The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-12 00:00:00

Ironniasters' Quarterly Meeting.

WOLVERIIAMPTON, Wednesday Evening.
The quarterly meetings of the ironmasters of this
district commenced here to-day. The attendance
was scanty, and comprised almost exclusively those
who are engaged in the trade in this locality and in
North Staffordshire, scarcely any of the Liverpool
exporting firms, or those similarly engaged in other
parts of the country, being represented. So far as
relates to actual business this meeting might as well
not have been held; there were scarcely any buyers
present, and none of them evinced any disposition
to enter into engagements, though they might have
done so on good terms, as all, except a very few of
the makers who stand in the highest repute, have
confessedly not sufficient orders in hand to keep
their mills and forges more than half engaged ; in
that respect alone the trade is in a worse condition

than it has been for several years, and other circum-
stances are operating prejudicially for all who are
engaged in it. The specifications in the market aro
scarcer than they have been for a long time past.
The foreign houses are doing next to nothing, and
home consumers avoid buying a ton beyond their
immediate requirements. Had the Bank rate been
lowered somewhat of a better tone might have been
imparted to this meeting, and in the event of a re-
duction taking place to-morrow it may help to en-
liven the Birmingham assembly, whereas its reten-

tion at 10 per cent. will contribute to make this the
quietest quarter day ever experienced in this locality.
For every description of finished iron the demand
falls very far short of the average, and even under
the most favourable circumstances relative to the war
and to the money market it is not likely that for the
next six weeks, at least, any material improvement
will take place. In the meantime the second-class
firms will be glad to take orders at the best prices
they can command.

Pio• 0-iron is dull of sale, There were no transae-

tions in it at this meeting, and a nominal quotation
was given-ss. per ton below last quarter-day, but
the price is still too high as compared with that for
which the manufactured commodity is selling,
The district has borne the pressure of the last two
months wonderfully, having regard to the peculiari-
ties of its position, and there are good grounds for
the hope that it will now tide over without further
casualties of importance.

NATIONAL STANDARD THEATRE.--Mr Frederick
Maccabe, the inimitable humorist, mimic, and
ventriloquist, commenced an engagement on Monday night
at this popular theatre, and on Tuesday night repeated
"musical, dramatic, and ventriloquial entertainment," en-
titled "Begone Dull Care," in which his marvellous power
of changing the voice, figure, and face, together with the
rapid and picturesque changes of costume, won the admira-
tion and excited the continued laughter of a crowded house.
ills powers of mimicry and imitation are certainly amusing,
and his character representing an old pursy gentleman
making an after-dinner speech was so comic, and withal so
correct, that everyone present was convulsed with laughter
Then, again, his impersonation of Miss Mary May, $
sentimental young lady, in dress, voice, deportment,
action, and manner, was a finished performance, and vie
could not help wondering what a marvellous change -orae
effected, from an old gentleman making a spoeOL itt
dinuer.party, to a young lady reciting her love adV.oh-
tures, and that in a few seconds. There is an 6:1;1.'191
sketch of " Lord Dundreary," which is very amusing, but
the " Wandering Minstrel," in two pictures—Romance and
Reality—set the audience in roars of laughter. Mr. Mac-
cabo, twith his other accomplishments, plays and sings
well, so that his appearance as a Troubador in magnificent
costume,with a guitar in hand, singing a vorypretty song,
had really a very pleasing effect ; but the other side of
the picture was one of the most amusing representa-
tions that could be witnessed. The Romantic Troubactor
is followed by one of those poor, miserable beings too often,
unhappily, seen in the streets of this great metropolis,
clothed in rags and playing a penny whistle, to attract the
notice of the humane and induce them to throw him e
copper. The music and the songs were irresistibly comic,
and made the whole audience actually shout with laugh"
ter. Mr. Maccabe next gave specimens of his extraordi-
nary powers of ventriloquism, sometimes holding a con-
versation with three imaginary persons ; and altogether it
was one of the most amusing entertainments given in that
most populous neighbourhood for a very long period.
At the Bank of England yesterday there was a
further withdrawal of £215,000, in gold, for Paris.
A call of £2 per share has been made by the Hop
and Malt Exchange and Warehouse Company on
the shares upon which £5 is subscribed, payable on
or before the 3d of August.

At a meeting to-day of the shareholders of the
Oriental Commercial Bank, it was re,Fmlved to willd
up the affairs of the ekabliEhment.