The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-31 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Oct. 29.—We have had a resumption of
business to some extent this week, and prices had recovered
a little from the extreme depression of last. Whether it is a
permanent reaction or not remains to be seen. Stocks were
nearly or entirely cleared out, of the goods (India shirtings)
most in request, and prices were down in some cases 20, 25,
and 30 per cent. Under these circumstances, the spinners
and manufacturers haVing had the opportunity of going
into the cotton market under extremely favourable opportua
nities, some considerable contracts were placed, the deli-
veries of which will extend over two, three, and, in some
instances, four months. If the extent of such orders were
mentioned, the figures would seem large; but considering
the period they are spread over, and how much protracted
the market has been for many weeks past, they have not
been much felt. The fact is noteworthy, as showing that
shippers are regaining confidence. Buyers are not so shy
as they have been, and there are a good many more of them
than have appeared in the market for some time past. But
the advent of capitalists in the market who have placed good
orders is generally:soon noised about, and is the signal for a
number of amaller ones and of the more irresolute shippers
to come in with a view of covering their wants before the
market has gone too high. Ih the present instance prices
have gone up tad to 9d per piece from the lowest point, and
some sellers are now asking is per piece more than last
Saturday, The spinners of yarns entering into the make of
Indian shirtings have raised their quotations 2d per lb.,
with a fair business. In all kinds of yarns and cloths
there is rather more business and rather higher rates, but
the market generally is still rather languid.
LEEDS, Oct. 29—To-day's markets have been quiet. In
the coloured cloth hall there has been very little doing, and
at the utmost only a few transactions in dark tweeds and
meltons of a bulk which in good times would be thought
insignificant. In the white market hair lists and other goods
have been little inquired after, and the business done was
not at all equal, even to a poor average. Latest operations
show no change in prices. Merchants have been in a stat e
of great quietude all the week, and the dulness of the
weather has aggravated that flatness which at present is
the normal condition of the woollen trade. The few buyers
who have been down have purchased sparingly of medium
and super black unions, but more so of low goods, and
witneys and other strong 'goods which are getting out of
date can scarcely be sold unless in the way of jobbing,
though it is not unlikely that some sharp weather would
aid materially in getting off some few kinds of heavy
goods and low meltons, which are left on hand in too
great abundance. A moderate business still continues to
be done in fancy coatings and tweeds. Sample orders for
spring goods are getting more numerous, but it is not
unlikely that some of those manufacturers who have some
time been at work on spring styles will soon slacken their
production a little, until they can get some assurance as to
what the tone of the demand will be when at maturity.
BRADFORD, Oct. 29.—Upon a balance of reports we may
pronounce the worsted trade to be a shade better than we
had to state last week. It is true there is no great demand
for piece goods either for the home trade or for exportation,
all parties acting cautiously. But as money is easier, and
as cotton has shown more animation, there seems a better
feeling in the worsted trade generally, and manufacturers
are acting with more spirit than was lately noticeable.
Neither yarns nor goods are in heavy stock. so much cau-
tion has been used, partly in consequence of the high price
of the raw material, and partly in consequence of the un-
certainty as to when the American civil war might termi-
nate, net to spin, manufacture, or buy beyond the legiti-
mate wants of the hour. The alpaca manufacture keeps up
well, and for some kinds of fancy worsted goods there is a
fair demand, more especially by flreign buyers. Not much
is doing in yarns for exportation, and hence spinners com-
plain of slackness in consequence of orders not being re-
ceived in succession to those worked or nearly worked out.
Prices of wool, yarns, and goods are generally firm, and
those of the first-named article are a shade better than last
week.

HUDDERSFIELD, Oct. 29.—50 far as the sale of goods,
trouserings as well as coatings, is concerned, the trade in
the public market and at the warehouses this week has been
very slack ; but in other respects the trade has rather im-
proved, a better tone having obtained in the trade, money
being easier and hopes entertained that the worst of the
commercial failings affecting this district has passed. As
stock-taking will soon be commenced by the large houses,
and other preparations be made for the settling of the year,
it seems very probable that the markets here will remain
quiet for the ensuing two months. In the meantime there
appears a fair prospect that the manufacturers may main-
tain with safety their present rate of production, which is
less than it was a month ago. All things considered, prices
are well maintained. Wool is quite as high as last week.
HALIFAX, Oct. 29.—The piece trade is little or no better,
sc fer as regards practical operations, but it is evident that
a better feeling is gaining ground. The carpet and damask
branches are flat, as before reported, with not so good a
prospect as there appears to be before the worsted manufac-
turers. Yarn spinning is still carried on only to a limited
extent, but advices from Germany indicate that the condi-
tion of stocks there might soon tell favourably upon the
market,. There is a more cheerful tone in the local wool
market, and as financial prospects seem to be brightening
staplers are not as stiff in regard to prices as they were a
week ago.
LEICESTER, Oct. 29.—Manufacturers have been well
engaged during the past week completing orders for hosiery
goods; but in consequence of the high rate of interest and
the unsteadiness of the cotton market, not many fresh
orders have been given cut. The wool market continues
quiet, but there is rather more inquiry for material.
Yarns are selling at late quotations, and spinners are
fairly employed.

NOTTINGHAM, Oct. 29.—There is not tho slightest im-
provement noticeable in the lace trade. During the past
week business has been exceedingly depressed in all depart-
ments. A few Mechlin quilling orders have been corn,
pleted, but these have been on a very small scale. There is
nothing doing in plain nets for foundation uses. Cotton
fancies are not much inquired after, and no stocks are
allowed to accumulate, so that employment is more partial
than it has been for some time past. In silk goods there is
no improvement. Silk Mechlins and quillings are not in
demand, and black laces and narrow ocings continue ex.
ceedingly dull,buyers only purchasing for immediate wants.
The depression in the hosiery trade remains as quiet as for
several weeks past, The home market is very dull, and
shipping orders are scarce. The factories are now working
short time, as manufacturers (with the present state of the
money market and the possibility of yarns becoming lower)
will only make to order. In fact both the lace and hosiery
trades have been exceedingly flat during the week, and
there is no immediate prospect of any improvement what-
ever. The price of yarns remain about the same as last
week, but there is very little doing.