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

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, Two o'CLocx.

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
Maranham at bid. to 61d., 350 Bahia at 64d. to
cid., 100 Egyptian at 7d., and 500 Surat at 4d.
to 41-d. per lb. Railway shares were firm at higher
rates.

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
have advanced owing to the
scarcityChesme raisins.a anticipated Figs
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 de-
serve attention :

" The capitarappears large, but the return will be in
proportion to the magintude 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 superflous ; 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 practi6al.
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 to 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 chewed 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 99# to a for
transfer, and 99g to for account. The prices for
March are about per cent. higher. The New 31-
per Cents. have been quoted 1031 and the 3 per
Cents. 1001 to Bank Stock has been lower, viz.,
227 to 228. South Sea Old Annuities hare been
marked 99k. Exchequer Bills of March are 50s.
to 545. premium. Arrivals of gold from Australia
arc 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 11k, Mexi-

can Bonds have realised 22k, f : 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 22i to 23. The Certifi-
cate is worth 4. 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 ito I. 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 li
to -2. French Shares are steady, but very -
active. The Upper India have been in demand at
i to g 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 6/. 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
.invited transactions.

The Dock Company's Shares have been in re-
quest at full prices.

BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY.
(Front the Official List.)

_ - -
Business stone.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities IC4 0
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 34 per Cent. Annuities..... ......
_O
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 7-16 a i
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6B
South Sea Old Annuities 994
Consols for Account 10th February 99s i
Exchequer Bills lid. islarelt. June.
£lOOO.. 5O 4
£5OO
Small 54
PRICE-OF FOREIGN FUNDS IT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. lO2
Grenada Bonds, Deferred, : ll4
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 22i
Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent 62
Portuguese 4 per Cent. 37 x d
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.A l2O
Ditto, 4; per cent lO4
panish Bonds, I per Cent 47 i
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Ceat 23
Ditto for the Account 22i
Spanish Passive (Converted) si
P 0
Thr Spankiissh;Zoommian,
6 ttpeeer Cent.,Cert
.oflCBsou2p.)aot fun. 4 d
Dutch Exchange 2i per Cent —
Ditto 4 per Cont. Certificates 9B
SALMI-PAST TWO.

Consols
Ditto February Account