The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-04 00:00:00

ALTERATION IN THE BANK RATE

OF DISCOUNT.

A further relaxation has been made in the
minimum rate of discount, and it is now fixed
at 3i per cent. This is the lowest point attained
since September, 1855, and there is every pro-
bability of another reduction before many weeks
have elapsed. The state of the money market,
and the influx of gold, fully prepared the public
for this modification, and as there is still a differ-
ence of per cent. between the newly adjusted
quotation and the terms current in theopen market,
it would create no surprise if another per cent.
were subtracted next week.

The Joint-Stock Banks and discount houses are
expected to reduce their rate of interest to 2 per
cent., in which case a further large aggregate
amount of deposits will no doubt be withdrawn
from those establishments for investment elsewhere.
Money being plentiful, the preparations that
have been made for the payments to-day, the 4th
of th• month, have made scarcely any impression
upon the market. The demand for the moment
has rather increased, but this will subside in a
few days. _

The Funis are not so buoyant as might have
been expected. Temporarily, however, the settle-
ment occupies chief attention, and influences quo-
tations. Thus far the arrangements have progressed
satisfactorily.
Consols for money have been 951 1, and for ac-
cr.unt, March 4th, 95} b. The present quotations
are 95i 1 and 95i 1 respectively, being higher.
The New Threes are 951 ; the Reduced, 95i ;
and Bank Stock, 227. Exchequer Bills are 255. to
30s. prem. ; ditto Bonds, 1004 ; India Stock,
219 ; and ditto Bonds, 21s. prem.
In the Foreign Stock Market there is very little
activity, and prices remain without alteration.
Turkish 6 per Cents. are 981 99, and the 4 per
Cents. nominal. Brazilian 5 per Cents. aro 103 ;
Equador New Consolidated 14 ; Portuguese 3 per
Cents., 455 ; Russian 5 per Ceuts., 112 ; Ditto 45
per Cents., 99a 100 ; Sardinian 5 per Cents., 891 ;
Spanish 3 per Cents., 421 ; ditto Deferred, 26 ;
and ditto Passive, 5.

The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks i—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 516; Mexican,
20f 21; Peruvian 4i per Cents., 79 81; ditto 3
per cents., 54 56 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 44i
451 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 110 112 ; ditto 4i per
Cents., 99 101; Spanish 3 per Cents., 41i 42i ;
ditto Deferred, 251 24.

The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up
to this day, are in round figures as under :-
18b8. 1857.
Great Western £25,647 £24,200
..North-Western
Booth-Western
Brighton
Midland
South-Eastern - 16,171 16,059
Great Northern
Lancashire and Yorkshire 19,545 21,741
Bristol and Exeter 5,199 5,279
East Lancashire 5,195 5,894
Lancaster and Carlisle
Manchester, Sheffield, & Lincoln 9,177 9,059
North-Eastern
North London
North Stafford
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverh 3,730 3,818
West Hartlepool 2,781 2,721
Waterford and Limerick
Edinburgh and Glasgow
Glasgow and South-Western
Scottish North-Eastern 3,625 3,377
In the Railway Share Market this morning the
dealings were very limited, the settlement of the
account on the English Stock Market absorbing the
chief attention of the dealers. Prices in most in-
stances have tended downwards. Great 'Western,
North Western, South Western, Manchester, Shef-
field, and Lincoln, Midland, and North Eastern
(Berwick), each declined ss. ; and Great Northern,
sad South Devon, 10s. Caledonian, Brighton, arid
South Eastern advanced ss. ; and North British,
10s.

In the Foreign lines no business was reported,
and prices are quite nominal. Tice Colonial under-
takings are ashade firmer. Grand Trunk of Canada
advanced 10s. ; Great Western of Canada, 55. ;
and East Indian 10s.
Mines, Banks, and Miscellaneous Shares have
been quiet, but at bteady quotations. Bank of
Egypt advanced ss. ; Australian Agricultural, ss.
Electric Telegraph, it. Peninsular and Oriental
Steam, and Royal Mail Steam brought former quo-
tat ions.

BRITISH YUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES—THIS DAY,
(From the Officsal L 414 _

Business dons.
6 .nk Stook .. 227 25s
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Oent. Consols Annnitios 96iiii4i
New 4 per Cent. Annuities 96ii !i i 6
India Stock 219
Ind •, Bonds. 1:10010
,)itto, under £lOOO lB p
Ow_ solm for Account March 4 ... ....
Ego-miter Bills, 2nd
81000 .....
S unit
••• •••• 24 p
Exchequer Bonds, 1858,34 per Cent lOO4 4
Ditto, 1559

PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY.
Brastalan 5 per Cent.
Equador New Consolidated l4
Mexican 3 per Cent
Ditto Account 2oi 1
Peruvian Bonds, 4 per Cent --
Ditto 3 per Cent
5.1 Ditto Account
Partugnese Bond; 5 per Cent., Con. 1841
Ditto 1853, 3 per Cent i4s
Ditto Account -
Russian Ponds, 182'2, £ St., 6 per Cent lr2 11;
Ditto, iii per Cent.
Ihrdinian Bonds, 5 per Cont.
SP,nleli Bowls, 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
D .tto New Deferred, 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account 26
Ditt, Passive 6
Spanish Committee Cart. of Coup. not fun. 5
T tritish Honda, 6 par cent 99
1 Milo aDitto Account
uaranteed. 4 Cent.
- 03
Ditto per Accouni
103 k
Dividends on the above payable In London.
!itillEE O'CLOCK
Console, money
05i $
Consols account (March) .. 9sg i