The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-09 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 almost 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 appli▪
cation 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 thi▪ s has arisen from 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 workman ship 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, breaking
dgive impulse to the country trade.—
Nottingham Review.

THE SLT ONE CAUGHT AT LAST.—Mr. Butt, of
the Borrow Farm, Martley, had a rather curious incident
on Thursday morning last, on his premises, in the cap-
ture of a fine dog fox. Much more frequently than was
pleasant, his poultry had disappeared, to the annoyance
of his household. The query was—how, and in what
manner, they went, the prevailing opinion being that the
rats were the nightly poachers; and to rid the premises
of these supposed troublesome marauders traps were set
about the hen roost. On the above morning, just about
the time the family were rising, an unusual sound pro-
ceeded from the quarter in which the poultry were
lodged, and a capture was the instant impression. All
hurried to the spot, when, to their astonishment and
amusement, not a rat, but au animal of a larger growth
(as much like a fox as may be) was securely fastened by
the leg in a trap, but using his best efforts, trap and all,
to beat a retreat from a spot where his reception was
.more pinching than palatable. Finding, however, that
he could not so nimbly clear himself from the ground,
already too hot for him, with one:leg in the stocks (viz.,
the rat trap at his heels), he nobly ceased the struggle
and yielded with becoming pluck up to his pursuers.
Then came the consultation in what manner should his
devastating influence be checked. The venerable owner
of the massacred poultry is too good a sportsman to mur-
der a gallant fox in cold blood, and accordingly the nig•
gestion was acted upon of transporting the nightly thief
to the more extended domain of the noble owner of Wit-
ley-court. There bold reynard is now comfortably and
quietly ensconced, doubtless not a little proud that his
sly tricks should have procured him so good a master at
lust.— Worcester Journal.