Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-18 00:00:00

THE STATE OF TRADE IN FRANCE:

Pleasant reports, most of which proved to
be groundless, tended last week to cast a deeper
gloom on commercial prospects. Commercial men
are unfortunately too prompt to feel alarm when
political difficulties are not surmounted as
quickly as they desire. The lessons of experience
are soon lost sight of; they forget that these
difficulties are seldom more than temporary,
and that discouragement is one of the 'worst
evils that can befall them. France has passed
through many a worse crisis than the' present
-a monetary crisis, a commercial' crisis, 'a
financial crisis ; each of which left sorrowful
traces after them. The evil at present is on the
surface, and in a great measure imaginary ; it,
nevertheless, causes much individual suffering.
That distress is not confined to .the humbler
classes, is demonstrated by the -number of forced
sales of splendid furniture, and costly female orna-
ments, at the public salerooms last week. No
great mercantile catastrophe, however, is to be
apprehended, such as frequently occurs at the
close of the year. There have been very few
speculations engaged in on credit : most of the
business transactions latterly being for cash.
Another danger has been avoided-that of accumu-
lating a vast quantity of produce in the public
Stores, to be finally disposed of at a heavy loss to
the owners. The amount of capital unemployed
is immense, and only waits for a favourable
moment when it may be employed to advantake.
There are grounds, then, to' expect that when a
favourable reaction takes place, it will be solid
.and of. loos duration... But neither merchants,
manufacturers, nor finaneiprq aro y- imsitited
with confidence, and confidence is the most indis-
pensable capital-it is that which sets all others
in motion. Tradesmen, therefore, should bear
the present stagnation patiently, and not need-
lessly alarm theinsel yes.
The Paris Flour Market was heavy at the begin-
ning of last week, but for the last two days more
activity was observable among buyers, and flour
of the four marks particularly was in better de-
mand. The general opinion among speculators,
however, is that no great rise in prices is to be
expected. Bakers are still very cautious in
making purchases. The factors declared on Fri-
day 2,730 sacks of flour, first quality, sold for deli-
very within 30 days, at prices varying from 46f. 50c.
to 55f. the sack of 157 kilogrammes, and 7,458
sacks for bakers' use. A sale by auction in Paris of
2,600 sacks flour of various qualities, is advertised
for Wednesday next. There was a fall in wheat
in the Paris market of Wednesday of 30c. the
hectolitre. The choicest samples of both old and
new wheat were offered at 24f. 58c. the 100 kilo-
grammes. The corn market of Nantes is quiet,
without, however, . any decline in prices. Flour
is firm, at from 52f. to 55f., the sack, according
to quality. The corn markets in Upper and
Lower Languedoc, Bordeaux. Montpellier, and
Marseilles are heavy. The markets in the depart-
inent of the Saone are firm ; those of Alsace
and Lorraine are dull, without any variation
in prices. Oats generally are in good demand,
both for immediate and future delivery. Choice
samples for immediate delivery outside the bar-
riers bring 18f. 33c. to 18f. .66c. the 100
kilogrammes, and for delivery within six months
17f. 50c. to 18f. The demand for spirits
keeps up the price of rye. Buyers from
the north paid 18f. 50c. the 115 kilogrammes.
Barley is likewise in good- demand at 18f. 75c.
the 100 kilogrammes. Champagne barley, first
quality, finds buyers at 19f. The telegraph
gives us the prices of the corn-markets held
yesterday Arras.-A small wheat market
sales easy, at from 16f. to 20f. 40c. the hectolitre."
Chartres.-A small market, brisk sales, at a rise
of 50c. the hectolitre. Oats in good demand, at
a rise of 50c. the sack." " Dijon.-A small mar-
ket ; old wheat, 24f. 50e. the 100 kilogrammes,
being a fall of 250. ; new wheat, 21 to 22f. ; oats,
15f. 50c. the 100 kilogrammes; flour, 42f. 50e,
the sack of 125 kilogrammes." " Metz.-906 hec-:
tolitres of wheat sold at from 23f. to 24f. the 100
kilogrammes ; 100 quintals of oats sold to the
War Department at 16f. 34c." " Orleans.-A
.arge market of wheat, and no variation in prices."