The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-10 00:00:00

r 4D. STATOMET.)

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Nov. 8
The reaction in the cotton-market has led to ex-
treme caution among buyers of goods here, from
an impression that prices must give way ; and this
result has followed to some extent in yarns, which
like cotton, aro d. per lb. below the extreme rates
attained eight or ten day ago. Spinners have
been easier to deal with, perhaps because many
who have had engagements are coming out of order,
and find it difficult to secure new contracts. The
aggregate of the week's transactions is inconsider-
able. In cloth there is rather more business,
though in most kinds for shipping the demand is
very sluggish. For light printers there is still a
fair demand from the home trade, calico printers
being mostly well engage!l, as they have been for
some months past, notwithstanding the dearness of
madder, indigo, rand other dyes and drugs,•as well
as of the fabrics required. In heavy domestics,
longcloths, and T-cloths, there is not much busi-
ness, and shirting cloths are neglected. Manufac-
turers, however, ire mostly engaged to order, and
maintain prices with much steadiness. •
BIRMINGHAM, Nov. 8.
There is little alteratio❑ in the state of the South

Staffordshire iron trade, the leading firms having
been according to all authentic accounts, in no de-
gree affacted by the failure of Messrs. Fox and
Henderson and the consequent embarrassment of
dependent feundere.• Fewnew or extensive orders
have been I r eight into the district, but first-class
houses are well emproyed and evince no disposition
to 'recede from last quarter-day's prices. The de-
mands of the. United States, as usual in the autumn
and the approach of winter, are limited, and there
appears little probability of an increase until the
arrival of spring. There is fair, but not an im-
moderate supply of mine pigs, but cinder pigs con-
tinue in excess, and as a consequence sales are
forced at reduced rates. It is stated that there is
no foundation for the report that. any meeting of
the pig makers, with a view to arrangements con-
nected with the state of the trade, has been in con-
templation this quarter.
The coal trade of South Staffordshire and East
Worcestershire is increasingly active, but as yet
there has been no advance to the, furnaces, nor
from the pits to domestic consumers. The great
iron foundries of the neighbourhood remain com-
paratively quiet. The determination of the cre-
ditors of Messrs. FoX and Henderson at the meeting
held in this town yesterday has afforded pretty
general satisfaction, although it cannot be denied
that there are creditors who doubt whether the
estate will realise the amount antieiiated.
The last few days have witnessed some improve-
ment in several branches of the trade and manu-
factures of Birmingham. Brass-foundry—one, if
not its chief, staple manufacture—takes the lead.
The brass bedstead makers are represented as being
busy, and one or two of the largest establishments
are at work overtime. The better descriptions aro
required for abroad, and of the commoner descrip-
tion of metal bedsteads con3iderable quantities are
required for the army at home as well as in the
colonies. The stove manufacture continues to be
brisk, and the patent safe trade has greatly in-
creased. The grate manufacture is dull, while the
fire-iron business is represented as being far from
active. The hollow ware trade, although mode-
rately good, is less brisk, owing to the stocks in
hand in Australia, and the great falling off which
has taken place in the exports to those colonies.
The tin ware business, notwithstanding the late
advance in the price of the material, continues re-
markably busy, and the patent enamel branch is
proportionably active. The paper furniture manu-
facture, as distinguished from the papier macho, is
extremely active. The increased demand is chiefly
for first-class articles. The manufacture' of the
best qualities of japannery goods is dull, the trade
being injured both as regards the character of the
articles produced and the profits of the manufacture
by the numerous mock auctions established in all
parts of the country. The lamp trade continues
good, and the chandelier manufacture has upon the
whole been tolerably active. There have been
some extensive orders for the East and the Medi-
terranean.

Tlie faders. of iixis town. and Wolverhtmpton
z:erTetmut b6w oohitstry Argvie ih

improving. The commerce which existed in Tinoa
. of the principal seaports has within the last few
mouths declined to some extent ; but in Liverpool
there has been an increase. In the north the im-
provement has been most marked. In the agri-
cultural counties of the kingdom business with the
Birmingham houses is at the present time lather
slack.

From the various manufacturing towns of the
neighbournood the intelligence received varies
little, from that of last week. At Iteditch the
the needle trade •is very active, and at Coventry
few complaints are made either by the watch ur
the riband manufacturers. The former branch of
local business has beeo in some degreb -slack in con-
sequence of the scarcity of American orders fur
movements, but is again looking upwards.' Pau-
perism is on the decrease.
NOTTINGHAM, Nov. 8.
Few }Avers have visited this lace-market. A
good many orders, previously given, chiefly for the
lower qualities of plain nets, for the United States,
are in course of execution, and some of them must
for some time remain on hand. Coarse nets are
again higher, as also are other goods of the lower
qualities. This trade is in few hands, and existing
machinery being limited, prices amounting almost
to a premium have to be paid for the goods when
manufactured, and even then a smaller quantity of
nets is produced than could be sold.
Hosiers also report trade to bo quiet. American
orders to a large extent are in course of comple-
tion, previous to the commencement of ope-
rations for the spring. Goods aro firm, and prices
have again been advanced.
Certain numbers of yarn are scarce, and all are
high in price. The open season greatly aids the
general employment of the people, and all classes
of operatives appear to be doing comfortably. A
number of large contracts in the course of execu-
tion take up all surplus hands.
LEICESTER, Nov. B.
The demand for regular hosiery is dull, and
manufacturers are operating cautiously,—a cir-
cumstance to be attributed to the present state of
the money-market. • In the country district of
Hinckley, the hosiery trade is improving, orders
having been received for spring goods. Spinners
are working short time, having a disinclination to
increase stocks. The worsted yarn-market is firm,
although the article is heavy of sale.
LEEDS, Nov. 8.
The cloth trade has been steady, but purchases
have been confined to small quantities for immedi-
ate use or to keep up stocks in the hands of retail
dealers. The wool sales in London having opened
on Thursday with buoyancy, and an advance of
price having been obtained, the markets for cloths,
in both the coloured and the white hall, were this
morning rather more animated. Buyers operated
with more spirit than of late and a good bulk of
cloth was sold, considering that this is usually a
rather dull period of the year, the principal winter
trade being over, and that for the spring not hav-
ing commenced. Both wool and indigo having
advanced, prices of cloth are firm. The better and
middle qualities of broadcloths have been sought
f.)r to-day, and a good bulk of them changed
hands. _ _

There is a little slackness in the woollen trade
about Dewsbury, but upon the whole the trade of
the district is in a satisfactory condition, and the
operatives are enjoying a full average amount of
employment.
At Halifax market to-day yarns and pieces were
much the same, both as to price and demand, but
wool was somewhat firmer.

DUBLIN, Nov. 8.
The Customs receipts for the week, to Thursday
inclusive, were 21,138/. against 24,2031. last week.
BELFAST, Nov. 7.
LINEN.—At Armagh goods sold more freely at
former rates. In Lurgan low-priced birds eye
were scarce and dear ; finer sets not so much
wanted ; damasks unchanged ; low lawns scarce ;
finer neglected. At Ballymena, the trade ruled
dull.

LINEN YARN continues in steady demand, at
former rates. Tows in good request, at full prices.
FLAX.—The various country markets have been
well supplied during the week. The demand con-
tinues active ht prices rather in favour of the
buyer.

COTTON.--Y arras do not show any advance in
the raw material. Goods sell at about the same
as last mouth. In the fancy trade improved prices
rule the labour-market, a large advance having
been found necessary to meet the demand for fine
qualities.

SuBSTITUTE FOR FOTATOES.--A good substitute for
p..tatutli nas been lutro4.ll,2eil in France, the Cbmropby!-
luin bulbosurn, yielding an abundance of tubers, of from
half-au-ounce to an ounce each, very wholesome, nod
with a delicate vanilla flavour, containing 21 per cent.
of starch. The Chterophyllum sativum is also said to be
an excellent salad.--Medica Times and Ga;Gtte.