The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-17 00:00:00

THE FRENCH MARKETS.

The tendency to a rise which was remarked in the
French corn-markets last week has not been main-
tained. Still, however, no great reaction has en-

sued. Sellers and buyers are observing each other,
and waiting for some event which may influence the
market. The weather continues favourable to the
growing crops. Wheat is not liable to danger pre-
vious to the blossoming. There was not much
business transacted in the Paris corn-market last
week, in consequence of the non-attendance of either
farmers or millers. Choice samples of white wheat
are quoted at from 34f. to 35f. the sack of 120 kilo-
grammes; first quality, 33f. to 331. 50c.; good, 32f.
to 32t. 50c. ; inferior, 30f. 50c. to 31f. Merchants'
wheat was scarce ; that which arrived from Chartres
was of inferior quality, and is quoted at 32f. Mer-
chants from Montereau refused to sell at less than
341., and no buyers were to be found at that rate.
The price of rye has not varied ; barley is more
offered than sought for ; oats were less plentiful.
The price of bakers' flour is firm, but sales are diffi-
cult. Choice samples are quoted at 62f. ; good marks,
60f. to 61f, the sack of 150 kilogrammes. The market
for flour of the six marks was quiet at the begin-
ning of the week,but some large sales were effected
at the end at 62f.the sack for delivery in April, and
621. 50c. for May and June. The official quota-
tions on Saturday evening are 611. 50c. for the pre-
sent month ; 611. 75c. for April ; 62f. 50c. May and
June. The factors declarea on Saturday 155 sacks
of flour, of which 72 of first quality sold for delivery
within 30 days at from 55f. to 601. The Marseilles
corn market is quiet. The sales are confined to the
requirements of the local bakers, there being no U-
mand from the interior of France. Ships laden with
corn arrive regularly from various quarters, and their
cargoes are gradually disposed of. The Havre corn
market remains dull, the supplies from the Pays de
Caux being greater than the demand. The Bordeaux
market is well supplied with wheat from Brittany, La
Vendee, and Poitou by railway. Good wheat grown
in the Gironde is worth 23f. the 80 kilogrammes, and
other growths 221. to 22f. 75c. Wheat is quoted at
Nantes at from 20f. to 21f. 25c. the 80 kilogrammes,
and good flour at from 571. to 611. the sack of 157
kilogrammes, but there is scarcely any business
doing. At Rouen good wheat is still quoted at
from 25f. 75c. to 281. the 100 kilogrammes ; flour,
56f. to 60f. the sack. Wheat is worth from 18f. to
211. the hectolitre at Lille, and flour 37f. to 38f. the
100 kilogrammes, being a slight decline as com•

pared with the preceding week. Farmers in the
neighbourhood of Strasbourg complain that they
cannot obtain more than from 28f. to 29f. the 100
kilogrammes for their wheat, and 37f. 50c. to 38f.
50c. the 100 kilogrammes for their flour.
Accounts received from the German corn-markets
state that the price of wheat has experienced a
farther fall within the last eight days, and that the
sale has become exceedingly difficult. The cause is
said to be that the heaviest payments for corn pur-
chased are made in March. Speculators purchased
large quantities of wheat during the last autumn
and since the commencement of winter, which is to
be delivered during the month of March. Now
purchasers, not having found an °pi ortunity of dis-
posing of their corn at a profit, are forced to sell it
at any price in order to meet their payments.
Wheat is more offered in the market than rye, par-
ticularly in the north of Germany.

MARKETS—This Day.

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £2 58 to £4 4s Od ; clover
do., £3 lOs to £5 15s; and straw, £1 lOs to £1 18s per load.
Trade slow—supply moderate.
CUMBERLAND.—Mewtow hay, £2 5s to £4 48 ; clover,
do., £3 lOs to £5 15s Od ; and straw, £1 10s to £1 18s per
toad. A slow demand. '

HITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2 5s to £4 4s ; clove'
do. £3 10s to £6 15s; and straw, £1 108 to £1 18s per load.
Tradb inactive.

COLONIAL.

TEA.—The operations have been very limited, business
having been deferred until the public sales, which com-
mence this day.
SUGAR.—The market has been dull, without, however,
any material variation in prices. In the refined market a
moderate amount of business has been recorded, al fully
previous quotations. I
CorrEE.—For the better qualities of colonial there has
been a more active inquiry, and full rates are current.
Other descriptions have remained without chip ge of im-
portance.
RICE.— Only a limited business has been done, at about
previous rates.
SALTPETRE.—The few bargains entered into have been
at about previous quotations.
TALLOW,—The market has been more active, and prices
have shown symptoms of improvement, for both present
and forward delivery, P.Y.C. on the spot being quoted 44s
3d ; and for last three months delivery, 46s 9d to 47s per cwt,

THE FRENCH POST- OFFlCE.—According to official
returns published by the Postmaster-General, the
number of letters transmitted through the Home-office
has increased considerably since the year 1847. In that
year the letters amounted to 126,000,000. In 1848 they
fell off to 122,000,000. In 1854, the first year of the postal
reform, they increased to 212,000,000. In 1856, 1857,
and 1858 they remained stationary at between 2.52,000,000
and 253,000,000. In 1800 they rose to 263,500,000, and in
1861 to 273,200,000. In 1862 they declined to 262,000,000.
The transmission of newspapers and books through the Post-
office has increased in a remarkable manner. They amounted
to 90,000,000 in 1847, and increased to 123,000,006 in 1856,
to nearly 189,000,000 in 1861, and to 173,000,000 for
the first 11 months of 1862. The registered letters like-
I wise are gradually increasing. They amounted to 630,000
in 1860, covering a sum of 427,000,0001, to 815,000 in 1861,
enclosing 521,000,000 f; and to 974,000 in 1862, covering
589,000,0001. Of this large number of registered letters
transmitted through the Post-office in 1862 nine only failed
to reach their destination. The number of postage stamps
likewise have greatly increased since their introduction into
general use. The sale of postage stamps of the value of
20c each, which in 1855 produced only 148,000,000 f, rose in
1860 to 253,000,0001, and in 1862 to 359,000,000. The num-
ber of letters refused in 1862, either in consequence of an
erroneous address or because the address was illegible,
amounted to 2,449,498, of which 635,287 reached their de-
tination after a second inquiry.