The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-24 00:00:00

RESIGNATION OF SIR J. SHRUM'.

Sir J. SHELLEY, M.P., said the permanent chairman
of the board having been now appointed, he felt it a
duty incumbent upon him to resign his position as a
member of the board. There was an incident connected
with his election for the parish of St. James's, West-
minster, which made his election at least doubtful ; and
after a consideration of the circumstances, and believing
that it would be upon the whole better for the interests
of the parish of St. James that be should withdraw from
the board, he would now tender his resignation in
writing.
Mr. D'IFFANGRR doubted whether Sir John Shelley
could resign legally before the Ist of January, as the
board did not actually commence its functions until that
day.
Sir J. SHELLEY said, if that were so, he should con-
tent himself with now giving notice that on the first sit-
ting of the board in January he should place his resigna•
tion in writing in the chairman's hands.
Mr. THWAITES thanked the Board for the honour con-
ferred on him, promising them he would do his utmost
to discharge the duties of the office.
The meeting shortly after separated, arrangements
having previously been made for the next meeting of the
Board on the Ist of January.

STATE OF TRADE.

(Front the Manchester Guardian of Saturday.)

MANCHESTER, Dec. 21.—As the week advanced the
quietness reported in our Wednesday's publication has be-
come mere apparent. Spinners have found the home con-
sumers buying only to a moderate extent, the India mer-
chants disappointing their expectations, and the Germans
keeping aloof on account of the frost. As to prices, we may
remark generally that there is no alteration, beyond that
trifling difference here and there which always accompa-
nies even a slight abatement of activity. The American
season being closed, certain kinds of printing cloths, par-
ticularly 27-inch 66 reeds, are now dull and somewhat
weak in price ; and this remark applies equally to mixed
fabrics for the same quarter. For other quarters, how-
ever, 26-inch printers are in fair request at steady rates,
as aro also 36 inch shirtings. The better qualities of
domestics are inanimate, as indeed are most cloths just
now that are more especially prepared for the home mar-
ket, very much because the buyers are preparing to take
stock.

LUC/ESTER, Dec. 21.—The advance in the wool mar-
ket, and especially the high prices required for skin
combing, has rendered an advance of a halfpenny per
lb. on worsted yarns quite imperative, and stocks being
low in the spinners' bands, it must be acceded to in any
new purchases made for the new year.

WOOLLEN TRADE.
(From, the Leeds Mercury of Saturday.)

LEEDS, Dec. 21.--We have to report a considerable
improvement in the woollen trade this week. There
has been a good attendance of buyers. Some of the
largest houses in London, SCotland, and Ireland, have
had their representatives here during the last few days,
and in some instances they have purchased freely.
The present seasonable weather has also brought a good
many small orders for heavy goods from the country
drapers, which, together with the wholesale purchases,
have given considerable activity to business in the ware-
houses.
LElCEsTSll,—Considering the falling off of Govern-
ment orders and the near approach of Christmas, there
is more doing than usual at this season, especially in the
fancy hosiery branch, which the present weather coming
before Christmas always improves. The advance in the
wool market, and especially the high prices required for
skis► coinbiug, have rendered an advance of a halfpenny
per lb. on woreted yarns quite imperative, and stocks
being low in the spinners' hands, it must be acceded to
in any new purohase wade for the new year.