are to be resumed with Russia. Ambi-
guously worded as this is, it yet induced purchases,
owing to the idea that it would have a favourable
effect on the Paris bourse, a rise in which market
would naturally react here. Subsequent to the close
of business, however, it transpired that the Paris
hoarse, instead of advancing, had closed at a decline
of Ito per cent. from the closing rates of yes-
terday.
Consols were first quoted and also closed at 93
to ex. div. for the 18th January, and touched at
one period of the day 94 "buyers." The official
business report is as follows :—Three per Cent.
Consols, for the opening, 18th January, 93, 94,
931, ex div. Three per Cent. Reduced, 94(, 94.
Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 957„ 3, -1, 5, ;
Bank Stock, 2171.
Exchequer Bills were again quoted Is. higher
to-day, closing at ss. to 85. prem.
In the foreign stock market business was very
doll, and, with the exception of an improvement in
Dutch. prices exhibited no quotable variation. At 4
o'clock Mexican Bonds were quoted 231 to 241.
Peruvian Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 68 to 70;
Sardinian, 90 to 92. Spanish Deferred, 211 to 22.
Russian Five per Cents., 111 to 113 ; ditto Four-
and-a-Half per Cents., 97 to 99. Granada Active,
21 to 22 ; ditto Deferred, 71 to 8. Sales are re-
corded as follows :—Danish Three per Cent. Bonds,
1825, 84 ; ditto Five per Cents., 1021. Dutch Two-
and-a-Half per Cents., 645; ditto Four per Cent.
Certificates, 961, 97, 961. Mexican Three per Cents.,
241, 24, 1. Russian Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 971.
98. Sardinian Five per Cents., 90. Spanish Old
Three per Cents., 461, ; ditto, New Deferred
Three per Cents., 22.
A rumour prevailed in the afternoon that the Bank
of England had signified its willingness to ply off at
once, without charging discount, the uncommuted
petty stocks, the payment of which falls due on the
6th of January, but the report was devoid of founda-
tion.
Money was in increased demand to-day for com-
mercial purposes, but this is not unusual at the close
of the year, and just prior to the payment of the
dividends. The rates of discount exhibit no change
worthy of notice.
The amount of gold brought in by the Mayflower,
from Adelaide, is 5,352 ounces, valued at about
21,4001.
This afternoon the rates of exchange on Paris,
Amsterdam, Vienna, and Trieste showed no change.
Bills on Hamburg were rather more offered than on
Tuesday, owing to the higher quotation received from
that city. At the close bills remained over at 13.41,
after transactions had been entered into as high as
13.45 to 13.5. Business was generally limited.
The East India Company issued notice to-day that
the rate of exchange at which they will receive cash
for bills on Bengal and Madras will, until further
notice, be 2s. 01d. the company's rupee, and for bills
on Bombay, 2s. Old. These rates are Id. lower than
those previously current.
The mail of the 4th of February next will be de-
spatched to Australia by the General Screw Steam
Shipping
.Company's steamer Bosphorus, this com-
pany having obtained the contract for its conveyance.
The Bosphorus will mil from Southampton, and will
touch at Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
The London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway is to
be opened for traffic, between London and Gravesend,
early in the month of February.
Notice is given that application has been mad,
for a charter for a company to be called the " Central
America Steam Navigation Company."
The half-yearly dividend on the capital stock of
the Alfred Life Assurance Company is advertised as
papable on the 10th January.
Land shares to-day were dull, at the late reduced
quotations. Bank shares were also unmarked by any
movement. Crystal Palace shares again declined, on
renewed sales, coupled with a report that this com-
pany will require additional capital ; the closing price
was 1 7-16 to 1 9-16 prem. The shares of the Aus-
tralian Royal Mail Steam Company have been dealt
in at 2t to 21 (81. paid).
The return of the Bank of England for the week
ending Saturday, the 21th Dec., when compared
with the previous return, shows the following results:
Circulation issue
Circulation active 20,810.16.5 Increase 204,530
Public deposits 11,157.724 Increase 665,038
Other deposits
Government securities in
banking department
Other securities in banking
department
Coin and bullion in both
departments
Seven day and ether bills 1,179,166 Decrease 4.7/0
The Rest
The Reserve (viz., notes
and coin in banking
department)
The subjoined exhibits the extent of the week's
variations at one view :
Public deposits
Other deposits decrease..
Notes and bills in circulation
increue.. 199,780
Rest increase.. 9,365
On the other side of the account
Government securities, no change
Other securities
Coin and billion increase..

Total v. 74,153 £574,183
These variations are not calculated to excite