The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-20 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

THE LACE TRADE.—We have no improvement to
report in the market for finished goods; there is a
limited trade doing in the way of assorting up coun-
try traders' stocks, and some foreign orders are in
course of execution, but all parties are using the ne•
cessary caution as to whom to trust; so that business
is confined within the narrowest possible limits. The
market for unfinished goods is as quiet as it can be ;
and most prudent machine owners are stopping their
machines, except where working to order. We have
reason to suppose that in twenty-two factories, con-
taining 1,360 machines, 615 stand, and 745 are at
work for the present about half the usual time. It
follows, therefore, that probably 2,000 hands of all
grades, usually engaged in these establishments, are
out of work or under notice, and 2,000 more are only
partially employed.
The depression in the hosiery trade is felt as se-
verely as ever, and the stoppage of frames continues
to increase. It is asserted by parties who have the
means of knowing, that the number of frames re-
cently stopped by the Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield,
and Loughborough hosiers, amount to more than
7,000, and the Leicester trade is even in a worse
condition than in this district. The cotton glove
trade we believe is not suffering to the extent of the
other branches, though considerably depressed.—
Nottingham Review.
LEICESTER.—Business in all its essential features
remains unchanged. A large number of workmen
were discharged on Saturday and Monday
last, many of whom are parading the streets
soliciting charity. We understand that the
number of applicants for relief is almost with-
out precedent, amounting to about 4,000 persons,
two-thirds of whom are heads of families ; so that it
is estimated there are from 12,000 to 13,000 indi-
viduals, men, women, and children, dependent upon
parochial aid, or about one-fourth of the population.
This is a deplorable state of things, and one which we
fear will inevitably continue unabated while the pre-
sent depression remains unchanged, of which we see
no immediate prospect. As we have elsewhere stated,
the public authorities, magistrates, guardians, ves-
tries, &c., are taking every possible means to meet
the emergency, and we hope their united exer-
tions will be crowned with success.—Leicestershire
Mercury.

ACCOUCHEMENT OF THE MARCHIONESS or Won•
cEsnat.—We have great pleasure in announcing the safe ac-
couchement of the Marchioness of Worcester. Her Ladyship
gave birth to a son at twenty minutes to one o'clock yes-
terday morning ; and we are happy in being enabled to add
that both mother and infant are going on most favourably.
MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HARRY SMITH, G.C.B.
The grand military banquet to this distinguished officer
will, as already stated, take place on Thursday next, at
Willis's Rooms, when upwards of 150 officers of the Light
Division are expected to meet the Gallant Hero of Aliwal.
There will be a strong assembly of old officers of the 43d
and 62d Regiments of Foot, with which Sir Harry witnessed
some of his early dangers, as also of the Rifle Brigade, of the
2d battalion of which Sir Harry is now the Colonel-Com-
mandant. Several of the officers of the 16th Lancers, re-
cently returned from India, will also take part in the festi-
val. This corps, it will be recollected, served with the Gal-
lant Officer during the Sutlej campaign. Among the list of
officers who have signified their intention of being present
are, the Duke of Richmond, formerly of the 52d Foot, the
Marquis of Ailsa, late Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-
General of India; Lieut.-General A. F. Barnard, Colonel-
Commandant of the Ist battalion of the Rifle Brigade ; Lieut..
General Sir Hercules Pakenham, Colonel of the 43d Foot,
formerly of the Rifles; Lieut.-Colonel Macdonald, of the
16th Lancers; Sir George Houlton, of the 43d Foot; Major-
General Sir Hugh Ross, Royal Artillery; Major-General
Macdonald, Royal Artillery; Major-General Ewart ; Viscount
Jocelyn, late of the Rides; Major-General Brown, Lord
Blaynev, Colonel Leech, Sir Andrew Hay, the Hon. G.
Byng, Acc. It may not, perhaps, be generally known, that
Sir Harry is brother to Major Smith, Barrack- Master at
Chatham, who, like his brother, can boast of having served
in the Peninsula and during the Waterloo campaign. The
members of the Junior United Service Club purpose giving
a grand entertainment to the Gallant General early in the
ensuir S month.
MOSEY MARKET.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 21 per male, which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s.
1011. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of
2).5 68 ; and the exchange at Paris on London at short being
~.5.BTh
it follows that gold is 0.7.5 per cent. dearer in London
than in Paris. By advices from Ilarnhurgh the price of gold
is 4374 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s.
101/ d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of
13.1211 ; and the exchange at Hamburgh oa London at short
being 13.111, it follows that the price of gold is the same
in Hamburgh and London. The course of exchange at New
York on London is about 1061 per cent., and the par of ex-
change between England and America being 109 23-40 per
cent., it follows that the exchange is 2.83 per cent. against
England. But the quoted exchange at New York being for
bills at 60 days sight, tie interest mutt be deducted from
she above difference.