The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-27 00:00:00

NOTTINGHAM TRADE.

LACE.—Business in Nottingham is of that exceedingly
quiet character, this week, which is usually expressed
by the phrase " nothing doing." Still it is more to
the home than the foreign market that this applies.
The foreign trade, with its numerous ramifications, has
always a command of orders to keep business going ;
but at present, the prospects of the spring trade are even
from this source anything but encouraging. The large
millowners are at a loss to explain the precise cause
of this stagnation. Even the near prospects of war
seem inadequate to account for it, as it is not the fancy
branches alone which are effected but the plain also.
The low class of cotton goods being extensively con-
sumed in Lancashire, and on the borders of Yorkshire,
this department of our trade is obviously experiencing
the consequences of the strikes there, in a new and un-
foreseen form. Until the lapse, however, of another
week, it would still be premature to allege that the de-
pressing circumstances of the moment will become the
permanent type of the season. The disinclination to
purchase, so far as it arises from the existing state of un-
certainty regarding the war, will by that time, in all
probability have given place to some other phase in our
current history.
Bmsmiv, although so little dependent on continental
markets, that were the East altogether cut off, some of
our h.)uses declare that the Western world would still
suffice to employ them, experiences the same langour
from cliisinclination to purchase till forced by necessity,
that affects the other great branch of our business.
The n went favourable accounts from America, and the
prospects of a relaxation of the New York Money
Market, convey more cheering prospects, however, re-
garding the future, and although it is tolerably certain
that business to the same amount as last year will
not be done, we are looking forward to a quiet and com-
fortable spring trade. Meantime there is sufficient em-
ploym eat to keep all hands going, and by no means the
same depression as at Leicester, where the high prices
of provisions and of wools have operated, we believe,
in bringing matters to a standstill, and the manufac-
turers are now resting their hopes entirely on the
Colonial Wool Sales of February, for which the full
average supplies of 40,000 bales have come forward,
so that materials may, in all probability, get easier.
The quietude of present transactions in the Nottingham
framework-knitting trade is by no meansNalculated to
inspire alarm—as when the season commences quietly
as at present, a re-action is very frequently found to
ensue towards the middle and the close of the season ;
whereas, in commencing with furore the reverse pro-
cess as often occurs.—Nottinghamshire Guardian.

ROTEL PANOPTICON OF SCIENCE AND ART.—At a
special court of the proprietors of this establishment,
held yesterday, in the principal lecture theatre of the
institution, Leicester-square, Mr. Samuel Gurney, jun.,
in the chair, permission was given to the directers to
apply for a new: charter cm.firming the former one,
which had been rendered invalid in consequence of over-
sight of the late solicitor, who had neglected or forgot.
ten to lodge a copy of it at the offices of the Board of
Trade within the period required by law. Mr. Clarke,
the managing director, in reply to the inquiries of seve-
ral gentlemen present, explained the inconvenience
which might result to the corporation should the legal
existence of their charter be called in question.
LICENSED VICTUALLERS' SCHOOL.—Yesterday even-
ing the annual ball, in aid of the funds of this praise-
worthy charity, took place at the London Tavern,
Bishopsgate-street, City, and was one of the most bril-
lian re-unions of the kind which have taken place this
year. The large room in the London Tavern was opened
at eight o'clock, and almost immediately afterwards the
festive throng commenced arriving, and continued to
pour in such rapid succession that before ten between
900 and. 1,000 persons were present, and anything like
dancing in the large room was out of the ques-
tion. Under these circumstances the large dining.
room was also thrown open, and that, too, was
as speedily filled. By midnight there could not
have been less than 1,300 visitors present, and
not only were the two large rooms filled, but vari-
ous supplemental balls were being held in different
apartments of the spacious tavern. Yet, owing to the
excellent management, there was no confusion. All
went as merry as a marriage bell. The total receipts
of the school last year amounted to 3683/. 6s. 11d.,
while the expenditure for the same period was 28911.
16s. 2d.. ; leaving a balance of 741/. 10s. 9d. Altogether
1269 children have been admitted to the benefits of the
school since its establishment in 1797 ; 118 children
are there at present, and it is intended to elect 30 more
into it in February next. Within the last two years
the committee have received a donation of 1501. from a
gentleman who was formerly one of the pupils.
THE ST. KATHARINE DOCKS.--The new warehouse
now on the point of completion for the bonding of goods
at this great commercial establishment will be the largest
building of the kind in the kingdom. Some idea may
therefore be formed of its extent and completeness. The
roof is now being placed on the building, the works
having progressed with remarkable celerity, and, when
entirely finished, and ready for its intended purpose,
greatly increased means will be added to the facilities
now afforded for the housing of foreign goods at these
docks.

METROPOLITAN HACKNEY CARRIAGE TRADE.—Last
evening a spe•Jial meeting of the Associated Hackney
Carriage Proprietors was held at the Cranbourne Hotel,
St. Martin's-lane, "for the purpose of presenting the report
of the committee, and also to consider whether any means
could be devised to enable them to
carry on their trade
under the present circumstances." There was a very large
attendance of proprietors, and, in a preliminary discus-
sion which ensued between them, it transpired that a
memorial had been addressed to the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, praying for an alteration in the present law
of sixpence per mile, and that an answer had been re-
turned to the effect that no alteration could be made.
SUSPECTED MURDER AT BOSTON.—The neighbourhood
of Boston, in Lincolnshire, has been considerably ex-
cited from the prevalence of rumours of a suspicious
character respecting the death of a young woman,
twenty-one years of age, named Elizabeth 13rough.
On Saturday night last, the deceased and a fisherman
residing in Lincoln-lane, named Plummer Simpson,
with whom she kept company, were seen going to-
gether up Stainton's-yard, and shortly afterwards
screams of distress were heard proceeding in that direc-
tion, and Simpson was seen running away. On inquiry
the deceased was found drowned in Bargate Drain, near
Bargate-bridge, and upwards of an hour elapsed before
she could be extricated. Simpson was shortly after-
wards apprehended in Douglas's Theatre, and identified
as the man seen running away. He has been taken be-
fore Mr. Coroner Fricker, but by the advice of his soli-
citor, Mr. York, he reserved his defence. The inquest
was adjourned in order to enable Mr. Little, surgeon,
to make a post mortem examination of the body, and to
allow the magistrates an opportunity of making a judi-
cial investigation. Simpson is still in custody.

THE LATE BURSTING OF AN ENGINE BOILER ON THE
MIDLAND RAILWAY.—DEATH OF THE ENGINE-DRIVER.
—On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Derby In-
firmary, before Mr. Portmore, deputy coroner, on the
body of Lewis Cooke, aged 25, engine-driver, late in the
employ of the Midland Railway Company. It will be
recollected that the deceased was with his engine at
Kegworth station, on Sunday morning, Jan. 15, when
the boiler burst, and he received such severe injuries
that he died on Tuesday last. The jury after beizig ab-
sent about an hour, returned the following verdict :
" That we think the deceased came to his death by acci-
dent ; but the jury strongly recommend to the railway
company not to work engines similarly constructed, but
to adopt the later improved boilers. We think that the
boiler was worked very thin, but that the usual means
were adopted to test its condition." We have since
learned that five of the jury were for returning a ver-
dict of manslaughter against the directors of the Midland
Railway Company.