The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-07 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

The following is an extract from the trade report, of
the Ist instant, of Messrs. Du Fay and Co., of Man-
chester:— _ _ . . _

We noticed in our last trade report the beginning of
an improvement in the general evect of affairs, and we
are glad to say that it has been more fully developed
during the past month; but the improvement cannot be
considered safe until all doubt and anxiety about the
harvest here and abroad are removed, particularly as the
potato disease has again shown itself in some districts.
The accounts from all quarters speak confidently
about the appearance and the probable yield of the crops,
but we require certainty to render• our position secure.
Another failure of crops would be fraught with conse-
quences so disastrous that no forethought could predict
the extent —no prudence nor exertions avert the
severity of such a calamity. As the harvest in
some of the neighbouring states is near at hand,
sod on the point of being secured, we shall not
Ue kept very long in suspense as far as the yield there is
concerned; meantime our own crops will, we hope, ad-
ance tepidly tom ards ripening, and finally afford ample
,upplies. The anxiety with which the state of the weather
has been watched everywhere throughout the month, and
he sensitiveness which all mhrkets without exception ex-
hibited with every change of the barometer, show how ge-
oerallythe conviction is entertained tha, a good harvestonly
can restore something like former prosperity. At present
the general opinion leans to the favourable side. Confi-
dence is gradually returning, and money is easier, owing
in some measure to the unusual contraction of business
during the previous months.
This state of things, combined with recent accounts
from America, have revived speculations in the Liver--
pool market ; the article of cotton being one of para-
mount interest to this immediate district, we beg,
before entering upon any remarks about the trans-
actions of the past month, to say a few words re-
specting the supply and probable consumption of this
important staple under existing circumstances. Next to
the food question, none claims more attention, being
secondary to no other in its consequences on the welfare
and prosperity of a large mass of the population of this
country. It is generally assumed that about a million
and a half are engaged in the various departments of the
cotton manufacture of Great Britain.

We alluded in our last trade report to the critical and
unsatisfactory position in which our spinners and
manufacturers are now placed, between the Liver-
pool cotton market and our own, by a rise in
the former without an adequate advance in the
latter. The disproportion which then existed be-
tween the raw and manufactured article has increased
since, instead of having been equalised. It is true our
manufacturers look forward to a better state of things--
to an improvement in the prices of goods; but will they
be better off than they have been, it cotton continues—
as it has so far done—to precede instead of following an
advance in our market?
The steamer Hibernia, which left Boston on the 16th
ult., arrived at Liverpool on the 28th ult. The letters
report a dull and declining cotton market, in consequence
of discouraging accounts from this side, and the diffi-
culty of negotiating bills on Europe. The main point,
the extent of the crop, remains as before, the entire
amount of the crop will probably not be more than
1,800,000 bales.
The decrease in the consumption of cotton during the
first five months of this year, compared with 184 i.
amounted to about 200,000 bales. We do not believe that
the falling off can be made up during the remaining
increased months, a although oug
thish
districtth e consumptionbiuesince
oour last
l a
so f t cr.oetptoorntn;ho
twa
hs e
8 rather
6
num-
ber of workpeople out of employ
berking" short time,";
of
are 12,167;0n13,dwoare now 021 ii.nes.temra.dhostate that
in-
stead of 6,628. It ma
several of the most influential millowners, whose estab-
lishments have worked " full time, are now.
period when the Ten Hours' Bill will
not be out of place to
edLing
aratldall)t-heomseplwoyheo ,
the hours of labour
.to ten hours per day, in order to
prepare
o rnte, r
esaht
toerrt,
whhoeuar a
and exertions, the disadvantages or enhancement of cost
which are inseparable from the working of this Bill. In
like the present, when the supply of the raw
times
come in ffoorrcet,heand to counteract_ possible, by ingenuity
offuillabeoxupransaioren
ofin
the cotton manufacture may not only be desirable
is
but necessary, the reaction of about 12* per cent.
niiaat::Cer, butsh
which the Ten Hours' Bill is likely to effect in the usual
production of goods, may for a time cause incon-
venience and loss. It must be borne in mind that one-
half of the amount of our last year's exports—namely,
25,600,0001., consisted of the produce of cotton articles,
and the question may well be asked what have we to
make up in the shape of returns for any deficiency which
may arise in our production of cotton manufactures,
whether caused by a short supply of the raw material
or by legislative interference ?

Loss OF Lire Br FlRE.—Yesterday a child named
George Davis, aged six years, whose parents reside at
No. 16, New-stri et, Deptford, expired in Guy's Hospital,
from the effects of injuries received by fit:l3. The child
was left, as usual by the mother, playing in a room
wherein a lighted candle was carelessly lett on the hearth,
and whilst running round the apartment after a younger
child, his clothes by some means ignited, and before
assistance arrived, the poor child was burnt and charred
by the action of the fire over the whole surface of his
body. He was carried in a state of awful suffering to
the above hospital, where he died from the burns soon
after his admission.
DESTRUCTIVE FlRES.—Yesterday afternoon, be-
tween the hours of two and three, a fire broke out upon
the estate belonging to Mr. Roper; at Forest Hill, Sy-
denham. It originated in a stack of hay, and was caused
by some children playing with Lucifer matches. A con-
siderable amount of property was destroyed, which it is
understood was not insured. Abont halt-past four yes-
terday afternoon a fire was discovered burning in pre-
mises belonging to Mr. Thomas Butts, currier and
leather dresser, 7, Union •street, Spitalfields. The upper
portion of Mr. Butt's building, where the fire com-
menced, was burned out. and the ceilings below were
damaged by water and fire. The premises of Mr.
Broomhead, adjoining, were also injured. Fortunately
both parties were insured. Two other fires occurred
during the afternoon; one at 5, Queen-strecr, Seven
Dials, and the other at 3, Mercers-street, Long-acre,.
Owing to the timely assistance afforded, th9eda msg.-
idone in both the latter eascs was not. ecnaiderabi