The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-07 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, 1,000 of which were taken
for export, and on speculation. The market was
firm, at very full prices. Railway shares were
dull, at rather lower rates.
It appears that the importation of wood last
year was the largest on record, and the consump-
tion has fully required the increase. Prices have
ruled high, owing to the great demand for ship-
building, railway, and other purposes. The ton-
nage from the Prussian ports of Memel, Dan tzic,
and Stettin, has been nearly doubled. Should the
supplies from these quarters, as well as from Fin-
land and Russian Poland, be suspended, our
Canadian and North American possessions would
receive immense benefit, and fortunately could
supply all our wants, although at an increased
charge, before the stocks on hand here, which are
ample for many mouths, would be exhausted. We
have reason to look to such matters, when war is
imminent.

Everything that bears upon the Russia trade is
now of surpassing interest, and according to a re-
port by Messrs. Smith and Charles, there was no
business doing in tallow at St. Petersburgh on
the 15th (27th) ult., when the rate of Exchange
was 39 1-16 to 3-16. Adverting to the market
here, they proceed to observe
"We have scarcely a single new feature to report as
respects probable supply and demand. The Russo-
Turkish question being still in suspense, it is useless
speculating on the probable export from Russia next
season ; we can only repeat what we have frequently
stated before, that the longer that question remains un-
settled and the aid of British capital in consequence de-
nied to the Russian produces, the less will be the quan-
tity produced for next season's shipments, supposing
that there be a shipping season at all at Cronstadt this
year. We forbear offering any opinion upon the
issue of passing political events, but we may say
that the feeling amongst parties well informed on the
subject of Russian diplomacy is that the Russian
Government, believing (or affecting to believe) that
its demands upon Turkey are strictly just, will proceed
even to the extremity of war in prosecuting those de-
mands. The demand for tallow has been very indiffe-
rent for some weeks past, but there is already evidence
of improvement, and we anticipate that with the stocks
in the hands of the trade, reduced to as low a point as
at the present time, and with home production un-
doubtedly in this district, (and, we believe, generally)
very scarce, we shall have a good spring trade,"

Referring to the prospects of the silk trade dur-
ing the present year, Mr. Henry W. Eaton,
writes :

" As regards future prospects, as far as one can judge
from present appearances, I think there is every reason
to expect a continuance f a good business, and that the
consumption of 1854 will be fully equal to that of
former years, with little alteration in prices generally.
The latter must of course depend on various circum-
stances, but it may here be remarked, that at no pre-
vious time has the pressure of the money market effected
prices so little as during the last year."

The Bank of England returns to the 31st ult.,
are such as might be looked for at the close of the
year. The discounts increased, and parties
strengthened their balances. The bullion was
slightly augmented, and the circulation was brought
out by the increased loans. The following is a
comparison with the previous return :

Active circulation £21,077,860
Increase 267,705
Bullion 15,852,899
Increase
Rest
Increase
Public Deposits 11,409,933
Increase
Other Deposits
Increase 433,127
Seven-Day and other Bills
Decrease 6,482
Government Securities 15,044,330
Increase 6OO
Other Securities 17,676,123
Increase 932,472
-Notes unemployed 8,102,220
Decrease 216,060

The rates for bills of exchange upon the princi-
pal Continental cities were yesterday afternoon, in
most instances, rather firmer.

Gold is still in command for the Continent.

By the ship Francis Henty there are accounts to
October 11 from Melbourne, and 66,481 ounces of
gold. The rate of exchange had declined from 2to
1 per cent., and gold had, in consequence, fallen to
765. per ounce. There was more activity in the
import markets, as the summer labours at the
" diggings" were about to recommence. No re-
petition of former excitement, speculation, and
high prices was, however, anticipated. The spirit
market had risen, owing to the probable augmen-
tation of the duties by the Legislature. Brandy
had been sold at 13s. 6d. per gallon. Flour was
unsteady. Timber was decidedly falling. Hard-
ware was in good request, and also galvanised iron,
paint, and oils. Building materials had a fair
sale.

The Walter Hood brings Sydney accounts of
Oct. 13, and 31,759 ounces of gold. Her letters
are not yet in town. The Legislature had ad-
journed, and the Constitution question would be
re-considered.

The important news from Paris, of the warlike
declaration of the French Government,. has occa-
sioned a further decline in Consols, which have
been 92-g- after opening at 92i There is a
more marked feeling of uneasiness. The New 31
per Cents. have been 94, and since 93i I. Bank
Stock is heavy at 217. Exchequer Bills are 6s. to
9s. premium. _

The exports of specie direct from London during
the week to Thursday last, were only 1,050 ounces
of silver, and 8,140 ounces of gold, all to Boulogne
and Belgium.

Foreign Stocks are dull, and have declined gene-
rally. Mexican are 23 to 233/4, being flat, and
Danish Three per Cents. are heavy at 84. Russian
Four-and-a-Half per Cents, are 1 per cent. lower,
being 923/4 to 93. Sardinian Five per Cents. are
quiet at 90. Spanish Three per Cents. are 44, and
the New Deferred 203/4, being weaker in both in-
stances. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. are
lower, being 623/4 ex dividend. French Four-and-a-
Half per Cents. are marked 97f. with the exchange
at 25.10.

There is less animation in Railway Shares, and
the tendency in prices downwards. Caledonian
have declined fully 1/., Great Western ss. to 10s.,
Lancashire and Yorkshire 11., North-Western 10s.,
Midland 155., North British 10s., South Eastern
ss. to 10s., York and North Midland 10s.• French
lines are weaker, Northern of France have receded
about 10s., Paris and Lyons 1/., Paris and Stras-
burg are active.
The Gold Mine Shares are quite neglected, and
prices are consequently nominal.
No transactions are recorded in Joint-Stock
Bank Shares.

Land Companies' Shares are very inactive, but
not lower.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(Prom the OJicial List•)

_
Buenos done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Anaudies ............. .. 93 2 i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities ..........••••••• 92i $ , d
New 31 per Cent. Annuities ...•• 1860•. 94 3
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., .•-• 6 1-18 i
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859.... 5 1-16
Consols for Opening 18th Jan. ............... 92/ i
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£l000
£5OO 6 9 p
Small 6 10 p

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent B4
Mexican 3 per Cent. .. .
Ditto for the Account. ......... ...
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St
Ditto 41 per Cent .... ... . .................. . 93 21
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent ............ .
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent .... —.. .
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent
201
Dividends on the above payable;in London.
French Rentes, 4i per Cent. . ......' ..., .. 97f. Ex. 25f.10e.
Datch Exchange, 21 per Cent. 12 Guil 621 x d
TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols for Opening 18th January......... 92i x d

EFFECTS OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.—On Thurs-
day afternoon Mr. William Baker, the coroner, held an
inquest in the board-room of the London Hospital on
the body of a Lascar seaman, name unknown, who
perished from cold and exposure to the inclement wea-.
ther. The jury returned a verdict of " Died from ex•
posure to cold and the severity of the weather." Mr.
William Baker held an inquest in the same institution
respecting the death of George Ward, aged 40, who was
found by the police lying in the'snovr on Tuesday night
last. The jury returned a verdict of " Died from exps-
sure to cold and the severity of the weather.".