The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-15 00:00:00

STATE .OF THE TRADE OF GREAT

BRITAIN.

The Board of Trade have published their accounts re-
lating to trade and navigation for the ten months ended
sth November, 1844, 1845, and 1846. As respects the
imports of the country, there has been on most articles
a steady improvement. This is especially shown in liv-
ing animals, bread stuffs, and such commodities as are
convertible into food. The number of oxen and bulls
imported in the first ten months of 1844 was 2,889; in
1846 it rose to 13,087; cows increased from 836 to
18,029; sheep from 1,272 to 61,113 in the same period;
and other living animals in the same proportion. This
is a matter of no little consequence at the present time,
as it is pretty well known that the stock of beasts in the
United Kingdom is not so great as it has been. In some
localities there may be sufficient, but if Ireland be taken
into account, it will be evident that there is a falling off.
These remarks will apply especially to a subject which
appears to have been overlooked, viz., the supply of fowls
for the ensuing spring. From what we can learn it will
be deficient. Food being scarce, the breeders have been
induced to bring their flocks to an early market, and
judging from this fact, and also from the present price
of eggs, we arrive at the conclusion that there will be a
great deficiency. Those who have kept up their stock
will realize good prices for two years to come.
The imports of bacon, butter, and cheese, have been
much extended. Of bacon 26 cwt. was imported in 1844;
in 1846 the import was 1,668 cwt. A large portion of
this, and of butter, which has increased 35 per cent. on
the ten months, finds its way into the London market.
We allude now to the imports from Ostend and other
continental ports, from which places the qualities are
superior. The import of cheese, all of which has been
entered for home consumption, was 153,178 cwt. in 1814;
in 1846 it was 242,442 cwt.

Bread stuffs continue to pour in abundantly. The
articles chiefly increased are—flour, wheat, oats, beans.
Indian corn, Indian meal, and buck wheat. In the first
ten months of 1844, 2,430,516 quarters of such bread
stuffs as are entered by the quarter were imported ;
against 2,842,454 quarters in 1846. Of those entered
by the cwt., the imports, in 1844, were 908,697 cwt. ;
against 2,768,401 cwt., in 1846. Showing an increased
importation which may challenge a parallel.
Tea, sugar, and coffee increase both in the quantities
imported and consumed. The imports of tea, in 1844,
were in round numbers 33,000,000 lbs.; and, in 1846,
43,000,000 lbs. The consumption, in 1844, was
34,000,000 lbs. ; and, in 1846, 39,000,000 lbs. Of un-
refined sugar the imports, in 1844, were 3,902,406 cwt.,
against 4,753,328 cwt., in 1846 ; whilst the consumption
was 3,494,403 cwt, in the former period, against 4,408,313
cwt. in the latter. The imports of coffee, in 1844, were
34,000,000 lbs. ; and, in 1846, 41,000,000 lbs. The
consumption in the first ten months was 26,000,000 lbs.;
and in the latter 30,000,000 lbs.

An increased import and consumption is also to be
noted in rice, foreign fruits, tobacco, timber, and spirits.
Thus it will appear that, in the staple imports of the
country, there is great encouragement.
The exports of British produce and manufactures are
a little less, in the aggregate value, than in 1a44. Tho
difference arises chiefly from cotton manufactures, of
which the exports appear to be a million sterling less
than in 1844. Cotton yarn and other articles, how-
ever, increase ; so that, on the whole, the falling off is
only 100,0001., an amount which is less than the work of
a day._

hi the tonnage of vessels employed in the foreign
trade of the United Kingdom there has been an increase
of 600,000 tons outwards, and 750,000 tons inwards.
Vessels in the Irish and coasting trade have been in-
creased 950,000 tons inwards, whilst the clearance out-
wards have increased by 1,300,000 tons.
The excise charged upon articles of home 'production
is given for nine months. Upon the whole, there is an
improvement. This is apparent in bricks, paper, hops,
malt, and soap. On all the articles named there has
been a decided increase. It is curious to observe, with
regard to spirits, that while in England and Scotland
the quantities retained for home consumption present no
marked feature of increase, in Ireland there has been an
excess of consumption, in 1846, over 1844, of no less
than 1,435,927 gallons.