The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-15 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

- - --..-
MANCHESTER, Jan. 13. lhe market was quiet at the
opening, but towards the close a Itat'sfer feeling sprang up,
and we have had more doing in yarns, a►z the extreme prices
of last week. The feeling towards the close was much more
confident than at the commencement of businl/4..`5,, and the
market closes strong. There was a good deal of f.uquirY
after yarns for shipping, and the bias of prices has et:een
upwards for all descriptions of yarns except those suitable
for the home trade, which may be quoted down from last
week, id to ld per lb. The telegram from Calcutta has hack.

a good effect so far as yarns are concerned. The telegram
from Bombay is not so encouraging as regards cloth: This

telegram, which is to Dec. 27, reports the market dull, with
little or no change since previous accounts. At Calcutta
shirtings were 4 to 6 annas (6d to 9d) per piece higher, and
jaceonets were advanced in about the same proportion,
with some speculative demand for the former. These advices
have had a good effect here to-day, but the American ad-
vices yesterday caused almost a panic, and the prices of all
kinds of cloth declined considerably. To-day prices are
firmer again, partly owing to the advices above referred to
from Calcutta, but they have not recovered entirely, and
shirtings may still Le quoted at a decline of 6d per piece.
In printers and some other cloths the decline is more consi-
derable. There has been a good deal of inquiry, and in some
cases it has led to business. Buyers have been testing the
prices of Indian, among other cloths ; but the sales made
in these goods are not supposed to be for present shipment.
The business is reported to have been very limited for all
kinds of cloth during the day, but the market appeared to
be acquiring confidence towards the close. The report of
Mr. Farnal that there was a further decrease of pauperism
to the extent of 7,000 persons last week, making a total
decrease in three weeks of 18,000, has naturally had a
cheering effect here, as well as throughout the country, but
it must be recollected that there are still 253,000 persons re-
ceiving parish relief, and that the high prices of cotton and
the fluctuations in the market give but little hope of any
extensive further resumptfon of work by the mills for some
time. As a demand springs up for one market and starts
new mills, there is a probability that business for some
others will fall off, and thus it is feared there will be a
fluctuation—hands that have been in employ being thrown
out, while others that have been unemployed will be taken
on. People speak confidently of there being cot-
ton enough to keep all the mills going three days
per week, but, unfortunately, there is no law by which
the cotton can be so distributed as to supply each mill-
owner with an equal share, and the probability is that
some mills will run full time, as now, while others will
continue idle. We regret to hear that a large concern at
Padiham, having 800 looms, that of Messrs. Knowles and
Co., has suspended payment, thus throwing out of work a
considerable number of people. Their liabilities are re-
ported at £12,000 to £20,000. Messrs. John Slagg and Co.
report :—" From Tuesday last to the close of the week the
market continued firm ; but with the exception of some
kinds of longcloths and printers the demand continued to
be on a very small scale. Yesterday and to-day, notwith-
standing the improved accounts from the India markets,
buyers have, owing to the advices by the Scotia, held
aloof, and there has been some irregularity in prices, but
very little business done."
LEEDS, Jan. I.3.—The weather has been very foggy to-
day, and therefore prejudicial to the transaction of business
in the cloth-halls, for without a proper amount of light
buyers are unable to judge satisfactorily either of the colour
or the quality of woollen fabrics offered for sale. All things
considered, a fair amount of business was done both in
light spring goods and ordinary cloths. The trade keeps
firm in tone, and while the bulk of the machinery and the
hands are fairly employed, stocks do not very materially
increase. w ools are firmly held at late prices, and ther
is no change as to the quotations for cloth.
ROCHDALE, Jan. 12.—T0-day there was a good attend-
ance of buyers in the flannel market, which is considered
the opening market of the year. Manufacturers were
firm in their demand at the highest quotations which have
lately prevailed, which somewhat checked operations, yet
withal there was a satisfactory amount of business done.
Many of the manufacturers have good orders on hand, so
that the condition and prospects of the trade look healthy.
Yorkshire goods, especially linseys and fabrics of a similar
character, sell well, and prices are firm. Not much was
done in wool to-day, but prices keep up.
SHEFFIELD, Jan. 10.—Considerably improved orders for
cutlery and tiles have been received from America during
the last few weeks, but it is feared they afford no indica-
tion of permanent improvement. The American demand
for war steel is unabated, and steel for agricultural imple-
ments is also being ordered. The Canadian orders are as
yet small. The continental markets show little change.
The slackening of the demand for steel for France con-
tinues. Orders are arriving thus early from Russia, giv-
ing promise of a moderately "good season. The Indian
orders are smaller, and the orders from Australia and the
Cape are only moderate. The home markets are as yet
supplying only small orders, as is usual in the first weeks
of January. Of the different branches of trade, the manu-
facture of steel is most active, though some departments of
that trade are duller than they were a few weeks ago.
More is doing in the commoner classes of cutlery, but that
trade is still dull. Some firms have good orders for silver-
plated and Britannia metal goods, saws, files, and edge
tools, but other houses are very dull. The stove-grate
trade is moderately good for the season.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

, b...
LYNN—TUESDAY.

To-day wheat came moderately to hand, and good dry
samples were fully as dear ; damp parcels warte(a slow sale.
Malting barley scarce, and advanced in price; grinding BS
last week. Beans and oats firm.

White ..48s to 51s I Barley.... 35s to 36s
Red.. 478 to 49s I Grinding ..31s to 32s
Beans .36s to 408 I Oats .2os to 24s
New —s to —a I Peas —s to —0