The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-02 00:00:00

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Afales
Females

Total .

... 613
... 576

... 1,189

STATE OF TIULD.E.
MANCIIESTER, TIIMIDAT.--SinCe our last report the
buoyant feeling which prevailed at the latter end of last
, week has been considerably diminished by announce-
, merits of one or two failures, and, still more, by rumours
of very serious difficulties, affecting a London house of
the highest respectability, largely engaged in the East
India trade. We had heard something of these difficul-
ties on Thursday last ; but, hoping that they might be
surmounted without being brought before the public,
we abstained from alluding to them. The house in
question, and its situation, have been, however, so
currently mentioned on 'Change, and so frequently
alluded to in London and provincial newspapers, that
any further reserve respecting it is entirely unnecessary.
The house in question is that of Fletcher, Alexander,
and Co., of Moorgate-street, London—a house of exten-
sive business, and we believe, of ample means, but
unable, owing to the existing pressure, to meet its lia-
bilities without assistance. It is understood that appli-
cation has been made to the Bank of England for an
advance to the extent of 300,0001. ; and that the
directors have consented to make that advance,
on condition of receiving sufficient security from Messrs.
Fletcher and Co.'s friends, in the form of bills at long
dates. It has been stated, in several of the London
newspapers, that the requisite security had been given
and tie advancs granted. Our own informations, how-
ever, leads us to believe that these statements were pre-
mature; and that, although no reasonable doubt was
entertained of a satisfactory adjustment of the diffi-1
culty, it had not been finally arranged up to yesterday
evening.
The failures which have taken place in London are
those of Leaf, Barnett, and Co.lwarehousemen, and Sar-
gent, Gordon, and Co., colonial brokers. We under-
stand that the former house will affect the trade of this
town, but not to the extent that might have been anti-
cipated. The latter, of course, will have no direct con-
nexion with Manchester. There have been, also, two
failures in Liverpool, namely, those of Brownrigg,
Miller,
ai and Co., East India merchants, and Edwards
d Co., dryealters ; but neither of them will cause
any loss in this town.

As may be naturally supposed, the unfavourable in-
telligence from London has produced an injurious effect
upon our market to-day ; and there has been rather
less demand for cloth than on Tuesday last, though
without any concession in prices. For some kinds of
yarn, principally the lower numbers, there has been a
little more inquiry, though at very low rates ; and, on
the whole, the yarn market may be considered a shade
lower than last week.

We are glad to learn that the private accounts from
China, received by the last overland mail, give a some-
what more favourable account of mercantile affairs in
that country than would be collected from the Canton
newspapers ; and there appears to be fair ground for
expecting a remunerative business in British manufac-
tures, more particularly as it is understood that a great
falling off has recently taken place in the export of
American manufactures to the Chinese markets. It is,
perhaps, worthy of remark, that the excess in the ex-
port of British manufactures to the United States has,
of late, pretty exactly balanced the falling off in those
to the East Indies ; and, therefore, with a revival of the
home and continental trades, we may hope for a gradual
absorption of the entire produce of this district.
RocHDALE, MONDAY.—There has been another dull
market to day, and the attendance of buyers has been
fewer than last Monday. Prices remain much the samo.
The wool dealers complain, with reason, of the limited
demand there is for the raw material; but there is little
hope of any change for the better during this year, al the
Christmas orders are now nearly executed.
LEEDS, TUESDAY.—Our market of this day has been
flat and inanimate. The unseasonably mild weather is
not without an injurious influence on the trade of our
die tric t.-11fanchester Guardian.

HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—Less business has been done
in the Piece Hall to-day than on either of the last two
Saturdays, and the alight revival which had manifested
itself seems to have disappeared. There is, however, an
expectation that there will be a move for the better after
Christmas. The demand for yarns has slightly de-
creased, as the export houses are now regulated in their
operations by the continuance of open weather for ship-
ping. Prioes are without alteration, as a rule; although
the necessities of the spinners lead to partial concessions.
For wool there continuos a small demand, to supply im-
mediate need ; but prices may still be quoted in favour
of the buyer. Short wools remain pretty much the
same, the quantity produced being very limited.