The Express.
London, England, 1849-10-30 00:00:00

THE OORN TRADE DURING THE PAST
WEEK.

Man the Mark-bee Ileprem.]
The firm tone by which the trade in wheat was
thareaterieed sheet the middle of the meath has been sue-
ended by a reastioa, and a part of the advance thee esta-
blished is prices has agar bra lest. Meanwhile only mo-
derato supplies have been brought forward by the farmers,
sad the defiles mane abnegate be attributed to say Menem
in the delivesies ; indeed, soling hes ocesnedof ardor to
alter the pail rof Madre, and we are eonrequently inclined
to Writer* the rallies to the natural felling off in the de-
land wldshallm be masted to follow after the merchants
and millers periwig what they deemed sufirent to
provide foe their priori trate.
The weather has, dens, the last two or throe weeks, been
ea favorable for all entriber laboots as could posaibly be
dared, sad in the asthma part of the kingdom a very
Imp breadth of land has been sorra with wheat. The son
mpation of more liberal supplies from the growers, after this
end other artrau-labours shall have been completed, has no
doubt had some induces en the operations of buyers, who
having probably secured enough to carry these on for a week
or two, may consider it prudent to ;postpone farther purchases
until such time as the markets shell have become better sup-
plied. If these conclusions prove correct, some further de-
cline in the value of new wheat may be calculated on ; but
owlets to the reduced state of the stocks of old in all parts of
the kingdom, we do not deem a reduction in prices of the
latter probable.
The almost complete silence which ie now direct with
regard to the potato crop leads to the conviction that there
is not much to complain of. 'the lilting and pitting of this
root it drawing to a elan in most parts of the country ;and
it the disease had been very extensive, we Mold hardly Mae
tailed to have received daily amounts of Me =lschia which
the praise of digging must, in tnat are, have afforded evi-
dent., of. An opinion is therefore becoming prevalent that
the loss from disease will prove le.e than was at one period
feared ; and this atauranoti may also have some Milne:Lee on
the haute range of prices.
The arrivals of grain tram the continent of Europe have
not been large of late, either her or at the outeports ; but
at Liverpool a considerable quantity ot flour and wheat have
this week been received from the United States and Ce-
tera. The seers' impression appears to be that the sup-
plies from that quarter will not be followed up ; end it is
likewise probable that the receipts from the Baltic will be
on • more moderate scale than heretofore. The decline iu
the price of wheat has amorted to about 2s. per qr. at some
or the markets in the agricultural districts, held since Mon-
day last; and at most of the large consuming towns a re-
duction of Is. to 2i. per qr. on the extreme rates realised the
previous week has taken place. The demand fee wed wheat
is already *Unmaking, especially in the southern markets ;
and in the course of another week or two the inquiry for
that purpose may be expected to cease altogether.
In the north, the weather h.s lark, been as favourable
for preinriag the land sad sowing r with us; and our
letters trout Boothend innnu us that a vast amount of
work had been dune. The dull account. from hence ap-
pear to have had their usual isfluence, and though the
supplies were not large, either at E ,iimurgh or Glasgow,
wheat was easier to buy on Weduesday than on that day
week.

F.One Ireland we learn that opinion had undergone a good
deal of change in regard to the extent of the potato disease,
but we are nevertheless led to believe teat the disorder has
proved more prevalent there then matins side of the Channel,
and that its 'fleets will hereafter ba felt. The entail trade
had, mcenwhile, become very dull ; end tine value of wheat
and outs had tended downwards at the principal markets.
Moderate shipments of corn and flour were in proems to
England, norwithstanding the discouraging advice§ from
hence, and the unsatisfactory resultuf previous consignments
to the English markets
Nu Mutates has yet taken place in the arrivals of wheat
coastwise into London, only 3,467 qrs. having come to hand
dueler the week ending this (S...turday) evening, nearly all
from Essex end Kent. The offers from Lincolnshire and
Cambridgeshire have, however, been inure numerous this
week tine at any previous period sines harvest; and not-
withstanding the smallness of the receipts coastwise, and the
trifling character of the show by land carriage wimples from
the n. %labouring ecstatic!, the trade in wheat has remained
In an r xosedisigly dull state.
On Wednesday the tew runs exhibited on the Esser and
Lent stands could not be pieced, though freely offered at the
saluted terms of Monday. Fur cargoes to be skipped from
the east coast, rather less money was in some instances
taken ; still buyers were exceedingly cautious, and the busi-
age. done was altogether unimportant.
On Friday there was even less disposition to buy than
earlier in the week, but sellers were unwilling to accept
ler money, and where sales were made tenser rates were
r. shoed.
The supplies of English wheat having for some weeks pest
(assisted entirely of new, the millers nave been obliged to
employ old foreign extensively for mixing, and the stocks of
the latter in i.ranary hare cunerqut idly diminished mate-
rial)y. The flair qualities have, therefore, been held very
firmly ; and, nutevithstanding the reaction which has w-
eaned us prices GI English, little or nu change has taken
place in the value of foreign. Transacti ms have certainly
been n quite a retail scale since Monday, but factors have
fanned to make the slightest concessiou, and good useful
parcels could nut b- bought cheaper on Friday enan in the
beginning of the week.
The ardivels (rum abroad have amounted to only 9,200
qrs. distrait the week ; and, as what may hereafter Dome to
hand from the near continental port* Is lieely to 00litill
principally of new, the prospects are is favour of the value
of old wheat being maintained.
The sale f r flour has hardly been so extensive this week
so before, still the nominal top price of town-made has been
steadily supported, and no quotable alteration has occurred
in the value of other descriptions. The quality of the flour
lately received from the Caned States is very inferior, and
tale greatly short of the produce of the previous year ; tne
best brands of old have consequently tom held at full
terms.
The arrivals of home grown barley have been mode-
rate, and little has been exhibited by land-carriage
samples dace Monday. The inquiry for this grain was
not lively either on Wednesday or Finlay, but factors
=militated no particular anxiety to press sales, and tote
beefiness transacted was at previous prices. Foreign
barley has come to hand rather sparingly of late; and
though we have still a small quantity on the market, the
notion that receipts from abroad may hill off has bad some
rafluenco, and a steady sale has been experienced for good
heavy grinding sorts, at rates lolly equal to those entreat
on Monday last. New malt having been far from plentiful,
ha, commanded quite former Irises; old has moved e ff slowly
&elate rates.
A considerable proportion of the supply of oats is this
wet k tram Ireland, viz , 7,633 qrs. out of a total of
15.210 qrs. Whilst the Irish receipis slow an increase, the
Wile' off in the foreign supply is material, and factors
have therefore demanded former terms. The large dealers
have, throughout the week, acted cautiously; but needy
buyers have been unable to purchase good corn below the
currency of Monday last. Tin Irish oats ere not generally
of file quality ; toe best parcels, weighing 421bs. to 4344.,
have brought 20s to 215., whilst the light sorts have been
offered at 16s. to 171 per qr.
Beans hate c me to hand rather sparingly, and previous
prices have been steadily maintained.
Nothing of interest bas transpire d in peas since our last,
and quotations have undergone DO change re Tibias notice.
Indian corn has been neglected, ants though sellers have
manifested a dilersitioa to aooept lower terms in order to
facilitate business, we have not heard of a single bargain
having been
Foarron.-Very little change appears to have occurred in
the value of wheat at any of the Baltic ports, and according
to the latest advisees, prices were still relatively higher there
than in this country ; hence but few ahipments were being
made to Great Britain.
Letters from Dantzic of the 20th indent, state that fine
qualities of old wheat had become exceediegly scarce, and
that full terms had consequent!) been asked. The preceding
day about 160 lasts had been sold. For a parceled old 62Ibs.
Cum wheat, high mixed, 435.; for fine Inland mixed of
621b5., 41e. • and for secondary qualities, 38s. to 40e. per qr.
free on boak had been paid. During the week 580Iasts had
changed bands. Freight had rather a ivanced • 36.8 d. had
been paid fora smell easel for Leith ; 3.. 64. for a ship of
larger sue, to load for Hall ; and 41. 9d. fur Liverpool.
From Konigsberg we learn, under date of 19th October,
that erne quantity of wheat had been bought there in ex-
pectation of orders received from the north of England,
which had given an impetus to business. It was nevertheless
the prevailing opibioa that prices would not be maintained
when supplies of new increased. Old red wheat had been
sold at 365., new at 335. 64. to 345., and new mixed at 33e.
per qr. free on board. Small barley was quoted 13s. 6d.,
and large 160. per qr. Gee on board. In other articles very
Bale business bad been done. Beans were held at 215., and
tarts at 16e. 6d. per qr. free on board.
At &Attie, and the 22nd inst., holders of Wheat were
very firm; the supplies from the growers had not increased
much. gad most of what had bet a brought forward had met
buyers at previous rates-say 32e. per qr. for good dry quali-
ties of new red wheat, weighing 611 be. to 82lbe. per bushel.
Fine Barley had been inquired for, and commanded equal to
170. 6d. per qr. free on board. Freights had advanced, 41.
per rye. being then asked to London, end 3e. 6d. per qr. for
wheat to the east coast.
R chick letters of the 20th October, state that some
slight inn ease had taken place in the deliveries of wheat
fr..m the growers, and the export demand having been slow,
the tendency of prices had been rather downwards. Good
tifillte. qualities might have been bought at 345. to 35e., and
barley ea 621 be. weight heal been offered at 160. per qr. free
board.
*game as at Rostock, with but little doing at any of the
At Stu/send, Andean, and Griefswald, prices were about
akelltdbq:.radw., etrigrohewitzaht
fully
*nee named.
Letters from Hamburg, of Tuesday, state that the excite.
meat caused by the advance which occurred at Mark-lens
ee the 15th ()Amber, bad not then subsided, end that holders
field wheat had demanded very full terms. Old Upland, of
and now, 6141b5., 395. 6d.
hbosa"rdrealie. rules; had been in lively request,
as much money as before, say 21s. 3d.
M 21e. ed. for. 50ibe. new Basle, and 22e. to 224. 3i. for
lOgihs. to albs. qualities.
From ourports the sales had been rather important, about
IKON barrels Danish Barley having &with hands Mace
Itheprevious poet day, at pnoee varying from 17s. 6d. to
181. 3d. per qr., free on board.
In the Dutch and Belgian markets but little variation
appears to have taken place in quotations of wheat. At
Ito:tertian on the 22nd, new Rhine, 600 n. to 62the. per
bushel, was held at 365. 9.1. to 38e. W.; fine, of 62‘lbs. to
633 a weight, at 40s. to 41e., and old at rates varying from
37e. 64. up to 435. per qr. free on board, according to qua-
lity.
OW Antwerp lotion of the 23rd Instant reprwnt business
as dull, and prices rather tending downwards. 62lbe. sew

Tunnies 111111 than obtainable at; equal to 38e. 61. to to,. per
qr. free ea bond. Polish Olems, weighicg 611 be., wae quoted
86e. to Me. 13d• per qr.
A temporary rife was maned at same of the French markets
by the advances from hence of the 15th end 16th, but subse-
quently wheat receded again, and according to the latest
'comae from that enuatry business had become dull.
At the principal porta in the Mediu Trams the Talus of
wheat appear to have been well maintained ; and a: Mar-
seilles, on the 23rd, Pollak Odessa 60th.. to 611bs. weight was
quoted at 33e. to 345. per qr. tree on board.
From Galata we have advice, dated 11th October ; the
beat qualities of Deft wheat were then quoted 25e. 2d. to
27e. bd., and infaior sorts tram 19e. 7d. to 24e. 511. per qr.
free on board. Freights to Cock cr Falmouth, 9s. to 10e.
per qr. for wheat.

FLAX versus COTTON.

[[tom the GISIVIC Daily Mail.)

The late Mr. Marshall of Ueda, who was the most
extensive flax spinner of England, said once that be yet ex-
pected to supersede cotton entirely by flax. The Daily
News mentioned, a few days ago, that this object might be
acoomplfehed, and that flex at preheat may advantageously
replace cotton. The paragraph is short, and we may there-
for* copy it again :
" It perhaps may not be generally known, even by those
engaged in flax, that by completely robbing the fibre of all
its gem, we get immediately • fine feathery material like
raw cotton, only somewhat @trouser ; the strength of the flex
is rather diminished by this process, but still the fibre is
much superior to cotton, and it may be psased through all
the present cotton machinery in the subsequent processes.
This cannot fail to be highly interesting, now that we aro
threatened with a scarce and consequently dear and inferior
supply of cotton ; and sines much flax stalk is thrown away,
both at home and in India, the plant being cultivated for the
seed, it foram we have ben. prinui facie, a much lees ex-
pensive raw materiel than cotton."
A similar experiment was attempted, and a patent was,
' we believe, taken out soma yams ego, for preparing flax in
this manner ; but the scheme was not, we believe, success-
ful. and it was abandoned.
Flax is generally higher in price than cotton. East India
cotton is often sold for Us. to 30e. per cwt.; while very
ordinary flu brings a higher price. No other agricultural
product varies so widely in value as flax, not from the state
of markets so much as the quality of the article. We have
seen flax sold for 141,. per cwt. and for 255. The quality
depends greatly on the cars bestowed in preparing the crop
after it has been pulled ; and, therefore, in some quarters of
Ulster, where it is extensively cultivated, the farmers are
now in the habit of selling the crop on the ground to parties
whoa* business is to prepare it for the market. This dial-
nen of labour is convenient in two resp:cts fur the grower.
He obtains the return of mone y earlier than by the common
process, and ,s relieved from • cczaiderable responsibility in
the prep nation of his crop. The value of the flax in a parish
is thus undoubtedly increased, and its cultivation must be
greatly promoted by every reduction of risk and delay in
mining its price.
Toe ethane mewioned by the Daily News does not lead
se to expect the employment of flax generally for cotton.
The world needs both. The demand for them is not likely
to be diminished ; and the ordinary linen trade will consume
all the flex that can be produce d here or in the colonies.
We pay at present four or five millions sterling per annum
for flax to Runk chiefly, and we pay cash. Bunn taxes
our manufactures extremely, whin we take its flax free of
duty. The increased growth of this plant in ilieter is requi-
site for the linen trade there, and Ireland still imports
largely from the continent. This importation implies a waste
or means and • wsw. of energy consistent with the character
usually ascribed to that country, although unjustly, so fax as
Ulster is concerned. A similar or a greater degree of negli-
gence is exhibited here. The Irish lima trade is far more.
nearly supplied with the raw material from Ireland then
the Scotch trade from Scotland. No comparison exists in
that respect between the countries: ft r the crop is almost
entirely neglected here, and some old leases proscribe its
enaltivation. Agriculturists are now wiser, and allow it a
place in the rotation suitable for a great proportion of our
nil. We have been informed by eminent sgneulturists in
Ireland, that its place in a proper rotation cannot be easily
supplied. In some distrie's of this country it hes been more
extensively introduced within a few years, and, as we bare
lately stated, with great profit to the growers. The na-
ture of the crop renden it most advisable in a district
where Moue is abundant. Oa that etc .nut no other crop
would be more suitable or more profitable in the western
highlands or islands, if the soil and climate were compgtent
for its growth. On the last particuler wo have no douht
regarding many ial .nds and many distil, is of the highlands.
We referred some time ago to the state of the wheat crop
under good management in Islay, and the answer
ailbrded by practical experience in that island, to assertions
iudu ed store by indolence and prejudice than any other
wide/ regarding these exit wive diecricni. We know
that labour is deficient in the higlinids, if it were
rightly applied ; but in the meantime, the introduction of
this cultivation in many quartets would secure the landloru's
rent and the tees:it's subsicence.
Hemp and flax may be produced advantageously. in the
North American colonies. They crow luxuriantly in Nova
Slone 1111.1 in New Brunswick. Labour in these provinces
and in Lower Canada is not high-priced, while land is very
cheap; and an humane freight in this class of products
might be snouted by a very sliAbt encouragement of their
culture.
The advadtage of looking to this country and the colonies
for raw material in obvious to any trader. All parties agree
that if we can sell go als pr fleshly in exchange for the pro-
, duce we require to buy, this mode of pasmeut is better than
in cash. Two colonies and the Lome farmers do not want.
inciney. They invariably take goods; and all the four or
flee millions ;mid to theountinent in gold, for fin, might be,
with great advantage, paid at home and to the colonies in
goods.
Toe linen trade might closely resemble the hen trade, of
which the net. 'ante to the country is the proceeds received
by the imminent,.

A BUST OF MENDELBSOHN bag been placed in
hoot el the orchestra of the Sit iningham Muds hell.
BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES FOR THE PoOlt AT
BIHMINGMAM.—The first stone of a building to be devoted
o tne penman of providing hatha and wash houses for the
poor, wee laid at Birmingham verderdey, he the mayor (Se'
unel Thornton, Fen.), assisted by tits mawdsws of the town
council, and other SkalerllOts ut roe borou,go. Tut, op-
propriced to this purpose le in Beet-a rset, adjoining the
brive foundery • stahlmement of the Messrs Harcourt.
There is to he about one hundred baths and fifty wish-
houses ; the lost of which is estimated at about 10,0001.
The usual formal ceremony upon sack °anima haviug
been gone through, the arrsesblaye was briefly but
appropriately aedressi il by the mayor, Mr. Alderman
Culler, and the It-v. J. Cef O'er (formerly of Chelsea), who
spoke of the great social adventages that would result (rem
the provision of adequate means of cleansing, and of public
parks and other places of recreation for the poor. As a
proof of the extent to which public baths and wash-houses
were made available by the public, he cited the fact of no
km than 170,000 persons having visited the establishment
for this purpose in Lei.' ster-equare since the month of
January in the present year. Ther• persons whose
philanthropic minds has led them to turn their at
tention to the improvement of the at cial condition
of the poor were as are that it was no alight
importance to turn a dirty men int, a clean one. As long
as the lower elms of cur fellow creatures w re left to • a 1 rw
in squalid filth, would the appliances of religion, or of edu-
cation, in effort to improve his social coed:don be found to
be altogether is vain. * a of all parties were now of one
opinion, that this of all other gunk no, was the questiod of
the day—'he condition of England qua ati M. All @academe
does and contentions gave way to the one absorbing topic—
the improvement of the physical and moral condition of the
people. With referer ce to the ex teneiun of the polities' privi-
leges of the people, he begged to corrects supposition that cler-
gymen were opposed to this; for his pert the only leer be
he had on the subject was that the education of the p ogle
should not be of a sufficient clutrectt r to fit them for the
exercise of their civil duties ; otherwise he was in no way
afraid of the use of political power by the people. Tree rev.
gentleman strongly urged the necessity that existed for the
establishment of publiu paiks and places of recreation in
such • town as Birmingham, and concluded by congratalat
ing his auditory that the step now taken was in the right
direction. Beneath the stone wag drpnitcd various borough
muniments and the coins of the present reign, resented by
the Midland Banking Company for that purpose.
ANOTHER INCENDIARY FIRE AT CLAVERING.—OR
Friday night "perk, about balbpast 11, a smell cow-shed
attached to the dwe Hine-house of the widow Barker, a re-
spectable person at Clavering, was found to be on fire, and
was quickly burnt down, causing the destruction also of the
house, a smell barn, piggeri e, &c., and communicating to
two other dwellings, destroyed them also, theis depriving
four families of their homes: the greater part of the
furniture was alto consumed. Fortunately three cows bis-
longing to Mrs. Barker were in en adjeining meadow, or
they must have been arterificed. Superintendent Clarke and
Constable Piney were quickly on the spot, and finding that
some ill-Anjou existed against Mrs. Barker by a youog man
who was paying his addresses to her daughter (but greatly
against the wanes of her family, on arc .uLt of his general
bad character), he was narrowly watched, strict inquirks
were instituted respecting his mememente, and on Sunday
night this innividual, named George Chipperfitld, was se-
cured by toe above-named edit:ere. Accordingly on Tues-
day an inveetigation of the eircumstanoce was humid before
Richard B:rch Wolf, Esq., and Captain Henry Byn;,
at the Newport police station, which terminated in
the prisoner being fully committed for trial.—The
pnnc•pd evidence against Chirps-Hi-Id was the threats be
had made ma of respecting Mrs. Barker, previoueiy to the
fire, in consequence of the interference she had made as to
the acqucintance b. tween him and her daughter. The young
woman very reluctantly gave any evidence in the case, and
was threaten, d by the magistrates to be committed fur re-
fusing to substantiate the tea Maws! she had before given to
the police ofil.ters The prisoner's footmarks were traced
from the fire towards his house across a fild.—Chelniforel
Chronicle.
GREAT FALLING-OFF IN TUE VALUE OP LAND:.
03 the 18th lost., at Athecry, Mr. Thomas Connell, auo-
Unser, put up for a rie by auction several lots of land, the
prcperty of L ad Orson:ore, in that at iglibeurho,d, but now
under lie courts. We would here observe those lands were
held by the lite truants at from 20e. to 345. per acre, for
the greater part of which a single bid could not be pot. The
followicg is the archr in which they were put up : 81 acres,
knocked down fcr 31. per annum ; W acres, no bidd, rs ; 10
acres, knocked down for 41 per annum ; 9 open, do. do. do.
31.35. do. ;10 scr• e, no bidders ; 6 eery, no bidders ; 101
ser knocked down for 21. per annum ; 20 acres, no
bidders : 20 SOW, **bidders ; 74 acres, knocked down far
81. per annum ; acres, no bidders ;35 acres, do. do. ; 341
sac, do. do.—Galway Mercury.