The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-29 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

( Front the Manchester Guardian of Saturday.)
MANCHESTER, Oc;;, 26.—We stated in our last report
that, although the down wa7cl course of prices had rc•
ceived no check, indications of a slightly improved tone
of feeling were not unobservable. Sitva then the direc-
tors of the Bank of England have held their weekly
meeting, at which no fui thtr a'taTation in the rate of
discount was made. It appears, therefore, that a some-
what ea-ier state of the ourrencj is now experienced.
This was showing itself in tbeearlier part of the week, and
has become more apparent e-ch succeeding day. For some
time back mercantile men have been narrowing their ha-
bilities, and gathering their resources- under their hands
as much as possible. The benefit of this cautious pro-
cedure bas been felt as the drain of gold has proceeded,
at-. -1 as the rate of interest has risen, and is very palpable
to everybody at the present moment. The entire trade
of the country has remelt! .1 sound and underanged, with
no other exception than the fall in prices. Our own dia-
-1 tea has exhibited a remarkable case in regard to means,
and so also have most of the other graat centres of indus-
try and commerce, while scarcely any abridgment of em-
ployment for manufacturing operatives has taken place.
But a conviction that the uncertainty of our position ren-
ders continued caut'on indispensable to safety, seems to
have rooted itself deeply in the minds of merchants and
dealers, spinners and manufacturers. They have seen a
' very str;kinginetance of the power of political causes to
effect a most serious financial disturbance, Which does not
shake our tre le, only becau,e that trade is, on the
whole, upon a solid footing ; and, with this fresh in their
memories, they are not likely to be thrown off their
guard by appearances which are so manifestly liable to
pass away. So that, although the price of yarns am'
gcods have now declined to very low ranges, the differ.
ent classes of buyers are still holding back from business
a a very decided way, and the market at large remains
flat. But people are less gloomy, and are inclined to think
that was have perhaps seen the worst ; though aslight
shadow is east upon us from the United States. We
find that there has been more inquiry to-day for cloth
of some descriptions on the part of home houses ; and
purchases of goods for India and China have been
made, for delivery within a short time, on account of the
sailing of a certain vessel. In the same way, 16s. to
245. water twist has been taken for China. But the ope-
rations we speak of are few and exceptienal, and do not
materially affect a general estimate of the market-. They
are, however, valuable as barometers. The parties to
these transactions are persons possessing ample resources,
and not given to ill-considered ventures ; it is, therefore,
a fact to be noted when they venture to act under cir-
cumstances.such as now exist.
NOTTINGHAM, Oct. 25.—Since our last report of the
condition of business in th;q town, nothing worthy of re-
mark has occurred, and both the hosiery and lace trades
are in a more healthy state than might naturally be ex-
pected. Although the action of the Bank of England
has not affected us seriously just yet, still it must, if
continued, have the effect of crippling trade here as well
as elsewhere.
HALIFAX, Oct. 26,—Things have been flat daring the
,leek, and prices of wools are barely maintained.

A ROMANTIC STORY.—MisS Clara Haskins was found
dead in her bridal dress and chamber near' Natchez,
Mississippi, on the 2d ult. After be'ng dressed by her
bridesma ds she recpu sted them to retire for a short time,
and when they returned they found her lying
upon her couch with an empty phial, which had con-
tained prussiC aiiJ, still clasped in her hand. She had
a'lopted the desperate alternative of self-destruction
rather than marry a man, in obedience to parental au-
Washington Inteiligencer.
thority, she could :id love.—