The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-07 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Jan. 6.—The yarn market was
quiet in the early part of the day in consequence of
the high prices demanded by spinners, but towards
the close a better feeling manifested itself, and more
business was effected at about the prices current last
Tuesday. We seem to be quite recovered from the
depression caused by the excess in the stock of cot-
ton at Liverpool. The market closes firm, with a
decided tendency to higher rates. In cloth there is
also an entire recovery from the check to business
and prices caused by the return of stock at Liver-
pool, and sellers are firm at old prices. If there is
a change it is towards higher prices, but buyers are
acting cautiously, and the amount of business tran-
sacted has been very small. Still, those who are com-
pelled to execute orders through pressing wants, have
been unable to get on sh )rt of very full rates. The
belief is thatwe shall see higher prices. Man ufacturers
are very willing to take orders for cloth to make,
and some of them take them for almost the price of
the yarns from which they will have to be made;
but orders are difficult to obtain even at these prices.
In the little business that has offered printing•cloths
have been as much inquired for as anything. 'There
has also been some inquiry from shippers to Alex-
andria for long-cloths suitable to that market, but,
anxious as manufacturers are to start again, they
have been unable to get prices sufficient to offer an
inducement, except in some few cases. There is
although the time
veryhas alritrtilveeidnciwuihreynfomr more business in this class of
fabrics may be expected. India shirtings and other
eastern goods are still much neglected, and there is
nothing in the recent advices from Calcutta and
Bombay to hold out much hope of an early im-
provement. Home trade houses are low in stocks,
and an improved business, judging from the inquiry,
would be possible in this quarter, but for the check
given by high prices. Messrs. John Slagg and Co.
report :—" The market has completely recovered
from the slight depression which took place on the
declaration of cotton in Liverpool, and manufac-
turers are again firm holders for the full prices of
Tuesday last. Buyers, however, continne to act
very cautiously, and, with the exception of certain
qualities of printing-cloths, for which there is still
a fair demand, there is very little business doing."
NEWPORT (Monmouthshire), sth.—The iron trade
continues tolerably active, and several large orders
have recently come to hand. The trade generally
is in a far better state than it was at the corre-
sponding period of last year. Prices remain about
the same, but the current quotations are firm. The
confidence evinced at the preliminary meeting of
the Staffordshire ironmasters has had a favourable
influence on this district. There is no material
change to report in the coal trade. A good demand
exists for house and gas coals. A large quantity of
coke is now being sent from this district to Stafford-
shire, and in consequence increased employment is
afforded at the collieries. Prices remain unal-
tered.

ROCHDALE, &h.—There has not been quite so
much business done in the markets to-day as was
the average of the markets in December. Yet, con-
sidering that this was what is termed the last of
the old markets, the business was quite as good as
usual, and the tone of the trade was healthy. A
moderate amount of plain and fancy flannels were
bought at late prices. Manufacturers, owing to the
high price of wools,
are stiff in their demands, and
are not eager to accept orders for future delivery
except at the highest current rates. Linseys and
other Yorkshire goods keep in brisk demand, and
at even better prices than of late. Wools are firm
in price, but to-day's sales are not extensive.

LEEDS, Gth.—The cloth market this morning has
not been fully attended. The sales of coloured cloth
which too place were confined to meltons and such-
like light and fancy fabrics. It was evident that
the long continued demand for such goods is quite
unabated. At present manufacturers are bringing
little else to market. They find that as fast as they
can produce them they are bought up, and as good
prices are easily obtained they care not to trouble
themselves much about novelties. These goods are
taken almost altogether for purposes of export.
An immense quantity of them in fancy colours
are being made into shirts, and the Aus-
tralian houses are ready to take almost
any quantity. For the European continent
meltons are in considerable request. The
portion bought by houses in the home trade is very
slight indeed, but as these light woollens are ex-
pected shortly to become fashionable for ladies'
dresses as a substitute for those fabrics which are
now very dear, through the scarcity of cotton and
the high price of wool, the probability is that when
the shipping houses are supplied the exertions of
the manufacturers will be taxed in the same line
for some time to come. A remarkable feature of
the woollen market at the present moment is the
little that is doing in the way of provision for a
legitimate spring trade.