The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-11 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

A retrospect of the lace trade for the past year pre-
sents some reason for confidence in the prospect for the
future. It has been brought into alm,,st direct competi-
tion, with French articles, and this has certainly not been
without its use, though severe, owing to the predilection
felt for foreign grounds and styles. The Nottingham
trade has never made, during any previous year, so
great an advance in the application of the true principles
of taste to their designs, as within the last twelve months.
This has been followed by a satisfactory increase in the
demand for the best class of fancy articles. It is true
that the lever fancy goods have been depressed in price
far below their value ; but this has arisen trom too large
quantities of the same patterns being forced upon the
market ; and can only be remedied by the application of
mechanical improvements, affording the means of rapid
and inexpensive changes of pattern. If to these be added,
excellence in design, this department of the business will
resume a profitable activity. There has been lessened
consumption of patent plat laces, cheaper improved
Mechlins having taken their place. In plain goods ex-
cellence of materials and workmanship is more sought
for than formerly. Notwithstanding some changes in
the channels of demand and supply, which during the
early months of the year considerably unsettled local
trade matters, the total amount of business done has
been an average one ; the machinery has been as regn
larly employed as usual, and wages have been maintained.
The stocks remaining on hand are not heavy. The
most difficult feature we have to note at present is the
advance in yarns, and of course, in prime cost. This
has been scarcely at all realised as yet on wrought
goods. The past week has been without change in
prices, hut with small demand ; all parties seem waiting
for the breaking up of the frost, to bring orders from
the Continent, and give impulse to the country trade.—
Nottingham Review.

IItiCTION OF DUTY ON TEA
On Thursday a deputation from the London Asso-
ciation for the Reduction of Duty upon Tea, consisting
of Sir George Larpent, Bart. (chairman of the East In-
dia and China Association), Mr. S. Gregson (deputy-
chairman), Mr. Norton, and Mr. Dallas, waited upon
Lord John Russell, at his official residence, Downirg-
street, for the purose of representing the present state
of the trade, and the public advantages which would
accrue from a reduction of duty.
Lord John Russell received the deputation with much
courtesy, and expressed his willingness to hear what-
ever observations they might have to make upon the
propriety of reducing, considerably the present duty
levied upon tea. His Lordship afro took occasion to
remark that a deputation, consisting of several gentle-
men connected with the commercial interests of Liver-
pool, and their relations with China, had lately waited
upon him and given him the benefit of their opinions.
The interview lasted upwards of an hour, in the
course of which Lord Jahn Russell asked a number of
questions calculated to afford the most authentic in-
formation on the subject connected with the visit of the
deputation.
After the deputation had advanced various argu-
ments to show that the greatly increased consumption
would more than compensate for any trifling diminution
of the revenue,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL thanked the deputation for the
trouble they had taken, and assured them that the sub-
ject upon which they appeared to be so much interested
would receive the fullest and most patient consideration
of her Majesty's Goverment.
The deputation having acknowledged their sense of
his Lordship's kindness, and the great courtesy with
which he he had received them, then withdr w.
The Chancell,T of the Exchoquor had expressedhis
intention to be present during the interview, but was
prevented by the death of his tathi r.

ESCAPE IN A SEWER.—On Wednesday afternoon, a
narrow escape of being buried alive, occurred in Bride-
lane, Fleet,treet, A£o w sewer has for some time past
been in the course of formation tht-re, but on turning the
northern corner, it would appear that the excavators
experienced much difficulty in their progress 13% the well
belonging to the pump. They were, in consequence
obliged to swerve round the well, to the westward, un
dermining thereby some portion of the burial ground of
the church. In this work one of the borers. named
Valiant, had gained considerable progress when sudden!)
a rushing noise of water was perceptible, and in an in
stant the poor fellow was lost sight of and buried in the
gravel, earth, and water, in which he had become en-
ve!oped. Fortunately, however, a brothtr workmar,
with his nails and fingers only, succeeded in removing a
sufficiency of mud, &e., to give his 'comrade breathii g
room, and other assistance having arrived, the bone
man was speedily exhumed. He was in a state of incen-
sibility, and was conveyed into the Twelve Bells public
house, and in a short time he, was -enabled to walk home,
without having sustained any other injury than that of
temporary unconsciousness.