The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-15 00:00:00

THE BRITISH COnN TRADt.
(From the Mark-lane Express.)
The probabilities in favour of the passing of the new
Corn Importation Bill continue to form the chief topic
of conversation among farmers and corn merchants ;
the prevailing opinion seems to be that the measure
will meet with strong opposition in the Lords, and that
it will ultimately be carried ; in which belief we are
disposed to concur, as it is reasonable to suppose that Sir
Robert Peel is pretty certain of his strength in the
Upper House, and he has hitherto shown no want of
confidence in his ultimate success. It is, neverthe-
less, clear that the new duties cannot be expected to
come into force much before June, as the Irish
Coercion Bill is to be proceeded with in the Commons
after the Easter recess, until it shall have been advanced
so far as the third reading; there is, consequently, very
little prospect of the corn trade recovering from its
present inactive position for weeks to come ; for so long
as the slightest doubt is felt in regard to the laws by
which future importations are to be regarded, all parties
will naturally deem it prudent to confine their opera-
tions within very narrow limits. The only circumstance
which could, in our opinion, give rise to speculation at
present, would he the occurrence of weather cal-
culated to prove injurious to the growing crop.
Even more than ordinary interest must attach
to the next harvest, and the slightest indication of
mischief would be sufficient to create alarm. That such
should be tl:e case is p-rfectly natural, for not only are
the stocks of old wheat short in this country, but over
the greater ?art of Europe the crop of 1845 was so defi-
cient that it is not unreasonable to presume that the
article will have hecome scarce at all the principal con-
tinental ports before the produce of this year can be
ready for gathering. We stated in our last number that
the reports respecting the wheat plant were not uni-
versally favourable, and the weather experienced in the
early part of theespweoetekofwatbsecoeorotanitnrlyy;nsoitnooef
Wednesday
avcehdanraescdteayr
toimprove the
an auspicious change has, however, taken place,
to tbece, and
we are disposed to place but little importance
discolouration of the blade, caused by the recent cold
rains. On the whole, we regard the prospects for the
future as promising ; but we must repeat the remark
made on a former occasion, that to enter into any pre-
dictions at this early period, of the probable result of
the harvest, would be mere guess work. From some
cause not easily explained, holders of wheat, who last
week appeared to be losing confidence, have resumed a
very firm tone, and at several of the leading provincial
markets a portion of the recent decline has been re-
covered ; at the same time we can notice no improve-
ment in the demand,' purchasers having conducted their
operations on the same retail scale as before. The re-
gular course of business has, besides, been more or less
interfered with by some of the leading markets .having,
in consequence of Good Friday, been—hethrff there-es. -
miler day ; notwithstanding which, fine wheat has
slightly advanced in value.
At Liverpool, on Tuesday, the best qualities were
held 2d. per 70Ibs. above the currency of that day
seinnight, and needy buyers had no alternative but to
pay the advance ; since then very little business ap-
pears to have been done there, but the rise previously
established was supported on Thursday. In bonded
wheat little appears to have been done at that port
beyond small purchases for immediate liberation by cer-
i tificates.
The advices from the western and north-western parts
of the kingdom are of a similar nature to those from the
places already named, the tendency of prices having
been rather upwards at Birmingham, Bristol, Glott-
cester, &c.
In the agricultural districts the value of wheat seems
likewise to have been well supported this week, the
growers having scarcely brought forward sufficient to
meet the demand, limited as has been the latter. It is
always a difficult matter to form anything like an accu-
rate estimate of the quantity of grain remaining in the
hands of the farmers ; considering the character of the
Proposed change in the duties, the probability is, that
they have been less disposed than usual to hold back, surd
we therefore incline to the belief that, in comparison to
the quantity secured (and we maintain that the last crop.
was short of an average), there is less in the hands or
the growers than in ordinary years at the corresponding
period.
The somewhat firm tone of the advices from the south
seems to have had the effect of checking the retrogsdes
movement in prices in Scotland ; and we learn from Ed-
inburgh, under the date of Wednesday, that fine dry
qualities of wheat had met with some attention, and had
realised fully former terms. Barley had also brought
quite as much money, and oats had advanced Is. per
quarter. At Glasgow, on Wednesday, the trade was
also very firm for all articles. and the turn was, in most
instances, in favour of the seller.
Our private letters from Ireland confirm the state-
ments repeatedly put forth by the Government relative
to the scarcity of provisions in the sister isle, and Or e
consequent distress among the poorer classes, Tee
dearness and inferior quality of potatoes had, it is sta',:ed,
caused ea unusually large consumption of oatmeal ; this
circumstance, and the recent advance in the value of oats
in the English markets, had induced holders of the latter
article to raise their pretensions, and, high as prices now
are on this side, they are still relatively low in com-
parison to the rates generally asked at the leading Irish
shipping ports.
Owing to Good Friday, we have only had two business
days at Mark-lane this week. Of Monday's market we
gave our usual report in our last number, and we have!
therefore, merely to notice the transactions which took
place on Wednesday; they were of too little importunity
to require lengthened comment, still it may be as well to
mention each article separately.
The arrivals of wheat coastwise into Londe-en have
amounted to only 3,379 qrs., whilst by 'And-car-
riage of samples from the home counties the show
was trifling in the extreme on Wednesday ; the
little exhibited consisted, for the most part,
of inferior qualities of red lett ovf.se from Monday.
The inquiry for these was by no msans lively, but factors
were not disposed to accept less money ; and the few
parcels which changed hands were sold at rates quite
equal to those current M the beginning of the week.
Our millers are in want of really dry parcels of Eng-
glish wheat ; and had any such appeared, rather en-
hanced terms would probably have been paid. Superior
old wheat is also much required, and as there is none
of fine quality remaining in granary, the abso-
lute necessities of buyers have obliged them to release
small quantities out of bond (principally by certificates).
On the other hand, there has been no speculative in-
quiry for lock wheat ; and, though previous prices have
been realised for the moderate quantity taken to supply
the pressing wants of the town millers, it would have
been impossible to have made important sales even at
considerably reduced rates. We have again to report s
large arrival of wheat from abroad, 29,874 qrs. having
come to hand up to this (Saturday) evening. A large
proportion of the supply is from the Mediterranean, and
consists of secondary qualities, not likely to meet with
much favour at present.
The flour trade has remained in a wretched dull state,
and, though present prices of the article, as compared
with those of wheat, do not pay the miller very hand-
somely for grinding, the bakers appear to anticipate a
reduction, and consequently refuse to increase their
stocks. Bonded flour has been rather more pressingly
offered, and purchases might, in particular instances,
have been made on terms which would not previously
have been accepted,
Barley has come rather sparingly to hand, the receipts
for the week consisting of 4,706 qrs. from our own
coast, and 1,508 from abroad. The transactions were,
on Wednesday on a strictly retail scale, but needy buyers
had to pay fully former rates, not only for the finer sorts,
but likewise for the common descriptions.
In malt there was scarcely anything doing ; and in
the absence of operations of importance, quotations re-
mained nominally unaltered.
The arrivals of oats have not been large from any
quarter, and, inclusive of 2,940 qrs. from abroad, the.
total supply up to Saturday. evening amounts to only
plse 15, q. i
?erns sh To
rhtenwf etehkel Ty
ur
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ionn ,dconsiderable s ianrondapdsn.ceasvheavbeeegnradmuadalelyicnret he
et
up. On Wednesday there was not much passing, still
needy purchasers had to pay quite Monday's currency.
Beans were even more neglected than in the com-
mencement of the week ; in partial cases this article
might have been bought the turn cheaper.
White peas also hung heavily on hand, but maple and
grey were in fair request, at th,.+ recent improvement.

DULWICR G ALLERY.—T his interesting collection of
paintings was on Monday visited by upwards of 500 persons.
VICTORIA PARK.—OR Monday, this locality was.
thronged all day with visitors, to see the progress of work&
to which the eastern inhabitants of the metropolis havel,
until lately, been strangers. On Good Friday the number
of visitors was estimated at about 25,000, which was yester-
day considerably exceeded. Great activy is shown its the
progress of the plantations, upwards of 20,000 trees and shrubs
being now in the ground, and the leading roads and foot-
paths being completed. A handsome lodge, in the Elias-
bethan style of architecture, for the residence of Mr. Ones,
the forester, has been completed at the entrance from Bishop.
Bonner's Fields, which is across an adjacent iron bridge of
very light and elegant construction; and the whole of the
pales and railings are up, the park being now thoroughly
inclosed. A plot has been staked out near this entrance, of
about four acres in extent, on which to form a piece of orna-
mental water. The regulations of St. James's park with re-
gard to the admission of visitors are observed as far as possi-
ble, the park-keepers having orders to exclude all disorderly
and drunken persons, itinerant venders and dogs. Notwith-
standing the number congregated the last few days, and the
very promiscuous nature of the assemblage, the utmost order
has been preserved by an efficient staff of park-keepers under
the direction of Mr. Mobbs, the chief gate-keeper, and very
trifling injury or damage was done. The plan of a er:ientifio
arboretum is being adhered to in the plantations.
Southampton.,Company
eeayreturn v
e. per
are
Manchester,stef andthe 02::cf.i02. rda Junction
C
rt thea
a paadL
Tthleawschlicemthewhiuth failedtheir
servants
taahetsprliesjcednts,ta,anre4hntehietdhaders.i
subject of
meeting of the Eastern Counties Otriesiryely
receipts
had
branches, Mr. Hudson stated that
thenegotiations
Government of the
and railway
now Cheater
a cahnedd
tii.4ol.ysih,"dThceo amresphuaclatythoowfuittrhhoef
refuge
the immediate formation of
.f h
~ the works
be carried out to the full
peixetrenist
todescberaibeepdroopnriatthede
tpriierwatte the
tow alantit.sertphoert,eui stitahya that
attune company agreed to eon-
pahlaonuel,dand be immediately commenced, and prosecuted with
c The d inthneer
use of her Majesty's Go-
rtherstnhumetmeconotins,tapenaxdnPyted'hseittpi:raneffis•ent harbour deepened for the purposes
of the railway by giving accommodation to the larger class
of steam-packets, until such time as the new harbour and
pier can be made available. Government has undertaken to
pay 30,000/. annually for the carriage of the mails for five
years, to be subsequently increased on a scale with the in-
' terest accruing to the line. The shareholders have consented,
to the terms proposed. The Cornwall and Devon Contrail
line is to be " wound up," and the deposits returned less that
legal and necessary expenses. A committee has been ap- •
pointed to carry out the resolution passed. At the Grty,t
Luxembourg meeting the majority of the sharebold ors
agreed to support the directors in promoting the undertaking.
The opposition parts, on this occasion appears tO have. sus:
tabled a complete defeat.