The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-28 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, May 27.—The exciting news from Ame-
rica has withdrawn the attention of buyers almost entirely
from yarns of all kinds, and with the exception of some
little business for Germany, the Mediterranean, and other
of the nearer markets, the market has been exceed-
ingly flat. Even in the small transactions for the Continent
buyers show but little confidence, confining themselves
strictly to the execution of any orders they may have re-
ceived, and declining to take a single bunale beyond. India
buyers are totally out of the market, as the telegrams thence
(which are to the 9th inst.) quote yarns as much lower in
price. This has been a great disappointment to shippers in
the Indian trade, and they have, in consequence, ceased to
make offers of any kind. The classes of yarns suited to
India are quiet, and are in some cases, where spinners are
getting out of contract, rather easier to bny ; but this does
not apply to other descriptions of shipping yarns, which, in
the main, are strong in price. In some instances, where
spinners are heavily under contract for shipping yarns,t hey
are asking even higher than current rates. In home trade
yarns the market has been quiet. Prices are nominally the
same as on Tuesday. Manufacturers appear to have pre-
viously supplied present requirements, and are not disposed
to speculate for a rise. The cloth market is flatter, if pos-
sible, than for yarns. But the fact is that buyers teem for
the present to have again lost confidence in the high prices
still ruling, Manufacturers only in exceptional cases relax
in their prices, being impelled in the other direction by the
high rates of cotton and yarn, but they adhere to these prices
almost without the hope of making nay progress.
LEEDS.—The following is the trade report of the Leeds
Chamber of Commerce for the month of May :—The regular
woollen cloth trade for tb.e spring might be considered as
ended iu April, Nevertheless, a fair steady business has
been done in the warehouses throughout this month, and the
woollen trade generally is in a healthy state. The mills in the
district are well employed, and the manufacturers are busily
engaged preparing for the coming season, the prospects for
which are considered good. The demand for all descriptions
of colonial wool continues steady,without any unusual brisk•
ness. The public sales in London began on the sth inst. at a
trifling advance on March rates. Up to the present time
this has been fully maintained, with a hardening tendency
on most descriptions. The Bradford buyers and the
foreignsrs compete eagerly for most of the better classes.
The new clip of English wools is coming into the market,
and the staplers have had to submit to lower rates, con-
sumers being not inclined to buy for stock at the late extra-
ordinary high prices. Shorts are in good demand at firm
rates. Nods as before. The demand for flax has been
languid, the transactions in this market being principally
from hand to mouth. There is a brisk demand for better
class of tows, and also for low cedillas, et firm rates.
Middle sorts are not sa much in request. Hemps are with-
out change. The growing crops of flax are well spoken ot,
both in this country and in Holland. The spinners continue
to be well employed, and prices are well maintained. Threads
as before. Nearly all the iron works in this neighbourhood
continue to be closed, with no immediate prospect of a settle-
ment of the dispute between the masters and the men. The
new machines for puddling iron are engaging much atten-
tion, thore now in work being well spoken of. The machine-
makers continue to be very busy, as do also the makers of
engineers' tools. The turnout in the iron trade has not
hitherto affected these trades, nor is it probable that it
will do so to any material extent,—at all events, not imme-
diately. Makers of locomotives and railway plant are full
of work. The cut ,nail trade is brisk. During the past month
there has been only a moderate amount of business done in
heavy, while in light sole leather the demand has been quite
equal to the supply, Dressing goods also of most descriptions
have been in good request, and sold readily on arrival at
full rates. Offal, both light and heavy, has commanded a
ready sale, especially light, the supply of which is very much
short of the requirements of the trade, and consequently
prices have gradually advanced. Seed crushing during this
month has not been quite so active as in the previous
month, yet prices for both rape and linseed oil close higher.
The report as to the growing rape crop still continues un-
favourable. Fine linseed is scarce, and a good demand
exists at high rates. Linseed cakes are somewhat lower,
owing to the fine growing weather. A fair business has
been done in olive oils during the month, and the market
closes firm, with a still upward tendency, owing to its great
scarcity. The shoe trade continues brisk, and the makers
are well supplied with orders. No material change has taken
place. A moderate business is doing in paper, but makers
complain that the low prices of foreign papers prevent its
being done at a profit. There has been a good supply of
cattle and sheep, with a ready sale at full rates. Number
shown (four markets), cattle, 2,136; sheep, 17,178. The
corn trade has been dull throughout the month, aed wheat
has receded in price. On the last market day there was
more animation, with firmer prices. Barley languid, Oats
and beans as before.

NOTTINGHAM, 2711.—There was a moderate attendance
at our Exchange-hall to-day, and lace yarns met a toler•
able sale at fully as much money as last week; in some in-
stances higher prices were made. The decrkand for hosiery
yarns was slow, but prices remain very firm. In silks there
is no material change to report. The brown net trade was
very dull, but late prices were maintained.

THE EGYPTIAN HALL.—The following visitors
have during the past week inspected the pictures now on
view at this hall :—The Earl of Dudley, the Earl of Brad-
ford, the Countess Nelson, Lady Bailey, Lady Tankerville,
Lady Henry Moore, Lady Cooke, Hun, Mrs. Farquhar,
Hon. Harriett Ellis, Miss Burdett Coutts, Rev. Sir N.
Chinnery, Bart., Sir N. C. Hamilton, Bart., K.C.8.,
Sir George Baker, Bart., Sir G. Nicholls, K.C.B , lion. F.
G. Ponsonby, Major Carlyon. Major Colley, Mr. Chance
Latlclseer, R.A., Mr. J. Prescott Knight, R•A., &c.