The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-18 00:00:00

ST/ TE OF TRAI'E.

MANCHESTER, April 17.—A strong attempt to
bring about a reaction in cotton at Liverpool appears
to have had some effect. In Manchester private tele-
grams were carried about this morning, reporting
the probable sales at Liverpool to be 20,000 bales,
but authentic accounts at the close of the market
say only 12,000 were disposed of. These reports
have had little effect generally on the yarn and cloth
market, beyond giving a little more steadiness and
regularity to prices, except in shipping yarns. In
these a large business is reported, and in most cases
at about ld. per lb. advance on the low sales made
on Friday and Saturday last. Many large lots have
been cleared out for the eastern markets and for
Germany, and this branch of the market closes de-
cidedly better. In home trade yarns the low prices
have tempted buyers to supply their immediate
wants, but sellers have had to do business at the
low prices of last Friday, and any advance checks
operations. The only improvement is a steadying
of prices. In cloth the depression of last week has
continued up to the present day, with a more de-
cided reduction in the prices of all goods, without
exception. Large offers have been made at low rates,
but hitherto little or no business has been done. We
have a little better feeling in the market to-day, but
no quotable change in prices. Messzs. John Slagg
and Co. report of this day's cloth market :

" Since Tuesday the heavy drop in prices has been
more decided, and we have to make a serious change
in our quotations. There is not much confidence
shown in the present low rates, and we believe the
business done is but on a moderate scale."

CARDIFF, 16th.—The activity which has charac-
terised the steam coal trade for some time past con-
tinues. The demand for the continental and other
markets was never better, and the quantities sent
by rail to London and Birkenhead are increasing.
In the Rhondda Valley new collieries are being
opened, and the outport will be considerably in-
creased. Quotations for steam are well maintained,
and the future of the trade is decidedly promising.
House coal is in average request. There is no mate-
rial change to note in the iron trade, but from some
of the foreign markets there isa better inquiry ; still
business is not so brisk as was expected. Transac-
tions with America are rather quiet, and merchants
are holding back home orders which are not of a
pressing nature. Firmness characterises the pig iron
trade.

LEEDS, 17th.—The attendance in the woollen
cloth-markets this morning has been moderate, but,
as for the last few market days, operations have
been somewhat limited. This feeling of quietness as
to purchases and orders is partly attributable to the
season of the year, and partly to the fear of war be-
tween Austria and Prussia. Still the manufacturers
are well employed, especially those of heavy goods
designed chiefly for exportation, such as pilots, wit-
neys, and flushings. The manufacturers of one of
the outlying districts, noted for these kinds of good,
have orders on hand that will keep them busy for
two months or more to come. The continued hard-
ening of the prices of wool and other raw material
makes manufacturers careful in their dealings as to
the future, as it also has the effect of keeping quota-
tions for all woollen fabrics in the market very firm.
NOTTINGHAM, 17th.—There was a fair attendance
at our Exchange-hall to-day. The business done in
lace yarns was not extensive, at no material altera-
tion from the prices of last Friday. The demand for
hosiery yarns was quiet, and late currencies were not
supported. There was-not much doing in silks, and
prices were rather easier. Brown nets very dull ;
prices much the same as heretofore.
ROCHDALE, 16th.—During the week the flannel
market has not at all recovered from the quiescent
state which has so long been complained of. Buyers
from one part of the country or another go the
round of the warehouses regularly, but their selec-
tions have been most meagre. Manufacturers keep
pretty well employed, especially those engaged in
the making of fancy goods. The home demand for
plain goods has, however, called for the application
of more industry in that department, and some of
the mills are mulling additional machinery. There
is no change in the price of any article, and although
the demand for common Yorkshire woollens is
almost extinguished, the price of wool forbids any-
thing like a uniform concession in prices. The price
of the raw material is very high, and business,
therefore, exceedingly limited.

MARKETS.—This Day.