The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-07 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

(From the Manchester Guardian of Saturday. )
MANCHESTER, FRIDAY.—That we have a demand filly
equal to the supply, both in yarns at large and in most
descriptions of cloth except domestics, is evident from
the fact of the production having been for a considerable
time back more or less pre-engaged. It is natural,
therefore, that prices should have been recovering of late
from the reaction which followed the last merely spe-
culative rise, and followed it (as usually happens in such
cases) with a force that carried the reduction somewhat
further than was required by the existing proportion
between supply and demand. During the last three
weeks our market exhibited a gradual upward tendency.
The American circulars, with their reduced estimates,
produced little effect ; yet, by the end of last week, sel-
lers had succeeded in quietly realising an average ad-
vance of /d. per lb. During this time, the Liverpool
cotton market was keeping a head of yarns in the same
course.

At the beginning of this week, however, the appli-
ances referred to seemed likely to prove more effective.
We were advised of a falling off of 18,000 bales in the
week's receipts, and of an active state of business at New
Orleans and Mobile, with a rise of ic. to c. per lb. in
the quotations at New York. The Liverpool market
became rather excited on Monday, when the sales were
10,000 bales, and an additional Ad. per lb. was asked,
and in some instances paid. A similar impulse was im-
parted to our own market. Spinners demanded at least
another id. per lb.; and the makers of shirtings and
printing cloths made a corresponding requirement. This
was too much for the buyers, who could neither see any
reason for the reduced estimates of the crop on the
other side of the Atlantic, nor forget the issue of that fic-
titious rise on this side which terminated at the close of
October; and, therefore, although willing to pay the ad-
vance which they had hesitated about giving a few days
before, they were not disposed to fall in with this further
enhancement of terms; so that the business of Tuesday
was effected at rates little if at all exceeding the highest
named by sellers on Saturday last, which was the dearest
day in the week.
GLASGOW, FRIDAY.—EarIy in the week our cotton
market was firm, and a good business done at an advance
of id. per lb. on the prices of Friday last. Latterly,
there has been less doing, and the market closes without
animation at last week's rates.
HUDDERSFIELD, TUESDAY —Business to-day has been
brisk in the cloth hall. Goods of any kind of low make
meet with ready purchasers, at about medium prices,
perhaps scarcely as remunerative as the manufacturers
would wish, considering that raw materials are on an ad-
vance of price. Stocks are kept extremely low, and
some good order have been given, mostly in low quali-
ties. On the whole, a very good trade is being done
throughout the district. Most of the shipping houses
have been very busy during the week.
BRADFORD, THURSD Y.—WOOLS—The past week has
been one of careful inquiry and watching among the
spinners, but their purchases have been exceedingly
limited. The prices sought are a complete barrier to
business, and the whole trade seems to watch the opening
of the wool sales, fixed for the tenth, in London, with
more than ordinary interest. The increased rate of dis-
count and uncertainty of large buying for foreign account,
with a large quantity offering, gives, and properly so, a
strong feeling of caution to those requiring colonial wools.'
In mohair, alpaca, and English wool, the supply is far
short of the quantity held twelve months ago, an with-
out a very close curtailing of the spindles, there is but
little if any hope of any ease in price this side of clip day.
Yarns—The great difference in the cost of yarns is now
acting as a drawback with the manufacturers for Lanca-
shire; and as they are usually dull in Jan. and Feb. they
are disinclined to buy at the present prices, until they
are compelled, by having used up old contracts, or getting
orders to justify them. The same applies also with our
manufacturers for this market, and it is too early for the
shippers to buy for Germany or Russia; yet, notwith-
standing this, there is no accumulation of stocks, bnt a
general complaining of the bad return of bobbins, and ir-
regularity in the working of the machinery. Prices for all
continue without change. It is just 28 years this day since
the last demonstration was made in honour ofßishopßlaize:
that was certainly a very imposing scene, but since then
the progression has been great to substitute the doings
of the good old patron saint ; and despite the great in-
crease of the worsted trade, we now doubt whether
there are twice the number of hand-combers than at
the period of the last great show. Pieces—There is a
good deal of inquiry for something new, and all are
anxious for fresh novelties for the season drawing on.
Circassians and mixtures are still the favourites ; the
cost at which they are now made deters the merchants
from ordering freely, but so great has the advance been
on twofold warps, bright-haired wool, alpaca and mo-
hair, that great difficulties are before the manufacturers
to cover cost, and this class are not freely made. In
other goods thereis no change.—Bmdford Observer.
NOTTINGHAM, THURSDAY.—There is not much alters-,
tion for the better in the lace trade ; at least, not so
much as we anticipated by this time. However, the
period is rapidly approaching when a further improve-
ment may reasonably be expected. The hosiery trade is
still good, and of it no just complaint need be made.
There is not any alteration in the price of yarn.—
Nottingham Journal.