The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-04 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE,

MANCHESTER.—We are glad to be enabled to state, that,
since yesterday week, there has been a very palpable improve-
ment in our market, both as regards yarn and goods, and an
extensive business has been done—in some few cases at a
trifling advance, especially in fine 27-inch printing cloth, and
in yarns suitable for the East India market—but, generally
at the prices of yesterday week. The purchases for the East
Indies, which have been to a considerable extent, are, we
presume, chiefly speculative, in anticipation of favourable
advices by the overland mail, now nearly due ; and the im-
provement in goods may be ascribed, in a great degree, to the
accounts brought by the President of the improving state of
business in America. On the whole, though prices continue
miserably low, there was a more cheerful and buoyant feeling
in the market yesterday than has been experienced for some
months past ; and a gradual and steady improvement ap-
peared to be confidently anticipated.
ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, Nov. 30.—We
have had a rather brisk demand for goods to-day, especially
for the coarser kinds of flannels ; but there is no improvement
in prices. In the•wool market there is no change, either in
demand or price.

HUDDERSFIELD MARKET, TUESDAY, DEC. I.—Contrary
to expectation, we have to report a somewhat animated mar-
ket to-day. Some heavy sales were made in woollens for
shipping, and the demand for the home trade was tolerable.
The news brought by the President, and other arrivals from
America, has had a favourable effect. Prices are firmer, both
in the raw material and manufactured goods. Little change
for the better has taken place in the warehouses, which are
generally slack of business ; and while some mills are full of
work, others are doing very little.—Manchester Guardian.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL MISCELLANY

There are no less than 850 persons in the lazaretto of
Malta. Among them was an old Maltese woman, 107 years
of age, who had resided for the last 26 years in Egypt. The
first secretary of the governor had visited the Emir Bechir in
the lazaretto. The latter would, it was thought be allowed to
proceed wherei7 he pleased, except to Spria, after termina-
ting his quarantine. He is now in the 80th yaar of his age,
and is accompanied by a young wife. On the 14th he left
the lazaretto with his family and suite.

A bonnet is now exhibiting at the institute, in Niblo's
garden, New York, made of melon seed. It contains 8763
seeds, and 17,776 stitches, each taken with a needle. This
is a monument of both patience and industry.

FLUSHING, Nov. 20.—T0-day trials have been made by
his majesty's command, in our road, by Captain Gobins, of
the artillery, of an instrument invented by him, and which
possesses the remarkable property of increasing the firing of
our men of war, in comparison with that of other nations,
five or six-fold. We hear that these trials are highly satis-
factory.

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE AT ZANTE.—ZANTE, Nov. 23,
1840.—This island has been afflicted by one of those visi-
tations to which it is unfortunately subjected every twenty or
twenty-five years. On the 30th ult., Friday last, a most
violent shock of an earthquake was felt throughout the island,
and for some distance at sea. The poor inhabitants rushed
from their trembling houses to the streets for safety ; but
there was none, for the tiles and stones threatened destruc-
tion to all. After a few seconds the shock ceased; and, so
on as the first panic had subsided, it was found that the
damage done to the town was greater than in any preceding
shock since 1775. All the houses have suffered, many are
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destroyed, the earth having in one part opened into a formid-
able chasm. A few hours after the shock, Sir Howard
Douglas arrived here on a visit from Corfu ; and the effect
of the shock on board the steamer was that of a sudden stop-
ping of the engines ; immediately the commander of the
steamer declared it to be an earthquake, and Zante was seen
from the vessel to be covered with a dense cloud of dust.
On nearing the island, masses of the hills were seen to have
fallen into the sea; and, as they approached the town, the
damage to the town became apparent. His excellency im-
mediately landed at the resident's house, which was so
destroyed as to be untenantable, and lost no time in pro-
ceeding through the streets-to view the extent of the damage,
and to give orders to the police to prevent persons passing
the houses which were in danger of falling. Sir Howard
immediately placed at the disposal of the municipal council
a sum of ten thousand dollars, to afford relief where most
needed, and dispatched the lonian, steamer, to Corfu for
workmen to assist in repairing the houses. The anxiety
shown by Sir Howard to give aid in these distressing circum-
stances proves his devotion
to the welfare of the lonians.
The fortress has suffered very much, and the quarters of the
troops must be nearly rebuilt. Fortunately the weather was
fine, and the earthquake took place in the day-time, otherwise
the loss of life would have been great; as it is, ten persons
have fallen victims to this visitation. The damage is calcu-
lated at a million dollars, (.£200,000. We have bad frequent
shocks since, Indeed, daily shocks, but none of any great
violence.

The late Bishop of Meath died immensely rich. The pro.
perty he has left amounts to several hundred thousand pounds.
—Limerick Chronicle.