The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-07 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND CITY NEWS.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
Very little activity has been apparent in the
foreign and colonial produce markets during the
last few days. Prices, however, with one or two
exceptions, have been firm. Tea continues at full
rates, and some of the finer qualities of black leaf
Congou have slightly advanced. For sugar there
has been a limited inquiry, and prices have slightly
given way. Coffee, rice, and spices have been dealt
in to a very limited extent, and fruit has been in
active demand, chiefly in the finer qualities of cur-
rants and Valentia raisins. Figs are scarce, and
higher rates are asked than have been known for
mine years. Saltpetre continues steady, and tallow
dull--the quotations for P.Y.C., on the spot and
for forward delivery, showing a tendency to de-
cline.
Letters from Liverpool report that the Cotton
Market, yesterday, closed heavily, and prices were
unaltered. The sales were estimated at 7,000 bales.
In the Railway Share Market only a limited busi-
ness was transacted, although values slightly im-
proved.

A second dividend of 2s. 6d. in the pound has
been announced by Messrs. Alexander Hinkey and
CO., who failed during the crisis.
The suspension of Messrs. Hicks and Gadsden, in
the American trade, was announced yesterday.
Their liabilities are estimated at about £50,000.
They have issued the following circular :
" 13, Great St. Helen's, Dec. 6.
" Gentlemen, We deeply regret to inform you
that, in consequence of the depreciation in the
value of produce coming forward on our account,
We have been compelled to suspend our payments.
" Our books are in the hands of Messrs. Quilter,
.Tay and Co., who will prepare a statement of
car aralrs and submit the same to our creditors at
the earliest possible moment. In the meantime we
beg to request your forbearance, and are, gentle-
Inen, your obedient servants,
"HICKS AND GADSDEN."

The dividend of the Bank of British North
Aulerica, declared at the meetinn to-day, was at
the rate of 6 per cent. per annum. The operations
of the present year seem to have been much con-
tracted owing to the late crisis, but the provision
made by the directors was quite adequate to meet
all contingencies. It is intended to establish a
branch at Vancouver's Island, so as to take advan-
tage of any opportunities that• may arise through
the gold discovery in the Hudson's Bay territories,
Which intention has been approved of by the Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies. No balance-sheet
Was laid before the meeting, as it was not the
anilual assembly of the proprietors, when the
Ile,eftilts are to be presented duly audited, in cora-
Pdance with the deed of settlement.

The general appearance of the money market is
Precisely the same as for some time past. When-
ever a number of payments simultaneously fall due,
'whether on commercial account, or for joint-stock
aPaurPneee, the demand is stimulated and the rates
t-;:vanne, This, however, must be expected, when
te e inquiry is previously most quiescent, and the
)2..11:18 are much below the average. The
nveMent, however, is only temporary. A reac-
ienary tendency is already observable, although,
few days ago, the settlement at the Stock Ex.
e'auge, and the commercial bills due on the 4th,
Fchleed the features we have just described
411U-class bills are negotiable at 21 per cent. ;
incl. although the applications are stated to have
ihereased at the Bank, where 3 per cent, is charged,
h stances are mentioned of superior foreign paper
laving been discounted within the last two days at
n per cent.
The English Stock Market has exhibited indi-
Leations of weakness, a decline of 1 to 1 per cent.
frrilig at one time been reported. For the moment
Ze quotations were under the influence of the settle-
lA, and the closing of some Bull accounts has
produced this adverse movement. Consols for
1;"eY receded to 97S 1, and for the January
ecnunt 81 to 981,—the " contango" having in-
percao sed symptoms of recovery, have since been re-
brrted, but no permanent advance has been esta-
Aished• The New Threes and the Reduced
tonlluities have been 96a and 96 t; India Stock,
special transfer, is quoted 228 ; and the De-
bentures are flat at 991. The March Exchequer
1311183 345.;
and June ditto, 325. prem.
ell4siness in the Foreign Stock Market is ex-
enlelY inactive, and some of the prices are rather
6-tressed. Turkish 6 per Cents. :are 92 ;1,- ; ditto
CIP, Ist issue, t dis. ; ditto, 2d issue, 1 prem.,-
zueing steady. Spanish 3 per Cents. are 47 ; Vene-
ionela 5 per Cents., 421 ; and Dutch 4 per Cents.,
11• Chilian Loan is ;I a.
1,;11 the Railway Share market a decided irn-
iinetnent has been apparent, most of the principal
e 8 showing an improvement of about 4to Q per
ehn:t c'n yesterday's rates. Great Northern, Man-
ster, Sheffield and Lincoln, and North-Eastern
ko iek improved. ss. Caledonian, Chester and
kia,_`37llead, and North British, 10s. Brighton,
Ith-'4lnd, Bristol and Exeter, and South-Eastern
p-Irc realised fully previous quotations. The
t:reign lines have been inactive. Paris and Lyons
141),r,nved about 55., and Northern of France ss.
Yes "le Colonial Market East Indian were steady at
ea„ter,daY's quotations, and Great Western of
Joint
improved about ss.
tn °tint Stock Bank Shares have been firmer.
\ill' of Australasia improved 10s. ; London and
eAst,lnillster, 10s. ; and London and County, ss.
CIl limited business was reported in the Miscel-
ects Market. Australian Agricultural im-
D,Co-ved to 34 and 341 ; London General Omnibus
ot u-anY were 14 ; and Trust and Loan Company
Pper Canada, R.

- -
s
a TISII FUNDS TH_ IS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. s
a Per Oeut, Reduced Annuities 96/ i i ,
Is.`,;'l. eenkt. Consols Annuities
w 3
Iht, Per Cent. Annuities
bitt4 Stock
Shut 228
eo,ols fore
-. Account, Jan. 11 9Bl
E March
u Exchequer Bills, Ll,OOO, 2d. mid... , j 32
, ° Small, lid.
I'lliep
Ilill.._* - .`" OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Di, 6 per Cent
go d 1
'1 per Cent. Scrip
patio, , I p
Ditto ? Per Cent —
Turk. .Account
b. Jell 6 per Cent —
bltto Account
bit.tto New Loan Scrip — •
Ven 4° 4ecannt
011ela• 6 per Cent.
Itto Account
NI Dividends on the above payable in London.
tiith Elehange, 12 Guil. 21 per Cent —
-to Certificates, 4 per Cent.

_
TWO O'CLOCK,
Consols, Money
'Ditto Account, January .. • • • • • • • 98it

1t014v.„1‘11... FOR AMERICA FROM GALWAY. The
J haall steamship Pacific will sail from Galway for St.
StIC:SIIN-elvfoundland, and New York, on Thursday, the
1-".' Mails for this ship will close in London to-morrow
10sev"" EAGLE CLIPPER.— This packet, which
the ceesteLiverpoel on the
.18th, carrying a ships mail, is orle of
and brated line of clippers belonging to the firm of Gibbs
the A right, of Liverpool, and may be the pioneers of
/404118tralian trade. Her burden is 1050 tons, and she has
Skihsslne of the most remarkable passages on record. Her
40r the co combine every p" possible convenience
yenta comfort of passengers. The foree cabin arrange-
terpa; are excellent, and the 'tween deck are fittings un-
r„aed. She is commanded by Captain Murphy, who
by his courtesy_ and attention the esteem of all
of the ship is
tkeenlef Passengers. The great advantage , alian ports,
ace she,
Carries passengers to all the Australian p -14. to a gradui.ted scale of charges.
Vikbe'.4ollS BILLS OF EXCHANGE. —A large
L.44dit. of fictitious bills of exchange on London seem to be
"41 ° cireulati the continent, where they a. pTO -
134 Yaki, Veil to hotel keepersen and others by practised swindlers.
th,lioelt buird
,ay five of these bills were presented at one joint-
h-(4a '4) at which the acceptors, whose names and ad-
-4.0 ",10._`ivere false had pretended to make them payable.
th 7 4q,-"`"tts rang' ed from £5O to £2OO, and in most cases
(,414e4t0-es,_ used as those of the drawers and acceptors were.
,-.4lktii„,-1 Pear a resemblance to such of. the London mer_-
1", -1,44„0,415es as are best known on the continent. Each
07kleste""fte had evidently passed through many respectable
,11116, before presentation, and consequently bore a number
ilt I.•—te irldorsenaentr.
adia -'ll understood that the recent sale of £500,000
;°llda to the Bank of England by the Council of
°thes ~.effected simply by an issue of new bonds in place
417° -:t,,hieh had lately been brought in to be paid off in
tie at1146-J with notices given by several holders rather
."4 a Year back, when the price had stood for some
Ala NAisiderable discount.
(1„ ThISIONIAL COMPLICATION.—The Burling-
°4°) $a Zawke tells of a lady in that vicinityl who,.by
tnTai•
,got he lf into the following distressing
e`llsl,,'u regard to her o family. She is sister-in-law
6cl-I.lo'htehrrit aunt to her brothers, sister to her uncle,
uer grandfather, and great aunt to her own