The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-11 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

HALIFAX, Feb. 9.—With the exception that wool is
rather firmer, and that both spinners and manufacturers
are asking higher rates, we have no material alteration
to note since our last report. There is a better feeling
amongst all classes ; and the fall in the price of provi-
sions is generally hailed as a forerunner of a brisker
trade.

LEEDS, Feb. 9.—ln the coloured cloth balls to-day
there was a good attendance of purchasers, and for most
varieties of woollens there was an active demand. The
inquiry was brisk for tweeds, and noticeably affected
the market in that department. In the white cloth
ball there was also a good business ,transacted. The
price of wool is exciting considerable attention. In
the London sales, owing to the increased rates obtain-
able in the clothing localities, quotations bane advanced
id., 'ld., and I.d. per lb., and this advance has been
readily conceded by purchasers. Several Government
orders for navy cloths, which have come into Leeds
during the past fortnight, have sensibly increased the
demand for foreign wool ; and there is, also, much
inquiry for both clothing and combing purposes.
The advent of a secure, honourable, and abiding
peace is now eagerly hailed ; at the same time, it is
felt that our important branch of national industry bas
not been materially affected by the war. In Halifax
there has been no advance obtained in wool, and but
little business was done on Saturday ; but the trade of
this locality is peculiar, and the quotations of its market
do not indicate to the general reader the character of
its business. Yarn is firm, and has about an average
demand. The same in worsteds.

GLASGOW PIG-IRON MARKET, FEB. 9.-- We have again
to report our pig-iron market as flat. Warrants at 735.
casb, closing sellers at that price. No. 1, C.M.B. at 74d.
6d.; No. 3, at 725.

EPISCOPAL FREAK.—Wei learn that the Bishop of
Salisbury has refused to consecrate the new cemetery
at Blaudford untii the board erects a communion table
in the Episcopal chapel ! At a parish meeting on the
subject, it has been unanimously resolved not to comply
with the request.—Liberator.
RIO DE JANEIRO.—Her Majesty's ship Tyne, Master,
Commander P. Weliington, arrived on Friday afternoon
at Spithead, with the mails from Rio de Janeiro, The
Tyne, in lat. 17 49 N., long. 36 27 W., spoke the barque
Maggie, of Jersey, Captain Healin, 85 days from Leo-
choolGo, bound to London, all well ; on the 24th of
January, in lat 25 3 N., long. 36 46 W., the Portuguese
schooner L'Autriche, 52 days from Rio Grande, bound
to London ; on the sth of February, ]at. 48 10 N.,
long. 10 86 W., the ship Francis Barclay, all well.
The Tyne has made a fine passage, out 39 days, and
home 43 days. The exchange rose from 27i d. to 28d.
on the Tyne's leaving with the mails. She has expe-
rienced very bad weather since leaving Terceira, and bas
been under storm sails in thick weather, three days in
soundings, and passed many ships hove to, having made
no land before the light of St. Catherine's on Friday
morning, when it was still thick foggy weather he the
Channel.
FALL OF KARS.--A public meeting of the citizens of
Worcester, convened by the mayor, at the instance of
the Administrative Reform Association, has been held ;
the mayor, Mr. Goodwin, in the chair. Messrs. Ben noch
and Moore, from the London society, having addressed
the meeting at considerable length, resolutions were
unanimously carried, pledging the meeting to support
the Administrative Reform Association, and a petition
to the House of Commons was adopted, praying for the
abolition of the system of promotion to public offices,
and of purchasing commissions in the army, for the abo-
lition of the establishment -of public competitive exami-
nations as the test of fitness. A memorial to the Queen
was also carried, praying her-Majesty to issue a commis-
sion to make full inquiries into the Kars affair, which
was signed by the mayor on behalf of the meeting. The
proceedings were conducted with great order and una-
nimity, although an opposition bad been anticipated. A
vote of thanks was passed to the mayor, and the pro.
ceedings were wound up with three cheers for adminis.
trative reform and the brave defenders of Xars.

LOWERING SHIBA' BOATS AT SEA.—Her Majesty's
Emigration Commissioners having instructed Captain
Schoruberg, R.N., to test Clifford's plan of lowering in-
stantly, and entirely disengaging, ships' boats, when
laden with the entire crew, the necessary arrangements
have been made, and a life-boat of ,the Commodore
Perry, 2,000 tons, chartered by the commissioners for
the conveyance of emigrants to Australia, duly fitted.
The boat weighs 12 cwt., and will be manned by 10 men,
and the trails were to take place on the Mersey, at one
o'clock this day, under Capt. Schomberg's immediate
direction. The late catastrophe off Folkestone shows
how much some means of readily effecting the end now
sought to he achieved is wanted. A second ship, the
Gourelza, is also to be fitted, and the management of the
trials from her entrusted to Captain Loan, R.N., the
emigration of for London, from which port she will
be despatched about the 19th instant.
MURDER BY A CONVICT—PORTSSIOUTIII, Feb. S.—This
morning a convict named Jones, No. 1,246, stabbed Mr.
Charles William Hope, assistant•surgeon on board the
Stirling Castle convict invalid hulk in this harbour. The
wound was inflicted in the neck by some sharp instru-
ment not discovered yet, and seems to have divided the
jugular vein, causing death in a few minutes. The pri-
soner seems to have become desperate on the deceased
refusing to certify the necessity for his remaining in the
lower deck, which is a sort of invalid ward, and wreaked
his vengeance on him in the gallery of the chapel, after
leaving the surgery when he had been examined. From
language which he used afterwards to Mr. Williams, the
chief warder, it would seem he intended to murder him
also, as he said, " If I could get at you I'd serve you the
same, yon villain !" Mr. Swainson, Admiralty
coroner at Portsmouth, summoned an inquest of the
most respectable tradesmen at Gosport, of whom the
Rev. A. Ewing was foreman, this afternoon on board
the Stirling Castle, which Wad adjourned until Monday.