The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-31 00:00:00

THE SHIPPING TRADE.

(Front the similar of Mom Cunard, Wilson. and Co.,
Liverpool.)

Reviewing the business of the year in the sales
of shipping. we estimate the somber of vessel' sold at 410,
equal to 193821 tons, or about 10 per cent. less than that
of 1860. This decrease may to some extent be amounted for
by the fact that a number of second-class vessels, familiarly
hams to ship-buyers as "timber and cotton ships," and
which periodicaily traded to the Southern puns of America,
have been lost, end, that in consequence of the blockade inter-
fering with such employment, these here not been replaced.
A noticeable feature in a review of the past year is the
large amount of United States vessels sold to British sub-
jects and to foreigners. These, which are included in the
above estimate, exceed 80 vessels, amounting to 78,000 tons
British measurement. Of the vessels launched in the North
American colonies since Ist July last, 61, amounting to
42,588 tons, have been classed at Lloyd's, and the majonty
of these have been disposed of io Liverpool at prior varying
from 71. to 81. 10a. per ton ; but there still remain on sale
in this port 13 new colonial vessels equal to 13,019 tons,
the class of which will date from Ist July, 1862. The total
number of sailingvessels of all descriptions now for sale here
is 72, amounting to 37,640 toes. Iron ships increase in favour ;
more have been built in this than any previous year, and we
are glad to notices marked improvement both in the models
and finish of east coast built vessels. We quote the prices
of these vessels classed 12 years AI, with a full India
outfit, at from 16/. to 17/. per ton, according to measure.
I meet and finish, and we are of opinion that they cannot be
built for less without keg to the builder. Steam-vssisla
are in demand, and a large business has been transacted
with foreigners. The enormous losses of the year—the re-
quirements of government, and our increasing eca
traffic—al' tend to enhance the value of this deserlptiri
property. In the face of our complications with the United
States and their uncertain issue, it is dillealt
to form an opinion of the prospects el shippisg
for 1862. Should the present raison
result in war and the consequent raising of the blockade of
the Southern ports by the British naval forces, the transport
of cotton stored up by planters will give employment to a
large amount of tonnage, but this to • very considerable
extent depends upon the ability of our crubirs to keep the
sea clear of national Teasels and privateers. In any can,
however, should affairs become more complicated or
hostilities ensue, neutral bottoms must have the pre-
ference, especially in the case of cargoes intended for distant
sess,where our cruisers are comparatively few and scattered.
Alreaiy the war premium demanded by underwriters is
opera injuriously on British shipping in the India and
Pacific Wide*. Should the difficulties between the two
nations be satisfactorily arranged, British shipping, though
still prohibited from trading to Southern American ports,
will be able to carry cargoes at the usual risks only, thereby!
neutralising the advantages which foreigner, would other-
wise power. In the event of the Federal government con-
tinuing its hitherto unsuccessful efforts for the subjugation
of the South, sod the war promising to be prolonged to an
indefinite period, to the vital injury of the trade of foreign
nations, the Anglo-French governments may feel themselves
called upon to interfere with a strong band, and by an dB. I
cial recognition of the South as a power, compel the cessa-
tion of hostilities ; but with such uncertainties before as at
this particular crisis, and in the absence of definite advisee,
we regret we cannOt but take a somewhat unfavourable
view of the preview of shipping for the ensuing year.

• AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

The weather has been of the moat favourable
character throughout the whole of the week ; some days
bright and sunny with sharp white frosts at night, and a
very highebarometer, the wind blowing fresh from the north-
east.
Field work haa proceeded rapidly, and the ploughs are
busily °moped in preparing the land for spring tillage.
Wheat sowing has still gone on, as farmers are most minim
to have as much of this grin as possible for another ma-
son, in the anticipation of good prior.
There have been moderate deliveries, and noon:114y on the
part of either havers or seller to press business until the
Anglo- American dispute be settled io one way mother. Some
further delay will yet take place, the voyage aeons the
Atlantic not being made so quickly at this season of the
year. It may indeed be the close of next week before the
answer comes to hund. There is much doubt on many
lauds whether the deliveries can be kept up on a large
scale, and on this depends a good deal the future prior,
even with a continuance of place. Even in that inset the
imports will fall off suddenly frost America, and we have
now only to depend on ships at sea with this grain, which
are supposed to be large. Contrary winds this week have
kept them out, and the imports in consequence have
fallen off.

The ■ppeaeanee of the plant could not be better ; that
sown early is grog, and of a healthy dark green, giviog
every promise eta lisirlet ere:, as ter
excellese
"oVntione can yet
finest O The seed
rder possible for its reeeptaon. That sown later is
now well up, strong, and even, also giving a good promise;
and army farmer seems satisfied with his prospects of • good
year. Some quantity of spring seer will be planted, and this
will go in steadily as the weather permits, and when the
land is ready. There will not this arson be so much land
left for spring corn se usual, bat for barley a reserve will
he made, in preference to any ether article, from the
belief that this is the next to wheat in importance.
NU are grown now so a:illusively is Sweden, sad well
kept up in Russia, they eau always be obtained in abundrots,
and cheaper than they ma be grows. Last harvest more
eats than usual were roducied hi England, and although tie
quality was prier, mess have not bra so satisfactory as
rose of either wheat et terry. The deliveries are now
falling off, and there is no encouragement to rod them to
the metropolis, whilst the imports are so large as at present.
There have been increased deliveries of barley ; and yet
prime malting qualities have met as increased demand, at
somewhat improved rates, the malisters appearing anxious to
secure the finest descriptions to as large an extent as pas-
sible. Most probably a sudden assertion may take place in
the early part of the year, front the large deliveries being
made sooner than usual.
The conrimption is now extensively going on with turnips
and marigold wurzel, as well as of hay, provender of all
sorts being in great reqoupt from the want of grata, which
has been nipped and shMened by the occasional sharp
ir,ii.yl4
frosts. Lieseed cakes continue to command a good
and if American should be stopped, English will have a run,
and be further enhanced in value. The stocks of this article
are not large of either foreign or English, sod lizard being
very dear, unless supplies increase, it may yet inn up in
prim. Farmers will do well to make early purchases is case
of need.—Mark-lane Exprevs.

THE WILATTIZE IN THI SMITH OF SCOTLAND.—
A correspondent of the &demon writes from Kelso :
" The rivers ere nearly all icebound. The smaller waters
ar• all froze, over, cad on long reaches of the Tweed. both
above and below Kelao, sliding or skating may be ieduigod
fn. At present one can walk on the frozen Tweed fray
Kelm to Sprinsten, three miles farther down the river ;
and at Kato-kip the water is almost entirely frozen
over. Large 14111111111 of persons daily enjoy them-
es/bin es the &my surface of the Tweed in skating,
darling, eliding, sad foot AWL The atmosphere since
Wednesday last has been very akar, the son has
shone out all day. and both during the day and at night the
frost has been intense. Farmers are complaining loudly of
the hoot, and there cannot be a doubt that turnips will be
very considerably injured by exposure. A coating of stow
would have had a good effect in preserving this valuable
root, but none bee yet fallen, exoept on the Lammermoces
and Cheviot ranges of hills. On the bigh.lving &trans
the weather has been very severe, and i, the !Border sheep.
walks the keen frost is being severely felt. The severe
weather bas put • stop to scultural operatic.; and any
farm-work that is accomplished is done indoors. Potatoes
are turning out badly, and in many districts there will be a
peat scarcity of this virulent."
Teti DZAINAGI IMPROTZKINT IN THE WEFT OF
IaILAND.—The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland received • depa.
tailors on Saterday oti the subject of the Shinano works and
the drainage of the adjoining districts. It consisted of the
following betimes and gentlemen :—The Marquis elf Clan-
riearde, the Marl of Clancarty, Lord Caellemaise, Lard
Crofton, Lord Denkellin, M.P., Colonel °veva* M.P.,
Major Ormsby Gore, the O'Connor Don, M.P., Mr. -P.
O'Brien, M.P., Mr. K IL 'Benison, J.P., Mr. Denis Belly,
J.P.. scounpuried by Mr. James Lynam, of Rabies. C.B.
Ris Exeellency was attended by the Chief Secretary, Sir
Thomas Laroom, and Sir Richard Griffith. The Marrieds of
Clanrioarde presented a memorial adopted at a meeting held
lately in Athlone, from which it appears that, in permarees
of acts ci parliameot, the sum of 584,0001. led bees
expended on the Shannon works, of which certain beronise
with which the memorialists were connected had paid
294,0001. But they Were prepared to prove that the said
works were not duly executed, that the plans were net ad.
hired to, and that in caesequmes thememarialists ere pre-
vented from coo verti ne Inge) thousands of acres at bop and
morasses into sound and valuable land. They therefore
prayed for an immediate and impartial ie9uiry inttlhe &ab-
ject, oonfident that the treasury and parliament would sot
"condemn a large portals of the centre cf Ire-
land to remain in perpetuity • vast swamp, &-
creditable and injurious tcr.the people and to the governesent."
Lord Carlisle, in his reply, said that great difficulty wee
found in reconciling the coollictieg bterests of navigation
and drainage, but the Irish government would put itself in
oommunicatioo with the treasury with the view of seeing
what could be dose.
CHURCH Coudieriose. —The following analysis
of a collection made es Sunday last at one of the east-end
churches for the local district visiting society is curious, as
showing the sympathy of the peer for those more destitute
than themselvea. The amount collected was V. 13s. 9jd..
which was made up of the follo=tersies :-1 halt
sovereign, 4 half crowns, 5 florin, 09 sixpences,
fourpsoces, 28 threepeoces, remiss. braczaiss,
18 farthinp 1 Australian poesy and cos Belgian
The total number of coins wee
" We find Du Barry's &Woo' Leala-vusifigint
lenient& Arablce Feed the mast gear Weed onolF
poulopapa,,tdigrttz;:lt 11eraliesey
airOtbst.
rhea, ervousness, tet-Wepiewasea to 'beerat
and Weer eosplahtta. sells
Neigh. eethme.
•rattle, sad evellet”Hell.--Aarkww Um M.D., LILL ; De:
Hervey. Dr. Ilsorkink Dr. limplen. Dr. Zed Warm." haat
le this, llb., tic. Ile:
:11 ilk., 4i,—BARAT DE HAIM sad
oe.. itiontauest. 6Boers, aloe leftism end bees : sad
at Dr, Oroceeberebdrest4=o.lfier4=o.l94, Oxford.
skeet; lead arum ind