The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-17 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, IJuly 16.—The yarn and cloth
market is extremely flat, and prices continue slowly
to decline, but there has been some little business
doing at very low prices. Some few buyers have
been induced to operate, believing it-probable that
prices have nearly touched the minimum for a time.
Upon the whole, however, there is very little life in
this branch of the market, and it closes tamely.
For home trade yarns, also, the market has been
quiet, but prices, though id. p 'r lb. lower than o❑
Friday, according to sellers, and reported id. to id.
lower by buyers, have hardly been so irregular as
they were last week. Most counts of these yarns
have been easier to buy to-Jay, but sellers think
they have observed indications of a greater disposi-
tion to buy. After so long a period of decline, in-
deed, it would be strange if speculators, even if
bona jide buyers continue to hold aloof, should not
be tempted to interfere. hitherto it has been one
of the characteristic signs of hopeless and unmiti-
gated depression that this class of operators have
been so quiet. We have still to report an absence
of business in cloths. Unfavourable accounts from
India induce shippers to that important market to
act with unusual timidity. The only offers jthey
have ventured to make to-day have mostly been. at
still lower rates than buyers, though quoting easier
terms than last week, aro willing, to accept. Some
people think there has been rather more inquiry for
shirtings, but the opinion is not generally borne
out, and manufacturers coming out of contract have
found themselves unable to book orders at the prices
which are offered. Sellers have offered their
cloth at a decided decline on the quotations of last
Tuesday, but even at this decline the market
closes with but few operations. The quotations
referred to ate 3d. per piece lower on 61b. and 71b.
32-inch Madapollams, and Gd. less on 91b. and 101 b.
36-inch printing cloth ; 3d. per piece lower on 51b.
4oz. to 91b. 39-inch shirtings; 9d. per piece on 91b.
10oz. ditto ; and Gd. per piece lower ou 91b., 101 b.,
111 b., and 121 b. 45-inch and 50-inch shirtings ;
and 3d. per piece down on long cloths and T-
cloths, while jaconcts have been moderately steady.
Messrs. John Slagg and Co. report of cloth:—
" Prices have gradually declined during the week,
and buyers have been still further deterred from ope-
rating by the recent unfavourable accounts from
India. To-day we have to notice a continued ab-
sence of demand, and as transactions can only be
induced by further concessions in price, we close
with a very limited business.

CARDIFF, 15th.—Steam coal proprietors continue
to complain of the scarcity of orders, and there is a
considerable degree of slackness evinced in the
foreign demand. The decrease is mainly in the pur-
chases of continental buyers, who are particularly
cautious in not overstocking themselves. The mail
companies, as remarked last week, are tolerably fair
customers. The efforts to increase the rail traffic
to Birkenhead are likely to affect the shipments at
this port to a slight extent. Iron ore is being im-
ported iu considerable quantities. The reports from
the iron works are somewhat more satisfactory, and
it is evident that the trade has entered upon a more
hopeful period. Additional rail orders are looked
forward to which, if secured for this district, will
keep the mills in good employ. Last month the
exports reached nearly 11,000 tons. For tin plates
cokes are selling better, and quotations are firmer.
LEEDS, 16th.—There is nothing of importance to
notice in the woollen cloth trade here since our Sa-
turday's report. There is more doing at both the
home trade and the shipping warehouses, but a good
deal of the goods despatched have been previously
ordered of the manufacturers, so that the public
markets have not been so much influenced by the
improvement in the trade which has gradually shown
itself during the past fortnight or three weeks. To-
day's markets in the cloth halls have ben pretty
well attended by buyers, who purchased to a fair
extent, but not much briskness. Indeed, steadiness
in the demand rather than great activity is the char-
acteristic of the present condition of trade. Goods,
both in coatings and trouserings, suited for the colder
season of the year, command most attention than
most classes of buyers, but the demand for ordinary
plain cloths, including superfine blacks, is not
materially below what is usual at this period of the
year. Tweeds continue to meet ready sale, espe-
cially the better qualities, and the manufacturers of
such goods are well employed. The prices of wools,
woollen yarns, and cloths are alike firm, but the
tendency at present is not upward.

MARKETS.--This day.

MARK LANE.

The show of home-grown grain of every description at
our market to-day was very limited, while the arrivals of
foreign to hand were on a most extreme scale. The quality
of the samples was generally good, and with a fair de-
mand for both rod and white qualities ; the trade for Eng-
lish ruled firm, and Monday's advance in the quotations
was well supported.

There was rather more demand for foreign wheat, but
Monday's values being demanded sales progressed but
slowly.

Floating cargoes of grain were little inquired for, but
we have no further change to report in the quotations.
Tho supply of barley was inconsiderable, but previous
value was fully maintained. The demand, however, was
in retail.

The malt trade was dull, but without animation. The
supply was somewhat limited.

The show of oats was very extensive, the imports up to
date having amounted to upwards of 45,000 quarters.
Sales progressed slowly on rather easier terms.
Beans and peas met a slow inquiry at late rates.
Cakes have teen rather more active, but agricultural
seeds aro in little request.

In flour there is vOry little doing, yet prices have been
supported.

SHI2 ARRIVALS THIS WEEX.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oa 40 Flo34ur.
English and S coteh 210 20 410 0
Irish
Foreign 32,990

780 45,770 1170 sacks
Maize, $B2O 750 brls
COMPARATIVE QUANTITIES AND PRICES OF GRAIN.
For the week ending July , For the corresponding week
13, 1867. last year.
Qrs. Aver. Qrs. Aver.
Wheat 25,512-64s 7d Wheat; 30,932-55 s 10d
Barley BO7-34s 9dl Barley 385-35s ld
Oats 1,490-28s 5d Oath