The Express.
London, England, 1857-11-26 00:00:00

at 25.
Considering the steady subsidence of the demand at
the Bank of England, and the fact that the bills ma-
turing at the Bank are very numerous, there is a very
strong Impression in well-informed quarters that the
notes over-issued have been already withdrawn; in
other words, that the Bank's issues have now been
curtailed within the limits imposed by their charter.
Of comae this will not obviate the necessity of an
act of indemnity for ministers, but as a good
deal of exaggerated alarm has been expressed
because the Bank at the worst period of the crisis
exceeded their statutory limit by half a million, it is
as well that the alarmists should understand that
the country is not drifting towards a suspension of
cash payments, to be brought about by a flood of
paper," as their favourite phrase runs.
The Bank of England yesterday purchased about
21,0001. in gold, derived from various foreign quar-
ters. It is a feature of importance that some parcels
consisted of gold imported from France. If the
exchanges continue at their present extraordinarily
high point, further remittances of gold may be
expected from that quarter. In the return of the
Bank, made up to yesterday week, the coin and
bullion were stated at 6,484,0961., and they arc
known to have purchased since that date nearly
800,0001. in newly imported gold. After making
allowance for some withdrawals of sovereigns, it is
evident that the position of the institution must
have greatly improved.
We had yesterday to announce another serious
banking difficulty. It has been known for some
time past that the Northumberland and Durham
District Banking Company were in embarrassment,
and two or three days ago the name of the institu-
tion was freely mentioned. Upon that occasion the
rumour was met by a contradiction, apparently
on authority. Yesterday morning, however, the
London agents refined to accept their drafts
and, from the magnitude of the amount
returned, it is feared that the Bank will be
compelled to close their doors. Occurring at a time
when confidence was steadily reviving, this event is
very lamentable, the more especially as the engage-
ments of the institution are very large, and widely
ramified. Their transactions, too, are in great part
amongst • poor population, which cannot fail to
suffer severely from any shock to local credit. It is
apprehended that difficulty may arise in the carry-
ing on of some of the collieries, and in ono quarter
we hear a statement that the stoppage of the bank,
unless averted, will jeopardise • sum of about
30,0001. destined as weekly wages to colliers and
others. This bank was established on the let
of your, 1836, and has about 408 partners.
The paid-up capital is 652,8911., and the
amount paid up per share, 101. The reserved
fund was last stated at 90,8741. The dividend last
declared was at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum.
The head office is at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and
there are eight branches, viz., at Alnwick, Berwick,
Hexham, Morpeth, North Shields, Sunderland,
Durham, and South Shields. The bank do not issue
their own notes, their circulation consisting of those
of the Bank of England. The ether joint-stock
banks of Newcastle having fallen into difficulty
some time ago, the Northumberland and Durham
District Bank is the only joint-stock bank now left
in that town, and this circumstance is calculated to
increase the local distress, unless a suspension can be
averted.
It is stated that the bullion in the Bank of France
has increased to close upon eight millions. Thisis in
consequence of the recent advance in the Bank's rate
of diseount. A legitimate policy being found suc-
cessful. the Bank are enabled to reduce their artificial
pnrchmes of bullion. Hence the reduction in the
premium offered for gold to five per mile.
The settlement of the fortnightly account in shares
and foreign stocks will commence to-morrow (which
will be " continuation-day") and terminate on Mon-

day. . .
The Essex, from Melbourne, has now been 81days
at sea, with 421,0001. in gold, and the Seringapatam
102 days, with 48,7001.
The steamer Baltic took out 10,0001. in specie
from Liverpool for New York yesterday.
On the Continent the exchanges on London are
everywhere firm at the late important advance. At
Berlin and Vienna a further rise has taken place.
At Paris on Tuesday the exchange on London
was quoted 23.40 to 43 for abort, and 24.73 to
80 for 3 months' bills; at Amsterdam, 11.83 for
short ; at Hamburg, 13.8 for short, and 13 for 3
months; at Berlin, 8.181; and at Vienna, 10.31.
The failure is announced of Messrs. Rebder
and Boldemann, foreign merchants, chiefly in
the German trade. The liabilities are not ex-
pected to prove heavy, as the house, though respect-
able, has not enjoyed high credit. Subjoined is a
copy of the circular issued :

Gentlemen,—lt is with extreme regret we hare to inform
you, that in consequence of the failure of many hones upon
whom we hold bills, we are compelled to suspend oar pay.
meats. We have platted our books in the bands of Mesons.
Quitter, Ball, end Co., who will prepare a statement of our
affairs, end lay the same before our creditors et the earliest
opportunity2—We ere, gentlemen, your obedient servants,—
(Signed), HIMIDER and BOLDNIKANN.-14, Lcadometreet,
don, Nov. 26, 1857.
The stoppage of the highly respectable firm of
Messrs. I. R. Thomson and Co., in the African and
Mauritius trade, will be merely temporary. We have
much pleasure in stating that arrangements bare
been nearly completed which will enable the house
to immediately resume payment and business as
usual

Great satisfaction is expressed at the result of the
meeting of creditors of Messrs. Naylor, Vickers, and
Co.,which took place at Sheffield onTuesday. Twenty
shillings in the pound, in addition to interest, is to
be paid by instalments. The liabilities pprove con-
siderably smaller than the first hasty e.tfmate led
the public to believe, and, on the average, do not
fall due until March next. Consequently, the pay-
ment of the tint instalment is deferred until next
July. After payment in full there will remain an
estimated surplus of 225,0001., independent of the
private property of the partners. The creditors
have wisely left the management of the enormous
business in the hands of Messrs. Naylor and
Co. without may interference whatever, no