The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-22 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, February 21.—Yesterday the yarn
market opened with an appearance of more stabi-
lity, and so far as shipping qualities are concerned
it was thought that prices had touched the lowest
point for a time, but to-day business has again be-
come exceedingly quiet, and lower prices would
have to be taken to make sales to any extent. All
counts of home trade yarns are also quiet. The
finer numbers are the most depressed in prices, and
especially those made from Egyptian cotton. In
cloths there has not been much business done since
this day week. The last American news, though
confirming the impressions of those who thought the
war was likely to go on, has done little to stimulate
business. The rumours of peace negotiations which
have come from time to time have had such effect in
depressing prices, and such repeated heavy losses
have been sustained through them, that confidence
seems to have become thoroughly unsettled. Buyers
show more than usual caution (it almost amounts to
timidity), and seem quite indisposed to operate with
any spirit. There have been a few offers, but they
have been confined to a few hands, nothing like a
general demand being experienced, and prices offered
low. As a rule, makers of cloth are too well en-
gaged to accept the very low prices offered, and as
these offers could only in most cases be taken
with any advantage by manufacturers, who have to
go into the market for cotton or yarn at present ex-
ceptional and low rates, for somewhat distant de-
livery, they have found acceptance only in rare
instances. But still there have been some few sales
below what may be called the ordinary market rates.
The chief business done has been in Eastern shirt-
ings. On the whole only a small actual business has
been transacted, and at somewhat reduced rates.
LEEDS, 20th.—The markets in the cloth-halls this
morning have been of the same quiet character as
for the last two or three market days. The weather
is still very winterly, a strong frost prevailing, and
some slight showers of snow having fallen this morn-
ing. Spring meltons, tweeds, and other goods, both
coatings and trouserings, suitable for the coming
season, have been purchased to a moderate extent,
considering the number of buyers present, but, as
already stated, the markets were devoid of animation.
The manufacturers are scarcely so brisk as we lately
had to report them, and many are working to stock
in anticipation of an increased demand when the
spring trade, which it seems probable will be a late
one, fairly sets in. The export houses to the Con-
tinent, like the home trade firms, are far from being
busy. The flax trade is not so active as it was a month
ago, but most of the machinery is kept running
full time. Wools, as well as woollen and mixed
fabrics, show little change in price, and quotations
are nominally the same as last week.

NOTTINGHAM, 21st.—There was a tolerable at-
tendance at this Exchange-hall to-day, and the
demand for lace yarns was rather improved, prices
being much the same as on the previous week. The
demand for hosiery yarns was very flat, and only an
exceedingly small ',amount of business was done at
recent rates. For silks prices were very firm.
There was rather more doing in brown nets, and
prices were unchanged.
ROCHDALE, 20th.—There is no material change in
the flannel trade since last market day. Buyers
operate very cautiously, and the goods brought to-
day and during the past week have been quite of a
miscellaneous character. The severity of the wea-
ther, though it is probably causing a good demand
upon the retail dealers, is not imparting any anima-
tion to this market. On the contrary,
purchas-
ing of spring goods is retarded, but a few parcels of
I
such have been sold to-day. the
trade keeps in the same state of quietness as we have
lately had to report.
Manufacturers still keep
moderately well emPloYed and prices of both
goods and wool are ateaciP

PASTIMES. —There was a
the 2d of February on the ice-
skating carnivaldav was beautiful and clear, and there could
bridge.
dlV:cdedElßy ahead of
The than 5 000 persons present. The young
_0 been less , .
not have
the maseulines ; one
d off the palm for difficult and graceful evolu-
tions, carried
lady in particular, the daughter of one of our Lower
, CANADIAN WINTER
young,own merchants, surprised and excited the admiration of
all pie
tio
• sent by the gracefulness of her curves and figures,
and the perfect ease with which they were performed.
The grand "bonspiel" of the Curling Club comes off to-
morrow. During the moonlight nights the ice-bridge will
be the great centre of amusement.—Quebec News.
FRIGHTFUL DEATH BY MACIIINERY.—An inquiry
was held at Birmingham on Saturday into the death
of Caroline Kerr, aged 18. On Tuesday the deceased went
to work at the button manufactory of Mr. Rohr.. A
witness named Elizabeth Baylee was at work in the shop
o- ''

Le same afternoon, when the deceased asked about
ier work, and the witness told her to go to Mr. Baylee
n charge of the engine and get the boards nailed up.
Deceased said she should not, but would sweep
her bench or lathe first. The witness continued
her work, and did not notice what the deceased was
doing till she suddenly hoard her cry, " Lizzie, Lizzie,"
and on turning round saw her gradually loosing hold of her
hand from the bench which she had been cleaning. She
disappeared, and her head came in contact with the roof at
each revolution of the shaft, making an indention on it.
The witness called for the engine to be stopped. The de-
ceased was then taken from the shaft, and Mr. Sproston,
surgeon, was sent for, and on his arrival pronounced life ter
be extinct. The deceased wore a crinoline at the time of thei
occurrence. The jury returned a averdict:,of Accidenagtl
..41.