The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-21 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, Two o'CLocK,

Advice& from Liverpool state that the Cotton
Market yesterday closed steadily, and prices were
quite as firm as those current last week. The sales
were estimated at 6,000 to 7,000 bales, 2,500 of
Which were taken for speculation. The Railway
Share Market closed with less animation, but the
quotations remained without any alteration from
those current on Monday.
The accounts from the manufacturing districts
generally represent trade as being quiet, in conse-
quence of the enhanced price of cotton. At Not-
tingham manufacturers have not yet commenced
active operations for the spring demand, but they
Seem very confident of increased animation before
long• The inquiry for woollen cloths at Leeds is
steady, and an accession of orders has produced
confidence in the future.

In the rates of exchange for three months' bills
On the Continent, yesterday afternoon, there was
no alteration of importance.

About 50,0001., or according to another state-
ment 80,0001., in gold, was taken from the Bank
of England yesterday, for transmission to the
Continent, in payment for silver. This continued
drain naturally excites a little uneasiness lest the
Directors, with the view of arresting it, are again
compelled to advance the minimum. This absorp-
tion of gold is owing to the speculation in silver,
Which has been increased by the damaud for the
East Indies, and it is fortunate, therefore, that
the requirements of the Bank of France are
comparatively limited, otherwise the stock of
the precious metals would be even more seriously
affected. As it is, however, the aggregate has
gradually diminished since the Bank rate was re-
duced from 7 to 6 per cent., and it cannot now be
ranch above the point at which it stood when the
authorities established the former quotations.
At the half-yearly meeting of the London Life
Association, to-day, the accounts were read and
Passed unanimously.
The pressure for discounts having recently been
Tattier severe, many parties aro prepared for the
addition of per cent. to the present terms. On
the other hand, however, it is thought that these
Purchases of silver will soon be less extensive, and
as affairs in Paris are apparently recovering there
is au expectation in most quarters that the ten-
dency in the terms of discount will be rather in the
contrary direction. To-day there is a full demand
for discounts at previous rates.
The advices from Paris mention that it is gene-
-8313' expected that the Council of the Bank of
France, at their sitting to-morrow, will take into
consideration the propriety of obtaining a complete
alteration in the constitution of the establishment,
Which would involve an increase of its capital from
the present inadequate amount to 250,000,000
francs. This subject has been much canvassed for
several months past, and it is now likely to receive
the full consideration of the Government.
Although business in Public Securities is very
quiet, the quotations are steadily supported. This
morning the variation has not exceeded B per cent.,
and very few transactions have been recorded.
Consols for money are marked 93i and for
account 9,3/ 4. Exchequer Bills have returned to
their recent value, vrz., 2s. discount to 2s. prom.
sank Stock is flat, being 216 to 211. The New
3 per Cents. are 94 to 941, and the Reduced 93/
to 94,

More firmness is apparent in some of the Foreign
Securities, but Turkish 6 per Cents. are at merely
nominal rates, viz., 95 to 951. The 4 per Cents.
for the account are 1031. Spanish 3 per Cents.
have been Russian 4} per Cents. 96i.
Portuguese 3 per Cents. 63k, and Dutch 24 per
Cents. 641.

The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 7 ; Mexi-
ean, 21ff ; Peruvian, 78 i 9 ; ditto 3 per Cents.,
65 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 43 5 ; Russian
6 per Cents., 106 8 ; ditto 4:1- per Cents., 95 7 ;
Spanish 3 per Cents., 40 ; ditto New Deferred,
23i ; ditto Certificates, 5/ 6 ; ditto Passive,
6! 6.

The Railway Share Market has shown very little
animation, and an exceedingly small amount of
business has been transacted. With the exception -
of one or two lines prices have remained steady.
Chester and Holyhead declined 55., Lancashire and
Yorkshire 55., and Midland about ss. In the
French lines no business whatever has been re-
Ported, and tho Canadian are inactive. Geelong
and Melbourne improved about ss.
Joint-stock Bank shares rule dull. Bank of
Australasia have declined 11•1 and Oriental Bank I(
N. 17-Ilion of Australia advanced ss.
Por Miscellaneous shares there is little demand,
and prices are unaltered.

$t ITISII
FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES —THIS DAY.
(From the Officzol List.)
fAng,no.", done
Rank Stock 216 176
a Per Vent- Reduced Annuities 4 8 net. Cent.. Consols Annuities A
91 93 New 8 per Cent. Annuities
Loug Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860_
Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885... 18 1-16
India Stock
220
Consols ?or Account 93i /
Exchequer Bills, 20.
£l000
.E5OO
Small „„
Ditto Bonds, 1858, 36 per Cent.
Ditto, 1659
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY.
Brazilian Fonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto New, 1852, 4. per Cent.
Buenos Ayres'Bonds, 6 per Cent, B4
Guatemala Bonds, 5 per cent 6O
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841
Ditto
1853, 3 per Cent .... "
Russian Bonds, 1X22, St. ..
. 5 per Cent....
Ditto, 4i per Cent. ..... 96i 6 7
Ditto Snr.all ......... . . . : ...................
96
lipaniih Beads, 3 per Cen.t
Turkish Bonds, 6 per cent::
Ditto Guaranteed. 4 per deni,
Venezuela Bonds, 14 per Cent
Ditto Account .................... . ......... .
Ditto Deferred, 16 per Cent. •
...... .
. ...
15
Dividends on the above aayablein Londcn.
French Bootee, 46 per Cent.
Ditto S per Cont
........... Of. e
Dutch Exchange, 26 per Cen.t.., 12 Guilders 64x3- .5425 f. 20c
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols, money
Ditto Account (Februal y 5)...