The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-25 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, MAY 23.
There was nothing like animation in the market,
and the purchase of only 28,000 bales of cotton at
Liverpool for consumption is a true indication of
the depression which characterises all branches of
trade in this district. Constantly a small business
is springing up in orders for assortment from vari-
ous quarters, but there is no bold and healthypulse
in any department, because the prices at which
goods are produced induce distrust, and buyers are
anxious to confine their liabilities within the smal-
lest compass possible until it is seen what is the
probable future course of prices. Manufacturers
and spinners are, in the meantime, anxious to keep
down the produce of the loom and spindle as much
as possible ; and, in addition to thcse at Burnley,
a number at Stockport, Bacup, Rochdale, and other
places are about to work only 40 hours per week.
BIRMINGHAM, MAY 23.
The iron trade of South Staffordshire continues
steady at last quotations. There seems to be no in-
clination, either one way or the other, to disturb
present prices. The demands from the British North
American colonies are improving. Most of the
large works are, however, full of orders, and are not
anxious to enter upon fresh contracts even at exist-
ing rates. Mine pigs continue firm at last quota-
tions, and the consumption increases rather than
diminishes.

The easier state of the metal market operates fa-
vourably, although not to any great extent, upon
the staple manufactures of Birmingham. Some of
the brassfoundry trades exhibit symptoms of im-
provement, but the brass and copper wire and
tube manufactures are still dull and inac-

tive. Cabinet brassfoundry is generally pretty
brisk, and the smaller makers of domestic wares
for the factors, who pay promptly for the material
they obtain and use "from hand to mouth," are
considerably benefited by the late reduction in the
price of copper. The Birmingham manufacturers
now in London represent the braziery business of
the metropolis as upon the increase. Orders are
comparatively good, and, if the prices of metal as
at present declared were satisfactorily established,
the demands of the entire country trade, it is
thought, would be unusually great.
Toe manufacturers of tin goods are busy, as are
all descriptions of the hollow ware businesses. The
consumption of these articles has recently kept the
chief establishments of the town and neighbOurhood
urgently occupied, as well for home as for foreign
requirements.
Little new can be said of the general trades and
manufactures of Birmingham. As usual, the sate
of many fluctuates with the season, when the article
manufactured is more or less required by consumers.
Although not unusually busy, many, if not most of
them, are doing more than an average amount of
work, and few are positively or extremely depressed.
For japannery there have lately been good orders,
and for ornamental productions and jewellery there
is a better demand than has occurred during the
year.
Tha glass manufacture is unquestionably dull,
and this is attributed greatly to the continued high
prices of materials.
The journeyman cabinetmakers in Birmingham
are seeking for an advance of 2s. per week in their
wages, but at present the demand is made respect-
fully, and there are no positive indications of a
strike. _

The founderies of the surrounding manufactur-
ing districts are, according to reports, pretty fairly
employed, the engine and boiler making businesses
being somewhat active. The cut nail manufacture
is busy, and at Willenhall the lockmakers are mode-
rately well engaged.
For the general hardware manufactures of the
town and neighbourhood it is said that extensive
foreign orders have been given out during the week.
A great portion of these have been for the South
American trade.

LEICESTER, MAY 23.
The home demand for plain hosiery goods is fiat,
and there is not much doing for the United States.
The sock and fancy branches are rather more active,
and there is also a little doing in the cotton branch.
The wool market is tolerably firm. The worsted
mills are working short hours. The hosiery trade
at Loughborough, Hinckley, and in the country
districts continues dull.

NORWICH, MAY 23.
The manufacturing trade here continues quiet,
but with the execution of the autumn orders a re-
vival may be shortly expected. The conditi of
the shoe trade is still favourable. The operatives
of the city are, generally spe LEEDS, well employed.
MAY 23.
There is no striking change in the condition of
the staple trade of this district ; but perhaps, on
the whole, a little more firmness has been mani-
fested during the last few days. Art aher better
feeling has been exhibited in the warehouses, and
several buyer 3 have been down from London and
the provinces, but their purchases have not been
on a large scale. Mediums, sound black cloths,
and a few fancy goods seem to be most in demand,
but the trade in mantle cloths is almost over for the
present, and the inquiry for winter goods has not
yot sot in. At the cloth-halls this morning trans-
actions were to a moderate extent, a pretty general
feeling which now prevails that there will be no
immediate further reduction in the price of the raw
.material having given a slight impulse to trade.

HALIFAX, MAY 23..
There is a little improvement to report in the
state of trade. More inquiry has existed both for
wool and yarns, but purchases are made with
eavation. The price of wool is maintained. Several
onions for yarns have had to be declined, in conse-
quence of the prices offered being such as to entail
a loss on the manufacturer. Rather more has been
doinz in pieces, especially in light fabrics for home
use, On the whole, the aspect of things is de
..