The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-06 00:00:00

ART AND LITERARY GOSSIP.

The Atheitcrunt states that a book called " Fairy Fancies"
(to be published by Messrs. Hurst and Blackett) will be
illustrated from drawings by the Marchioness of Hastings
—A new comedy by Mr. Andrew Halliday, entitled
" Marriage," will be produced at the St. James's Theatre
early in 1870.—Mr. Charles Matthews will leave England
for Australia on the 31st of January. His farewell will be
taken in a special performance at Covent Garden Theatre
—Madame Viardot has authorised the contradiction o:
the rumour which has appeared of her coming engage-
r:lent at the Royal Italian, or any other opera house, in
London.

The Musical Standard says that it is reported that
Rubenstein will have the direction of the Conservatoire,
Munich, in room of Hans de Bulow.—M. Stumpf has
commenced at Amsterdam a series of concerts de-
voted to the works of Dutch composers; the music
also will be exclusively performed by Dutch artists.—
It is said that Cardinal Bonnechose will examine for the
so called cEcumenical Council the libretti of all operas at
present in representation at Romc. They will then bo
condemned or approved, according to the Romish standard
of morals or philosophy.—The copyright of Sir Michael
Costa's "Naaman” was disposed of at Messrs. Puttick's
sale this week for £333, while that of "Eli" fetched
£1,462.

TRADE AND FINANCE.

SATURDAY ETENINCik

The most prominent feature in the commercial worla
is the great depression which is now affecting the wheat
trade. The causes which have combined to produce this
feeling still exist, and there is no likelihood of these being
speedily removed. The imports of wheat—more especially
from the United States—have been extremely heavy, and
far in excess of all anticipation. Previous calculation in
regard to the course of the quotations has been altogether
set at defiance, and, instead of the firmness, which was so
confidently expected, having prevailed, a rapid and
continuous fall in prices has been experienced.
Wheat is now about is. per quarter cheaper than
at tho commencement of harvest; a heavy reduc-
tion, considering the short time that has since
elapsed. The inevitable result of this state of things has
been the suspension of several firms of position, whose
standing in the market has hitherto never been questioned,
and the effect of these suspensions upon the trade gene-
rally has been very prejudicial. Grain bills are now
regarded with a certain amount of suspicion in Lombard-
street; and, though we believe that the extent of the
crisis has been much exaggerated, some difficulty is found
in dealing in paper drawn against shipments of wheat,
This is not to be wondered at, as there is a loss of fully ss.
per quarter, on the average, on all wheat now arriving off
the coast.

The very liberal imports we have been receiving have
caused a large increase in the stocks of grain on
hand, and, until these have been to a great extent worked
off, we cannot look for any return of activity in the trade.
The amount of produce now afloat for the United Kingdom
is now very large, the actual number of wheat-laden vessels
accrtained to be on passage from the South of Europe and
Americe to ports-of-call, and to direct ports in the United
Kingdom, being 417 against 325 at the corresponding
period last year; and in the face of those heavy anticipated
arrivals, it appears probable that a further reduction in
prices must ensue. Nevertheless, there are features in the
trade which suggest the hope that the downward move-
ment in the quotations has at length been arrested, though
the signs of a reaction are as yet far distant. Great
stress is laid by the advocates of falling priced
on the fact that the stocks of grain in granary shew a large
increase; but it must be borne in mind that both millers
and bakers—as might be anticipated from the hand-te.
mouth purchases made for so long time past—are literally
bare of stocks, and the excess of wheat in the hands of
importers is held unwillingly, and must be regarded to
some extent, as so much produce misplaced, ot rathe_
temporarily delayed in transit. Another point is the fact
that several cargoes of wheat have been purchased for near
continental ports, which shows that the prices abroad arc
relatively higher than those current here, which is, to say
the least, significant.

The foreign loans introduced into the money market
during the week are of a better character than those
to which we have recently been accustomed. The
loan for the Dutch Indian Railway, under the uncondi-
tional guarantee of the Dutch Government, is an excep-
tional investment, for Holland stands in a more favourable
financial position than any other country of Europe—Great
Britain alone excepted. The return on the investment at
the price of issue-5k per cent.—is not large, but the
security is very good, the Dutch expenditure being fully
kept within reserve. It may be mentioned that during
the past twenty years the national debt of Holland has
been reduced by fifteen millions sterling.
Messrs. C. Ocvaux and Co. have also brought out a satis-
factory loan for the Bucharest and Giurgevo=Railway. The
Roumanian system of Railways is now becoming most im-
portant, and will have a most marked effect upon our com-
merce with Central Europe, especially as regards the grain
trade. The new line to Giurgevo--which will afford a
novel and easy outlet for grain bound to the Danube—is a
most indispensable branch, and will be an important step
in the completion of the network. The line, so far as it
has been finished, has been taken over, and is now worked
by the Government, and we have every reason to believe
that the returns aro satisfactory.

The Princess Mary of Teck is again enciente.
The police will in future take charge of the gun-
powder magazines at Upnor, and as soon as possible the
w tole of the stories will be removed, in accordance with a
memorial of the residents in the neighbourhood.
Gossip has revived the rumour that Mr. Parker,
the member for Perthshire, is about to ally himself with the
Premier's family by marrying the eldest Miss Gladstone, and
that the marriage will take place at the same time as Sir
James Lawrence's with the second daughter.
The confirmation of the election of the Bishop of
Winchester will take place on Saturday next at Bow Church.
flis lc rdship's chaplain at Winchester will bo the same as at
Oxford, with the addition of the Ilev. J. Sumner, the rector
of Buriton. The Dean of Norwich still retains his honorary
chaplaincy.

It is currently reported at Chatham, says the
Pall-Mall Gazette, that the Admiralty will shortly promul-
gate a new scheme, by which greater inducements than those
nt present given will be offered to tho officials of the various
dockyards to induce superfluous clerks and heads of depart-
ments to retire. Under the terms of the late order from the Ad-
miralty, a period of no less than 10 years was added to the
tame of certain officials to enable them to receive an in-
creased rate of superannuation allowance on retirement.
The inducements held out, however, do not appear to have
been acted upon to the extent contemplated by the Admi-
ralty, and it is now generally uoelerstonel that a far more
itinrAl PAT Will 6119TtlY b 11100

to
nt,r
olluiw

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, DCC. 5.
The Queen, with their Royal Highnesses
Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, and Prince
Christian, and the Ladies and Gentlemen '.ll
waiting, attended Divine service this morning in
the private chapel.

THE PRINCESS OF WALES.

The following bulletin has been issued :-
111AnnonouGn HousE, Dec. C.
"The recovery of her Royal Highness the Prin-
cess of Wales is steadily progressing

" The infant Princess continues well."
It is considered unnecessary to hsue mere

bulletins.
(Signed) ARTHUR FAURE, M.D.
EDWARD 11. SILVEKING, 411. D;

LATEST INTELL LGENC

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per French Atlantic Cable.)
NEW YORK, Dec. 4.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CLOSING PRICES.
Gold closed at 1224 ; the highest quotation do"
ing the day was 1231; the lowest, 1221.
Sterling Exchange on London 1081.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 114.1.
c‘ " 1885 ll2l.
4i " 1867 ll4l.
10-40 cc
Illinois
Erie 26t.
....
Cotton—Mil upland ....................... 251 c.
Petroleum—Standard White .............. 32e'i
Flour, extra state, $5.25c. to $5.85c. Corn, °'d
mixed, sl.llc.
SOUTIIAMPTON, Dec. G, 9 a• 51%
The North German Lloyd's steamship Al3l°'
from New York, has just arrived off the Seedes•
QUEENSTOWN, Nov.
The Guion steamship Manhattan, from Nes.
York, arrived here to-day at 7.10 a.m. with 81
passengers, some of whom she landed, and Pre
'
cee led immediately for Liverrool.

AUSTRIA.
VIENNA, Dec. G.
The Emperor arrived here this morning at I'll3e
o'clock in excellent health.

TRIESTE, nee' (lief
The Empress left here last night at 8.45 P'r''
Ancona on her way to home.

:NDIA, CHINA, & AUSTRALIA (HEAVY.)

MAILS.

SUEZ, Dec. 6.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
China, sailed at four p.m., yesterday for Bonbal.
GIBRALTAR, Dee. 4.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
~
Ripon, from Southampton on the 27th ult., arrived
at 7 and left at 10 last evening for Alexandria.
ALEXANDRIA, Dee. 5.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers
Tanjore and Nyanza left at 6 this morning.
The former may be expected at Marseilles on tile
evening of the 10th (Friday), and the latter at
Southampton about the 18th instant.

FRANCE.
la,*
BOURSE, Dec. 4.—Three o'clock—The War
closed as follows :
Ii per Cent.
End of month — Ital'an Five 5....... 5!
.....
per Cent
End of mouth_ 71 72/ Ottoman Loan ..• 3"" 35
7redit Mobilier
Transatlantic 230 Spanish Threes ... 24 .....
redit Foncier —1612 Rome Debt...... •' ,
Paris Gas 1517 50 Deferred ....... .. --
ash.
RAILWAYS, 9371
Orleans , ....
Western
Northern lOOBl.
... ......
578
Strasburg ••
Lyons and Mediterranean
5834
Southern..... 5O
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard 471
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman