The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-20 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, JULY 18.

There is very little change in the market since
yesterday. The trade in cloth with India is on a
very small scale, and the chief purchases this morn-
ing were on account of the home trade, which
remains steady for the time of the year ; but there
is seldom anything at this period of the year to give
an impetus to it. The general prosperity of the
country and the fineness of the weather have led to
a fair demand up to this period for printed muslins
and light fancy goods, and prices are well main-
tiine I. Cloths, as well as yarns, are also in request
for China, at full rates. The general or aggregate
business in cloth, however, is very limi•ed, and
continued proof of this is given in the fact that
sellers can make no advance in prices approximating
to the increasing cost of production. Stocks are
low, but prices cannot be made to keep pace with
those of cotton. In yarns, for whioh the export
demand is on a fair scale, including a rather brisk
trade for the continent, prices are id. per lb. dearer
than last week.

BIRMINGHAM, JULY 18.

Since the termination of the quarterly meetings
the iron- trade has remained steady, and parties
who were reluctant to purchase at declared prices
have been compelled to enter into contracts for
supplies at current rates. The American demand
continues to increase, and there is every appearance
of a more than usually brisk autumn trade, as well
with. the British North American colonies as with
thlb TJniteil Stat Es.
The copper-market, whidh it was hoped wasnioie
settled, is again disturbed by another expected
reduction of price. These fluctuations operate in-
jut iouslyuponminufacturers and factors. The former
decline purchases of the raw material beyond imme-
diate necessity, and the country trade decline to give
orders in prospect of a further fall in the prices
of manufactured articles. It is admitted, however,
on all hands, that more business is doing in brass
foundry goods than during the spring months, and
that prospects are hopeful rather than discouraging.
.The patent ship's sheathing and seamless tubing
manufactures are extremely active. The makers
of tin wares continue to be moderately well engaged,
but, as with other branches of local production,
chiefly upon f ‘reign orders. The military gun
trade is quiet, if not absolutely flat, but the birding
branch, as might be expected at this season of the
year, is extraordinarily active. Thera are large
orders in hand for edged tools required for the
South American and West Indian markets. For
generrl ironmongery factors' travellers report the
demat.d to be improving. In the agricultural
counties more particularly business is more active,
and all descriptions of implements find a ready
sale.

All branches of the glass trade in Birmingham,
plate and flint, are indifferently off for orders. In
conseqtynce of the depressed s'a'e of the manufac-
ture one of the largest establishments of the neigh-
bourhood has recently effected two reductions in
the wages of a portion of their men. This has led
to "a strike," and many of the operatives formerly
employed in the Spon-lane Works have, it is said,
bttaktn themselves for employment to the United
States.

The great foundries cf the district are fairly em-
ployed, and SOtne of them extremely busy. The
wrought nailers are full of orders' most of which
ate fo r shipment, and at Cradley and the neighbour-
hoo there is morn than ordinary bustle among the
chairmakers.

NOTTINGHAM, JCLY 18.

There is a slight improvement in the lace trade,
there haring been some small orders for the contin-
ent. There is a fair inquiry for cotton qudtings.
For first-aiss goods a fair price is given, while for
some articles the price offered is anything but re-
munerative. In most branches of the tra'le there
is not much doing ; July, however, is usually a fiat
month.

Silk continues exceedingly high, and as yet there
is no prospect of a reduction in price. Yarns are
also high.
In hosiery there is a little more doing ; trade,
however, still continues quiet in most branches, and
manufacturers are wisely 'abstaining from accumu-
laiing stocks.
Hosiery, silks, and yarns are without alteration.
LEICESTER, JULY 18.

There is an improvement in the hosiery trade,
manufacturers for the most part giving out more
work; In the fancy department there is a decided
change for the better, still the high price of mate-
ri.l will prevent manufacturers making extra
stock. There is not much change -in trade at
Loughborough or Hinckley. Wools are realising
very high prices. At Brackley fair the price
averaged was 425. per tod, being 6s. higher than
last year, and all the wool was disposed of with
the exception of two small lot.. .
Worsted yarns are advancing, but as manufac-
turers have still some stocks on hand, sales will
not be effected at the advance until those stocks
are cleared.

LEEDS, JULY 18.

The woollen trade has been rather quiet this
week, both in the warehouse and the pub-
lic markets. There appears to be a lull
in both the home and the export trade, and
purchases are made chiefly to make up stocks, or
where anything good and cheap for the fall
trade is offered. The manufactures continue to
be moderatt-ly well employed, and the stocks in
hand are only of an average character for the sea
son, so that, with the present prospect of an early
and abundant harve.t, a good trade for the close of
the year is anticipated To-day's market has pre-
sented no feature of material change. The attend-
ance of buyers was of an average character, and
they bought in the aggregate a good bulk of the
heavier kiodi of cloth for the winter trade, being
stimulated thereto, in some degree, by the prospect
of an increase in price, both wool and indigo having
advanced at the current sales in the metropolis.
The home growers of wool seem disposed to have
the very highest current prices, and are holding off
selling rather than take less. Hence transactions
in Yorkshire wools have not been very numerous
or to a large amount this week. Foreign and colo-
nial kinds, it is hardly necessary to say, are held
very firmly by the dealers.
HALIFAX, JULY 18.
_ _

The worsted and carpet trades are enjoying a
fair amount 'of prosperity, but neither of them is
actually brisk. The demand is more steady and
regular than in some past years, so that there is less
fluctuation and less ground for speculative hope or
fear. The great bulk of the manufacturing opera-
tives are in work, but not wholly on full time. To-
day's market has been fully as active as that of last
Saturday, and a good deal of yarns and pieces has
been sold. Rather less done in wool, and prices
without alteration.

DUBLIN, JULY 18.

The Customs' receipts for the week to Thursday,
July 16, inclusive, were 18,7261. against 19,7261.
last week.

BELFAST, JULY 18.

Linen.—We cannot notice any material altera-
tion in any branch of the linea trade this week,
either in supply or demand. •
Linen yarn unaltered.
Flax.—Owing to the large quantities of Baltic
flax arriving in our port, for the last fortnight, the
coarse qualities of both hand and mill scutched
flax have been neglected, and prices are now
in favour of buyers ; dealers are glad to get rid of
any stock they have on baud at less rates than they
haceounnots changesell
at
would have accep•ed 14 days ago.
Cotton.—We have no change to report in the
sale of muslins in Belfast. The quantity of goods
at present made in the country districts is still
wofhagterveaetrerha asett 'oLn In l
much under the mark, and as yet there is little sign
the rates of last month, those of the numbers ex-
ceeding 120's twist are firmer, and if Sea Island and
Egyptian Wools range at the high figures noted for
some time past spinners will be obliged to put on
additional prices. pace ; the
yarn all bitgrd