The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-08 00:00:00

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, Two o'CLoot.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday
were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000
American were taken for export and on speculation.
The market closed firmly, but without spirit. The
sales comprised 5,000 American, 120 Pernam and

Maranhaia at 60. to 6id., 350 Bahia at 61d. to

100 Egyptian at 71d., and 500 Surat at 4d.
to 4}d. per lb. Railway shares were firm at higher

sates,

In a communication from Messrs. Witherby and
Hanson, the present state of the dried fruit trade

is shown to be one of considerable interest. It ap-

pears that the advices from Greece continue very

unfavourable with respect to the forthcoming crop.
The disease, which last year attacked the fruit
when advancing towards maturity, has appeared

this year at the earliest period of germination; and
in Cephalonia, where the disease was least destruc-
tive last year, the worst symptoms have appeared.
On this account, prices have risen in Germany and
Holland, where stocks will propably be limited.
At these places large purchases have been made of
Chesme raisins. Figs have advanced owing to the
scarcity and anticipated large orders from America.
The- ship Bloomer from Sydney has arrived with
42,8001. She left on the 3d November, and there-
fore brings no later news.
The Continental advices • received this morning
are rather more favourable concerning the Stock
Markets.

The project for a canal across the Isthmus of
Darien has this day been advertised, and we shall
take an early opportunity of entering into its
merits. In the meantime the following points rtunity
de-
serve attention :—.

" The capital appears large, but the return will be in
proportion to the magnitude of the undertaking. This
is not a question dependent on local trade ; every mari-
time nation has an interest in its success, and the com-
merce of the world will yield the profits. Moreover,
the vast supplies of gold now discovered, afford means
which cannot be applied to more beneficial objects than
in extending the blessings of civilization by facilitating
the operations of commerce.
In such a case statistics are almost superfious ; it is
safer to consult the history of the progress of commerce,
and argue from it, than to calculate profits from the ex-
isting state of things. But even on this limited ground
it can be shewn that the capital invested will meet with
a good return, by charging only a little more than the
amount saved in the insurance, without reference to all
the other advantages which this route will offer. From
the trade statistics it appears, that in 1851 upwards of
3,000,000 tons of shipping, and 150,000 passengers
would in that year have taken advantage of this naviga-
tion.

Lord Wharncliffe is chairman, and the direction
is influential and practical.
At the meeting of the Northern Counties Union
Railway Company this day, the report stated that
the attention of the directors was still directed to
the settlement of existing liabilities. As is the fu-
ture prospects, the directors had not as yet entered
into arrangements with any other company, but
from the importance of the district where part of
the line is laid down, they expected to do so advan-
tageously whenever that opportunity should arise.
The accounts showed the receipts of the half year
to be 18,9121. 18s. 10d., and the balance in hand,
after expenditure, was 15,5201. 6s. 9d. After
a brief discussion, the report was adopted unani-
mously.
The Hon. East India Company has in the last
fortnight drawn bills on the three Presidencies to
the amount of only 26,4591.
The Stock Market is buoyant, and, as we antici-
pated, prices tend upwards towards the settlement
of the account. Consols have been 991 to i for
transfer, and 99i to i for account. The prices for
March are about it per cent. higher. The New 3f
per Cents. have been quoted 1031 1, and the 3 per
Cents. 1001 to 1. Bank Stock has been lower, viz.,
227 to 228. South Sea Old Annuities have been
marked 99i. Exchequer Bills of March are 50s.
to 545. premium. Arrivals of gold from Australia
are now expected daily—the Roxburgh Castle,
from Port Philip, whence
.she sailed Nov. 12,
having 850,0001. on board.
Foreign securities have been variable. Grenada
Deferred are not so good, being at 114, #-. Mexi-
can Bonds have realised 22i, k : a slight improve-
ment. Peruvian Deferred have been at 62. Bra-
zilian Old Stock has been marked 1021. The
Turkish loan has improved to i discount. Spanish
stock has been rather heavy, the 3 per Cent. at 47
to I, and the Deferred at 24- to 23. The Certifi-
cate is worth 4g. Russian Five per Cents. have
been quoted 120, and Dutch Four per Cents. 98.
Railway Shares have been firm again, and the
rise of yesterday is fully maintained. Eastern
Counties have run up kto #. The old Companies
with 1001. paid are generally about 10s. better,
but South-Eastern have risen i to i, York and
Berwick 1 to li, and York and North Midland 1i
to '2. French Shares are steady, but very -
active. The Upper India have been in demand at
i to # 'premium.
An upward movement of a very decided charac-
ter has taken place in the South Australian Land
Company's Shares, which recently have been so
seriously depressed by Bear operations. The rise
is 61. to 81. since Saturday, but holders estimate
the intrinsic value of the shares up to 70 and 80.
The Australian Agricultural Shares have advanced
also 51. to 101.
The Australian Banks have been dealt in to a
fair extent, but not at higher rates.
The Gold Mines are very firm, though with
limited transactions.
The Shares have been in re-
quest aDo
t full
Coninyprices.pa's

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(From the Official List.)
Business:done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities looi g i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3i per Cent. Annuities.
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jau., 1860 6 7-16 i A
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6i
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO 6O
South Sea Old Annuities 69
Consols for Account 10th February .. —.
Exchequer Bills Id. March. June.
£lOOO 5O 4
£5OO —
Small 54