The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-26 00:00:00

THE IRISH LINEN TRADE.

The early part of this month did not do much for the
department of sale. Bleached linens accumulated con-
siderably ; the turn-eut from the several finishing esta-
blishments have been very large. Orders to a very hand-
some amount have come to hand within the last few
days, and the total quantity of clearances effected will
move off all extra stocks. From the chief markets of the
United States the reports are very satisfactory. As we
stated some time age, the peopling of the far West, if it
carried cif a great array of our Irish popula.iore has been
the means of raising new markets for our textiles in
several parts of the world ; the taste for wearing linen
clothing in these countries will therefore be cultivated to
a greater extent, and every fainily that tal:es up its abcde
in distant lands becomes a large consumer of our staple
products. The amount of business transacted with the
recently rased cities and towns in districts of the United
States where, some years ago, there was scarcely the
evidence of civilisation, has this year shown a large in-
crease. Australia has not yet come up to expectation as
to demand for liven goods ; this year, however, there is
a great improvement in these markets. Brown webs were
a good sale at the several towns in this and the neigh-
bouring counties during the last eight days. Damasks
are moved in larger lots, and diaper; .ell at full rates.
There has been more inquiry for printing lawns, and the
handkerchief trade, though quiet, is steady. Coarse
linens, whether for the brown or white finish, are worked
off in ample quantities. Stocks of such goods range at a
low estimate. Yarns are not charged in value. The
demand for warp yarns continues good, and welts of the
higher members sell readily at the top figures of
.last
month. Flax has held its position even in the face of all
the increased importations from the Baltic. Samples of
fine Russian continue to be moved at rates which would
average 63. 9d. per stone. Home-grown ffix sells at Gs.
3d. to 7e. 9d. for hand-ecutched ; a few lots were sold
this week at Bs. Milled goes eff at 7s. to Hs., with
6d. for very fine lots. Our reports relative to the present
season's flax are so contialictery that as yet we cannot
form any definite opinion on the subject. The more scien
tific growers, however, seem pretty well satisfied as to the
prospects both of yield and quality.—Banner of Ulstcr.

THE GENERAL SCREW STEAM'
SHIPPING COMPANY.

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders
in the General Screw Steam Shipping Company was
held yesteriay afternoon, at the London Tavern, for the
purpose of considering the proposal for the dissolution of
the company; Mr. Raikes Currie, M.P., chairman of the
board of directors, in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN moved, " that this company be dis•
solved," which was seconded by the DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN.
Mr. TAYLOR asked for some information as to the
prospect of selling the vessels ; certainly they ought not
to be sold by public auction without reserve. He should
be glad to know what price the directors put upon the
vessels ?

The CHAIRMAN said the ships would only be sold by
public auction in the event of their remaining. unsold by
private treaty at the end of Octobe.r. lie did not think
it necessary to answer the other question,
In reply to other questions,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors offered to ex-
tend the time within which the French Clipper Compiny
were to purchase the company's vessels, but the offer
was declined, Prop >sale bad been made for the employ-
ment of the company's vessels for a period of two years,
as well as for their absolute purchase, but ho did not
think it right to disclose the terms,

After some further discussion the resolution was put
and carried ; but it was announced that it would be
necessazy, in accordance with the law, to take a ballot
on the question, and also to confirm the vote at another
meeting, convened for the purpose.
The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the
Chairman.

M 4RICET NEWS.—(This Day.)

lIAY MARKETS.

meadow hay, 3/ 51 to 5/ 15$ ; new
do., 3/ Os to 4/ 58 ; old clover, 4/ Os to 61 108 ; new do., 3/
lOs to 51 Os; and straw, 1/ 8s to 1/ 13s per load. Trade
dull.

CIIMBERLAND.—ota meadow hay, 3/ 8s to 51 16s; new
do., 31 Os to 4/ 5s ; old clover, 4/ Os to 61 83 ; new do.,
3/ lOs to 510 s ; and straw, 1/ Os to 11 14s per load. A fair
average supply, and a sluggish demand.
WHITECHAPEL•—OId meadow hay, 31 5s to 51 15s ; new
do., 3/ to 41 5s ; old clover, 41 Os to 61 153; new do., F/
lOs to 51 Os ; and straw, 118 s to 1/ 133 per load. Supply
good.

COLONIAL.
Tai.—The demand is very limited, and no change in
prices can be quoted.
SUGAR. There has been a better demand for the finer
qualities, and full prices have been realised ; inferior de-
scriptions have ruled dull at about former rates. The
quantity advertised for public sale during the week is very
limited. The refined market has been steady.
COFFEE.—The demand has improved, and Plantation
Ceylon ruled at firm rates. Native Ceylon realised pre-
vious prices, viz., 51s to 55s Gd.
RICE.—A fair business has been done in this article,
previous prices having been fully sustained for good cleaned
qualities. Patna brought 15s Gd to 17s Gd per cwt.
RUM.—There are no transactions to report in this article,
and prices are without material change.
TALLOW.—The
market has been firmer, and the de-
liveries have also increased. P.Y.C., on the spot brought
5.15, and last three mouths 51s 3d per cwt. ,

Another step in the preparations for establishing a
submarine telegraph between America and Europe has
just been completed. A month back the New York,
Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company, by
whom the enterprise is undertaken, succeeded in laying
down a cable, manufactured by Kuper, and Co., of
London, from the northern point of Nova Scotia to Cape
Ray, Newfoundland, a distance of 85 miles, and this will
be extended across Newfoundland to St. John's Bay,
whence the ocean distance to the west coast of Ireland
is 1,640 miles. Meanwhile the small steamer Arctic
was despatched by the United States' Government,
under the command of Captain N. Berryman, to
make soundings between these two points. She left
Newfoundland on the 31st of July, and was not expected
on this side until the first week in September, but her
arrival at Queenstown, Cork, took place on Saturday,
and she is said to have performed satisfactorily the
object of her voyage.

A deputation of Hungarian Protestants, who are en.
deavouring to enlist the sympathies of their co-religion-
ists in various parts of Germany, under the hardships to
which they are suljected by the Austrian Concordat, are
now at Berlin, and hare had an audience of the King.
The following appears in the St. Petersburg journals
of the 17th :--" On the occasion of the rise in the price
of corn at St. Petersburg, the military governor-general
of the city informs the public that he will proceed to the
sale of the grain remaining in the magaBirs de reserve of
the capital, with a deduction of 10 per cent, in favour of
the poor and the retail dealers in bread."