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

STATE OF TRADE.

The following is an extract from the trade report, of
Jle 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 aspect 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 prediot
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,
and on the point of being secured, we shall not
be kept very long in suspense as far as the yield there is
concerned; meantime our own crops will, we hope, ad-
vance rapidly towards ripening, and finally afford ample
supplies. The anxiety with which the state of the weather
has been watched everywhere throughout the month, and
the sensitiveness which all markets without exception ex-
hibited with every change of the barometer, show how ge-
nerally the conviction is entertained that a good harvest only
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 thisimmediate district, we beg,
before entering upon any remarits 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 1846,
amounted to about 200,000 bales. We do not believe that
the falling off can be made up during the remaining
months, although the consumption of cotton
increased in this district since our last reportniotw
8,671.
,02tilm, in-
stead ber of workpeople out of employ Og h ahseran unmr.
em- loieof place to state that
a!iiiow„nieur.:, whose insteadestab-
lishments e .
who oafrel2o,nll6;
p; a
ratnida l thoseb
now
w shorts
stead of 6,628. It may not be out
" full time,
per now
redwing
ingenuity
lnuiwityll
to ten
s T
several o f
have the mo
workeds most influential
the hours of labourday,H in order to
petroiei counteractw ee
theif possible, en
otibrys'
shortatter,
when hours a
the disadvantages or enhancement of
and exertions, cost
which are
prepare for the
inseparable from the working of this
Bill. In
• like the present, when the supply of the raw
times .
short, offulliabeoxupransarioen
oinf
• the cotton manufacture may not only be desirable
but necessary, the reaction of about 12f per cent.
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 w.e 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
I or by legislative interference ?

Loss or LIFE BY FIRE.-VYesteiday a child named.
George Davis, aged six years, whose parents reside at
No. 16, New-street, Deptford, expired in Guy's Hospital,
from the effects of injuries received by fire. 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. About half-past tour yes-
terday
belongingafternoony a fire was discovered burning in pre-
mises 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-street, Seven
Dials, and the other at 3, Mercers-street, Long-sem
Owinf to the timely assistance afforded, the damns
done an both the latter cam wail not considerable.