The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-28 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Jan. 25.—T he yarn market has been rather
steadier to-day, at about Tuesday's prices. In shipping
yarns there is not much change. For home trade yarns it
is difficult to get any advance, but business has been about
of average amount. Tho cloth trade on the whole has been
rather quiet, but in some departments we note an excep-
tion to the rule. In the finer and lighter fabrics, such as
jaconets and twills, a large business has been done at fair
prices, and some contracts have been placed for future de-
livery. For India shirtings and other goods there have been
some large offers made at low prices. In most cases manu-
facturers have been indisposed to accept such rates, but
there are others whose necessities have influenced them,
and such offers have led to business in some instances.
CARDIFF, 24th.—During the past few days there has
been a slight falling off in the demand for steam coal from
several of the foreign markets, and the collieries are not so
actively employed as usual. It is expected, however, that
this will only prove temporary, and that as the year ad-
vances the requirements of foreign buyers will increase.
Thera is a brisk inquiry on inland account, and the metro-
politan markets are taking large quantities. For shipment
at Birkenhead there is an average demand. Hoist) coal
proprietors are fairly off for contracts, and the clearances
coastwise since the commencement of the month have been
considerable. The local consumption has largely increased,
but with the advent of milder weather there is likely to be
a falling off again. At some of the ironworks there are indi-
cations of a slight improvement in the placing of orders, but
as a general rule matters in connexion with the trade re
main in about the same state as last reported. More buoy-
ancy is confidently looked forward to in the home branch,
and the prospects of spring business with the foreign mar-
kets are upon the whole satisfactory. Dulness characterises
the pig-iron trade, and quotations aro in favour of buyers.
For tin plates the inquiry is moderately good.

LEICESTER, 25.--The wool trade remains without any
alteration in the amount of business transacted. There aro
no orders excepting for lustre and hog wools. Farmers,
who have hitherto been very firm, aro said to display a
more tender feeling, and prices to have a downward ten-
dency. For woollen yarns there is little more inquiry, but
the uncertainty of prices'prevents ordersbeing given. Cot-
ton yarns are also in inferior demand at late quotations.
The improvement which has been noticed for the past few
weeks in the worsted spinning department has given way
entirely, and trade is again dull and lifeless. Prices aro as
before, but there is hardly sufficient doing to test the mar-
ket. In hosiery there is more business than for some weeks
past, and spring orders aro coming iu fast. These had been
kept back in consequence of the severe weather—buyers
refusing to make purchases while the snow lay on the
ground. In the elastic trade there still continues a good
demand for gusset webs for shipping wants, but the home
trade remains very inactive. Most of the manufacturers
are, however, able to give their workpoople full employ-
ment.

At the annual meeting of the London Athletic
Club the other day it was suggested in the course
of conversation that athletic sports, open to all
comers, should be held at Paris during the regatta.
If the idea were carried out, and prizes for running,
walking, jumping, swimming, &c., offered, there is
little doubt the very pick of our English athletes
would find their way over to France to test, for the
first time in history, in a friendly way, the thews
and sinews of their country's old adversaries.
HEAVY IMPORTATION OF AMERICAN GAME.—On
Saturday the markets were very largely stocked with Ame-
rican grouse or prairie fowl, which were imported into
London in a good state of preservation. They were sold
at 38. to 4s. 6d. per brace. There has been no importation
this season of ptarmigan from Norway. wocAeocks from
liolloud are very plentiful.