The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-24 00:00:00

CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
REDUCTION IN THE BANK RATE.

The directors of the Bank of England at their
weekly court to-day have reduced the minimum
rate of interest and discount from 8 per cent., at
Which it was adjusted on the 31 inst., to 7 per cent.
This important measure has not occasioned much
surprise, because the recent tendency of monetary
affairs prepared the public for it, if not this week,
on Thursday next at latest. The return to ap-
pear this evening is understood to be
exceedingly favourable es regards the bul-
lion, the reserve of notes, and the " other
securities." 0 wing to the easier terms lately cur-
rent in the general market, the bulk of the discount
business has been negotiated there, the Bank being
excluded from its ordinary share. The necessity
has thus arisen for a relaxation, and it will no
doubt give an incentive to commercial and other en-
terprises after the holidays. _ _ .

About £121,000 in bar gold was taken into the
Bank yesterday.
The last week's railway receipts ascertained up to
this day are in round figures as under :-
1863. 1862.
Great Western £59,330 £56,457
North-Western
South- Western
Brighton
Midland 42,428 40,340
South-Eastern 19,388 18,070
Great Northern
Lancashire and Yorkshire.. 35,624 31,614
Bristol and Exeter
North-Eastern 54,938 64,259
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln 16,553 14,910
Glasgow and South Western 7,537 7,800
Scottish North Eastern 4,940 4,688

These returns, compared with those of the same
period of last year, are, with one or two exceptions,
extremely favourable. On the Great Western
there is an increase of £2,873 ; on the North
Western of £7,165; on the South Western of
£2,332 ; on the Midland of £2,088 ; on the South
Eastern of £1,318 ; on the Great Northern of
£6,051 ; on the Bristol and Exeter of £123 ; on the
North Eastern of £679; on the Manchester, Shef-
field, and Lincoln of £1,643; and on the Scottish
North Eastern of £262. The Brighton, however,
shows a decrease of £1,217 ; and the Glasgow and
South Western of £263.

Two O'CLOCK.

At Paris this morning (according to Mr. Reuter's
telegram) the 3 per Cent. Rentes were 66f. 35c.
Heavy.

The annexed circular has been issued this morn-
ing :

40, Lombard-street, Dec. 24, 1863.

Gentlemen,—We have to inform you that we have made
arrangements for the combination of eur business with that
of our friends, Cunliffes & Co., of 24, Lombard-street, on
Ist of January next, under the style of Aloxanders, Con-
liffes & Company. The business will be carried on both at
40 and 24, Lombard street, until the 15th of next month,
When it will be conducted solely at 24, Lombard-street,
until the premises in course of erection at 30 and 31, Lom-
bard .street are completed. Trusting that under the new
arrangement we shall receive a continuance of your favours,
We remain, yours, faithfully, A, & G. W. ALEXANDER
4t Co.
The effect of the reduction in the ;Sank rate at
the Stock Exchange would probably have been
greater had it not occarred on the eve of the holi-
days. There is naturally a disposition to look for-
ward to the future with increased confidence in
consequence of the altered aspect of monetary
affairs, but the chapter of accidents is taken into
consideration, and the continued diminution in the
stock of bullion at the Bank of France is not lost
Bight of by speculators who are in the habit of
taking every circumstance into careful considera-
tion. There is, nevertheless, general buoyancy
prevailing in all the markets, and most of the
favourite securities are at enhanced , quotations.
Consols are about k higher, being 944 for money,
and 91a I for the account. The New Threes
and the Reduced Annuities are 91! ; and Ex-
chequer Bills, 9s. 4s. die. India Stock, ex div. for
the opening of the transfer-books, is marked 218;
India 5 per Cents., 106 a ; and the Debentures, 994

In the Foreign Market increased buoyancy has
prevailed, and business is more active. Turkish 6
per Cents., 1862, are 71 ; do, Consolides, 471, 48
Mexican, 371 !4-; lireek, 254 i; Spanish Passive,
33f, 7 ; Portuguese, 49 I; Italian, 702 -I; and the
Confederate Loan, 37 39.

In the Railway Share Market the operations
have been moderately active, and prices have in
most instances tended upwards. Caledonian, Great
Western, Brighton, and South Western have ad-
Vaneed 55., and Great Northern A Stock, £1 ;
Metropolitan and South-Eastern, however, have
declined ss.

The Foreign and Colonial lines remain at about
rormer rates.
Bank and Miscellaneous Shares continue in fair
request at full prices. London and Westminster
realise 80; ; London and Colonial 361. 1; Crystal
Palace Stock is quoted 331; National Shipping
Company, Ito 1 prem.; Pacific Steam, 11 prem.;
Contract Corporation, 3/ 4-1- prem.; and Consoli-
dated Discount, 11-, 2 prem.