The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-23 00:00:00

lar hand ; every letter is made with precision and
each word is neatly rounded off. For regularity
it is equalled only by those of Professor James
Hadley, of Yale College, and George G. Hillard, of
Boston. Donald G. Mitchell writes a queer hand,
quite legible and very attractive by its uniqueness.
The signatures of Bayard Taylor, Parke Godwin,
General John A. Dix, Dr. Henry W. Bellows, and
Theodore Tilton might pass for those of business
men, so clear and bold are they. Henry W. Long-
fellow, Richard Grant White, T. B. Aldrich,
James Parton, James D. Dana, John Savage,
George Ticknor, " Barry Gray," and George Ban-
croft, write " back-handed," each preserving a cer-
tain individuality of his own ; thus, Longfellow
inclines his letter; on a greater angle than does
White, and most all his marks are curvilinear,
imparting a singular grace to his writing. A
stranger looking at Professor Francis Bowen's
autograph would not be surprised to learn that it
was written by a student of political economy, so
regular and uniform are the letters. William Roun-
seville Alger writes a tremulous hand, in marked
contrast with the graceful yet bold chirography of
John G. Whittier. Jacob Abbot's signature sug-
gests at once the idea that he had just " set a copy"
for a pupil, while that of George William Curtis is
as flowing and easy as his style of composition.
Henry T. Tuckerman's chirography, too, is an apt
rescript of the readiness with which he is supposed
to compose. Oliver Wendell Holmes's autograph
has no marked characteristic, and affords quite a
contrast to that of James Russell Lowell (who
writes his name J. R. Lowell, however), which
would be almost illegible to a person unfamiliar
with his name, if such an one can be found among
his countrymen. And so we might run through the
list if space would permit.—Round Table.

COMMERCIAL.
NEW YORK, Friday Evening, April 6.
The price of gold during the past week has but slightly
varied, fluctuating between 1274 and 128, and closing to-
day at 1271 to 1271. The Railway Share Market is higher
under purchases, but there are no indications of increased
speculations for advance. It is the general opinion that
the present advance is to be attributed to the combinations
of speculators, and that these shares will not be popular
for investments until they have reached a much lower
scale. Towards the close of the market there was an in-
creased demand for Eries, and 784 was freely paid. The
last quotations -were—New York Central,. 921 to 92k;
Erie, 774 ; Hudson River, 1091 to 1094 ; Michigan South-
ern, 801: to 81; Cleveland and Pittsburg, 794 to 794 ;
Rock Island, 1144 to 1144.
In Railway Bonds there was an increased business, at
former quotations.
Gold-bearing Government stocks are steady. Currency
_ . .

issues lower, Sales of 7-30's at 99k, and of first series at

1001.
Money is active at 6 per cent. on call, which is ono per
cent. higher than last werk, and a limited business has
been done to-day at 7. There is increased caution 'mani-
fested by lenders. Prime commercial paper is more plen-
tiful, and saleable at 7 per cent. ; good names, 8 to 9 ; and
ordinary, 10 to 15 per cent. Erie Railroad paper, 71.
Yesterday considerable money loans were called in upon
gold certificates, with a view to employ the money more
profitably in the railway speculation now going forward on
the Stock Exchange. This turn has contributed to the
ease of gold certificates on the street for immediate delivery.
The Exchange on London was 1061 per cent. yesterday for
standard bills, and 105 to 1051 for merchant bills drawn
against cotton, with the shipping documents attached.
There continues to be a good selection of Southern Bank
credits on the market at 106 to 1061 per cent. To-day
Exchange was more active, at 1061 to 1061 for prime bills
at 60 days, with sales of document bills at less than 105.
Gold can at these rates be imported at a profit.
The Controller of the Currency denies the allegation that
he had written a letter to the Finance Committee of the
Senate, proposing to add $100,000,000 to the authorised
currency of the national banks.
The business of the Sub-Treasury to-day was :—Be-
ceipts, $1,341,585 49 - for Customs, $464,000 ; payments,
$568,365 51—on account of loan, $20,000 ; balance,
$83,032,006 32. Gold notes, $209,820.
Freights are quiet. The engagements to Liverpool are
500 bales cotton per steamer at Id. ; to London 50 tuns oil
cake on private terms.
The New York weekly bank statement for the week

ending April 2 is as follows:
Loans $237,356,099 Increase $2,855,581
Specie 11,930,392 Decrease 2,015,250
Circulation
Deposits
Legal Tenders.. 72,158,099 Increase 2,652,064
_ _

The firm of Beatty Brothers and Co., tea merchants,
have suspended, with liabilities to the extent of $600,000.
The failure is attributed to a member of the firm having
issued bills to the extent of $250,000 upon forged docu-
ments.

The suspension of James 11. Clapp and Co., bankers, in
Boston, is announced. • They had clipped too deep into

petroleum.
The-well known banking firm of Culver, Penn, and Co.,
of this city have suspended payment.
The movement of dry goods at this port for the past
week has been as follows :