The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-01 00:00:00

SEEDS.

Seeds still attract but a limited amount of attention. In
their value, however, compared with, last week, there is 149

Messrs. Cunard, Wilson, and Co., of Liverpool,
have issued the following half-yearly circular :
" When we issued our circular of the 31st of De-
cember last the market for the sale of ships was
active, and several superior new vessels had just
been sold at improved prices. In the first three
months of this year these prices were maintained,
but the unfortunate outbreak of civil war in
America led to anticipations that a large number
of United States vessels would be forced upon the
market ; several were certainly offered for .sale,
but the prices put upon them were generally too
high to enable us to effect many sales. In the
early part of the year some vessels arrived with
powers of sale at very low limits, and these were
disposed of ; but the vessels that have recently
changed hands have realised better prices. The
tonnage of the United States of America in 1845
was 2,476,765 tons, while in 1857 it amounted to
4,960,137 tons. In 12 years, therefore, it was more
than doubled, and it seems impossible to compre-
hend how this enormous increase could have found
profitable employment. At any rate it must, to
largest P other
nations, ana the part has proualmy been
absorbed in British ports. There is, therefore,
every probability that in the present interrupted
state of the American trade more United States
vessels may be offered for sale, but we do not fear
that these will have any effect in reducing the value
of the new colonial tonnage, expected in August and
September. United States vessels are generally
well-built, but for some trades they do not com-
mand a preference, and many shipowners prefer
buying vessels from our own colonies. Connected
with this, we have pleasure in noticing that the
model and style of finish of the Quebec ships of last
season were much better than those of preceding
years, and we are advised that those of this year's
build will show still further improvement. Our
market is now nearly clear of colonial-built tonnage,
there being only nine vessels of 5,188 tons unsold,
and British-built vessels continue to be inquired
for. We are offering for sale a few very superior
colonial ships launched since this day of last year,
at prices varying from £7 10s. to £8 10s. per ton,
according to finish and outfit ; but some new vessels
of good material, though rougher in workmanship
and finish, and built in the northern parts of New
Brunswick, can be purchased at considerably lower
prices. Iron vessels, of 12 years' class, with East
India outfit, can be built at from £l5 to £l7 per
ton, and we especially note several inquiries for
iron vessels some years old, and of from 400 to 1,000
tons register. High-classed British timber-built
vessels, for the finer East India, China, and West
Coast trades, will not, we believe, at present in-
crease in value. It appears that exporters are not
shipping largely, and that the general low outward
freights must, to some extent, operate against an
investment in this description of British tonnage.
We regret to have to announce the loss of over
900 vessels, but we believe that up to this date
it will not be greatly increased. Our recent ad-
vices from the North American colonies inform
us that the amount of tonnage which will be
launched for sale this year, subsequent to this
date, will not exceed 51,000 tons ; of this, 22,000
tons may be expected from Canada ; 17,000 tons
from St. John, New Brunswick, and neighbour-
hood; 7.500 tons from the northern ports of New
Brunswick ; and about 4,500 tons from Nova Scotia
and Prince Edward Island. Of last year's new sail-
ing vessels, 647 of the tonnage of 105,554 were built
in the British possessions, and registered in Great
Britain ; while 686 timber-built vessels, of the ton-
nage of 112,097 tons, and 32 iron vessels, of the
tonnage of 13,584 tons, were built and registered in
the United Kingdom. The total amount of ton-
nage registered as British vessels appears to increase
each year, and we again notice that the tonnage of
steam increases more than that of sailing vessels.
The total of the former registered at the 31st Dec.,
1839, was 389,515 tons, and in 1860, 454,327 tons,
being an increase for the year of 16 2-3ds. per:cent,
while that of sailing vessels was, in 1859, 3,879,592
tons; and in 1860, 4,204,360 tons, being an increase
of 87, per cent. over the aggregate tonnage of 18 59."

A BRILLIANT COJI

TO THE EDITOR OF " THE SUN."

SIR,—At half-past ten o'clock last night, as the
clouds cleared off, I was astonished at the appear-
ance of a comet of enormous proportions in the
North.

Its nucleus is considerably larger than a star
of the first magnitude, with a tail more spread
than that of Donates which appeared in 1858,
and as long as that at its maximum, although net
quite so brilliant.

It was situated in the constellation of Auriga,
about 10 degrees above the horizon—an altitude
which it maintained during the time of my ob,er-
vation, viz., 12 o'clock.

The rapidity with which the comet appears to be
pursuing its course may account for its not having
been previously noticed by astronomers.
Should the sky this evening be clear, it cannot
fail to excite much interest.—l remain. sir, your
obedient servant, C. NORRIS.
14, Steward-street, Spitalfields, London,
July 1, 1861.