The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-08 00:00:00

TRADE AND FINANCE.

The Board of Trade returns, after a tedious delay, have
at length been issued. They are decidedly favourable, and
show that, notwithstanding the general complaint of the
stagnant condition of trade during the past year, commerce
has extended in a healthy and natural ratio. Annexed are
the figures for the whole year. The declared valise of
our exports of British and Irish produce and manufactures
during the year 1868 thus compares with 1866 and
1867 : 1866, £138,917,536 ; 1867, £180,961,923 ; 1868,
f 179,463,644. The computed real value of the articles
imported during 1868 and the two preceding years
was :-1866, £238,773,192 ; 1867, £231,358,887; 1868,
£249,616,302. Athough the exports, as stated above,
chew a slight falling off in value as compared with
1867, there is, when we come to look at the quantities
shipped, a decided increase in almost every important
staple. Cotton goods have been freely dealt in ; and,
although there is a falling off in the export of woollen and
worsted cloths of nearly seven millions of yards, there is
an increase in the shipments of worsted stuffs of upwards
of twentyfour millions of yards. Very little importance
can be attached to estimates or declared values. This is a
measure that is ever fluctuating, as the prices of the
articles themselves fluctuate. For instance, in the case of
our exports of cotton goods, the total number of
yards shipped during 1868 is returned at 2,966,706,542
as compared with 2,832,023,707; chewing an
increase of upwards of 131 millions of yards. On
the other hand, the values for the above shipments are
returned at £50,128,760 and £53,128,163 respectively,
chewing a decrease of three millions sterling. On this
account very little reliance is to be placed upon computed
or declared values, as they are very apt to mislead. We
do not argue, however, that they are useless. Far from it.
The returns for January shew their usefulness in a great
degree, and afford us an explanation of what, up to this
time, has been somewhat enigmatical. We always expect
that towards the close of the year there will be a decided
augmentation in our export trade. This year, however,
the augmentation has been greater than usual, and the
excess of shipments accounts for the pressure upon the
money market which has been experienced for some time
past, and for the rising value of money. '1 he following is
the comparison of the real value of our autumn imports
for the last two years :

1867. 1868.
September
October 1'0,570,923
November
December 25,844,830

Here, then, we have in every month a large increase in
the value of the articles shipped, an increase that would
speedily tell upon the money market. The quantities
exported may not have increased in proportion to the
excess in the values declared—in point of fact they have
not done so, as prices of most articles of produce
were on the advance towards the close of last year, but
he amount of paper afloat would be greater in pro-
portion to the advance in the value of the articles them-
selves. That this has been the case is very evident. Mon, y
Is gradually becoming dearer and dearer, and an early
advance in the Bank rate is considered imminent. Another
point which suggests itself here is the fact that most
persons expect that our imports would be the same, or nearly
so, month by month, throughout the year. Nothing could
be more improbable. Our imports are principally of
vegetable origin, which necessarily depend upon season
for their ripening, and we must naturally expect that
they will be heavy at certain portions of the year, while
comparatively light at others. Again, many ports are
closed against us at certain portions of the year, such as
the Baltic and North American. In future, however, we
venture to predict that the railway will play an important
part in this matter, and will obviate the difficulties
that we have had to contend with in the past.
The only feature of the week in the financial world has
been the introduction of the long•delayed Turkish Loan.
There was great reason for this delay, as it is
►ery evident that the Turkish Government is
getting more and more entangled in its financial
arrangements. The loan is for a slwi t period, being
repayable in four instalments, extending to 1573 only. This
appears to us only a spasmodic effort on the tart of the
Turkish Government to hold their heads above water for
some time longer, however short ; and we venture to say
that the financial collapse of the Turki4h, Qin-eminent is
mar at hand.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

MARLBOROUGII-STREET.

BREAKING A WONIAX'S ARM.—Joseph Barton, of No.
110, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square, butler, was charged
before Mr. Tyrwhitt with tho following violent assault
on a female named Annie Connor.

The prosecutrix said that between ten and eleven tho
previous night she was in Berkeley-street, when she met
the prisoner, who spoke to her and walked a little way
with her. While going along the prisoner lifted up her
c'othes and then tried to make off. She followed him and
took off his hat so as to detain him till a constable came,
and he then struek her in the eye with his fist and across
the ribs with his stick, and tore off her bonnet and broke
her jet chain. He then went away, but she followed him,
when he knocked her down six times, the last time break-
ing her arm.

The prisoner said that he never attempted to raise the
prosecutrix's clothes.

Mr. Tyrwhitt asked the prosecutrix whether she ever
saw the prisoner before, and she said that he was an entire
stranger to her.

In answer to the prisoner, the prosecutrix stated she
never asked him for any money.
Th 3 prisoner said that was not true, and that when he
stooped to pick up his hat the prosecutrix tried to take his
watch.

The prosecutrix said she never had any intent!on of
touching the prisoner's watch.

The prisoner said he pushed the prosecutrix to get rid of
her, but had no intention of injuring her.
Alfred Cording, 41 C R., said that on going to Mount-
street, hearing cries of " Police," the prosecutrix charged
the prisoner with breaking her arm, and some persons told
him that the prisoner had knocked her down five or six
times. The prisoner said the prosecutrix had followed and
annoyed him, and that be pushed her.
Mr. Tyrwhitt asked the prosecutrix what she was, and
she said she had been wet nurse to a member of the Earl
of Derby's family in 1862.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said that was some time ago.
The prosecutrix admitted that since she had been lead-
ing an immoral life.

The constable said, in answer to the magistrate, that
he lrld seen the prisoner about the streets of nights for
three years past.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said that whatever the prosecutrix was
she was not to be beaten and have her arm broken. The
prisoner would be remanded that some of :the witnesses
might be found, but he would take a £3O bail.