The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-20 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE,

MANCHESTER, Jan. 19.—Unfavourable commercial and
political advices have almost paralysed the yarn and cloth
market. In shipping yarns the amount of business done
to-day has been very small. Offers have been made for
considerable quantities for China and the Mediterranean,
but at prices too low to lead to business. Some trade yarns
are apparently flatter than those suitable to shippers, and
prices have declined more in proportion. Sellers say there
has been scarcely business enough to test prices, and that
the irregularity prevailing among spinners renders it almost
impossible to state with accuracy, or in fact so as not to
mislead, what the extent of decline has been. One of our
leading mercantile houses states the decline in cop yarns is
equal to id. per lb. on all descriptions, as compared with
the rates of last Friday. In the cloth market buyers have
been keeping quite aloof from business, and have not even
been making offers. Under these circumstances it is diffi-
cult to arrive at a correct quotation of prices, but there is
no doubt that if sales had to be pressed they would have
to be made at a considerable reduction on last week. The
chief cause of depression is the state of affairs between
Denmark and Germany, added to which the fears enter-
tained as to the alteration of discounts exert no inconsi-
derable influence. The impression before alluded to in
our trade reoorts as to the future prices of cotton also
continue to affect business in the market. It would
be seen by Mr. Farnall's and Mr. Maclure's reports
to the Central Executive Relief Committee yesterday that
the number of applicants for relief in the week ending the
9th inst. had increased by upwards of 10,000 persons,
owing to the closing of mills, and there is reason to fear
that the number will go on increasing for some time to
come. Well informed people say that the number thrown
out of work for some weeks to come will exceed anything
that has yet taken place. At Stockport one of the largest
mills in the district is going from six to two days per week.
At Blackburn it is estimated that 5,000 looms are about to
be stopped. At Accrington, Darwen, Stalybridge, Ashton,
Glossop, Hadfield, and Mottram, and many other places,
spindles and looms are likely to be stopped altogether,
while a great addition is likely to be made to those on
short time. On all hands we hear that trade does not pay,
and that spinners and manufacturers in many cases are
becoming too impoverished to continue their present risks.
Messrs. John Slagg and Co. report of the cloth market of
this day :—" We have again to report a very inanimate
market, buyers appearing more than ever determined to do
as little business as possible. Prices are nominally the
same as on Tuesday last, and we make no change in our
quotations, but it offers were made for quantities, no doubt
some concessions would be made by sellers."

LEEDS, 19th—There has been a moderate attendance at
the cloth halls this morning, both of buyers and sellers, but
the market was very quiet. The weather, being wet and
sloppy, operates against the spring trade, and to-day's pur-
chases were chiefly miscellaneous, no great quantity being
taken of any particular class of goods. This applies to
business in the coloured cloth hall. In the white cloth hall
a moderate amount of business was done in mediums in the
balk state. There is no change in the report from the manu-
facturers in the outlying districts, most of whom keep well
employed. Goods and wool alike keep steady. The flax
trade is steady, and a goed demand is experienced for yarns
and thread.
BARNSLEY, 19th,—The linen trade just now is fully as
brisk as it has been for some months past, and for several
description of goods there has been a very fair demand.
This has been more particularly the case with regard to
skeetings ; some of the manufacturers, however, not having
' a superabundance of the required reeds and healds, and
there being nu certainty of the demand continuing, they
have not given out so much work as they otherwise would
have been warranted in doing under the circumstances.
The damask trade has been dull for some time past, owing
in a considerable degree to the continued high price of
yarns, Huckabacks, glass-cloths, and common diapers
are in moderately good request, as are window-ticks, for
blinds, of cotton and worsted warp. Little or nothing
doing in shirtings and bedtickings. The latter branch of
the trade would appear as if it was leaving the town alto-
gether, judging from the little done in it. There has not
been much done lately in drills by the hand, while by
power there has been a tolerably fair trade. Crumb•clotbs
have risen considerably of late, and there is every prospect
of prices remaining firm. Drabbets have improved, while
there has been but little doing in the fancy trade. Most of
the handloom weavers are tolerably well employed, but the
class of goods on which they aro engaged being of low qua-
lity the amount earned by them is small. Bleachers con-
tinue to be well employed, not being altogether dependent
on the town.
NOTTINGHAM, 19th,—There was a rather better attend-
ance at this Exchange-hall to-day, but the demand for lace
yarns was quiet. A small share of business was done, and
recent rates may be quoted. Tho demand for hosiery yarns
was also inactive, and the sales made were at former terms.
Silks remain at the old prices. As the season advances it is
expected that rates will advance. There was not much de-
mand for brown nets, and prices are without any material
alteration.

ROCHDALE, 'lBth.—There has boon more animation in
the flanmd market to-day than for some weeks past. A
fair amount of both plain and fancy goods were sold, and
rather more business was also done in Yorkshire goods.
Prices are steady and firm. The wool market was not brisk,
but prices are well maintained by the dealers. Manufac-
turers buy cautiously, and mostly to supply their immediate
wants only.