The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-25 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, July 24.
The yarn market has been very inactive, and though
prices were nominally steady, there is no doubt that buyers
disposed to give out contracts could have made rather
easier terms. The principal reason for holding back is
probably to be looked for in the last advices (rein the
United States, where cotton continues to come forward
more freely than usual for the time of the year, and
where the prospects of the now ripening crop are exceed-
ingly satisfactory. These advices are supposed to point
to lower prices, awl hence buyers of cotton manufactures
will continue to act with caution, uulesru-some occurrence,
such as an unexpected revival of demand, should alter
their position.
The cloth-market, like that for yarn, is a good deal
quieter than last week, and principally owing to the
same'fsiremnstances. The earnestness, however, with
which manufacturers have at length taken up the short-
time question must soon have a somewhat counteracting
effect on prices.
The determination of 33 firms at Blackburn, most of
them very extensive manufacturers, to reduce the hours
of labour in their mills from 60 to 40 boars per week,
must of itself have a considerable effect on the market.
The present production of yarn there is estimated
at over 700,0001 b. per week, in addition to upwards
of 200,0001 b. of spinnings from Staleybridge and
other towns. The looms employed are estimated
at about 20,000, producing near upon a million
pounds of cloth per week. By a reduction of the hours
of working to four days, instead of six, per week, it fol-
lows that about 333,0001 b. weight of cloth per week will
1-. e taken off the market ; and, in addition to short time
at Blackburn, it appears that the manufacturers of Har-
sood, Darwen, and Accrington are all following the
xlmple. At Accrington notice has already been given
to the workpecyle to work two days less per week. In
addition to`these it has been already mentioned that there
Are here and then o mills all over the manufacturing dis-
trict which have been 'Wholly or partially stopped, with-
out any waiting by the owners for concert on the part of
their neighbours.

---
THE METROPOLITAN BOROUGHS.—Meetinge in sup
portof Sir W. Molesworth and Sir 13. Hall were held
yesterday in Southwark and Marylebone. They were
numerously attended, and pl2dges were given to re-elect
each of the right lion. baronets in his borough.
TII Crry.---Wha,t do the authorities intend to do
with the ruins in Skinner-street, ? Valuable
land is in the City and its immediate neighbourhood,
surely some improvement here would pay, while it added
to the comforts and welfare of the inhabitants. Some
years ago we were told that a sum of money was pro-
vided by the corporation to build lodging-houses, baths,
&e.; yettherei
do w
sneitleie hearral ofodgiye public-ho
nsonolribpruaybrlic bath
in the City, nor
1:r. Challis was so anxious to provide when he hwicahs
mayor. In the northern suburbs we have no baths, and
hut, fen, other institutions that conduce to improvement ;
ailil that
til:flir:l::fdre:oreutsc)o-oncLe.(l
with it, it does 4rv_it present that pictura of Christian
love and charity which we, as professors, are in duty
bound to show.—.2l4e Builder.