The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-02-15 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MA NCH ESTER.—Since Tuesday, there has been a little more
demand for some descriptions of cloth, and a small advance
has been obtained on the lower qualities of printing cloth, and
one or two other articles ; but, generally speaking, prices re-
main unchanged, though, in the present state of the cotton
market, manufacturers are by no means willing sellers at the
rates recently current. We learn that some rather considerable
purchases of the lower qualities of shirtings have been made
for India, and some to a smaller extent of the better class of
shirtings for China; but the stocks of these goods are too heavy
to enable the manufacturers to obtain an advance. The pur-
chases of yarn for India have also been considerable, and an
advance of a halfpenny per pound has been obtained over the
very low rates which we mentioned two or three weeks ago.
Little or nothing, however, has been done by the German buy-
ers ; and the foreign yarn trade is, on the whole, in a very tor-
pid andnnsatisfactory state. This, coupled with the continued
advance in cotton, which is again, quoted a farthing higher
during the week, seems to have put the finishing blow to the
hopes of a speedy amendment ; and several very extensive
concerns in this town have been, or will immediately be, en-
tirely stopped. Production is also being considerably lessened
in the surrounding district ; and the holders of cotton will pro-
bably find that, small as are the stock and the imports, they
will prove quite sufficient for the consumption.
LEEDS.—The attendance of purchasers, both at our public
markets and at the warehouses this week, has been pretty good,
considering the depression which has for a.considerable time
prevailed in almost all branches of commerce. No very large
amount of goods has been purchased, but.as the weather hn-
proves both home and foreign orders may be expected.
BRA DFO RD.—WOOI : The transactions during the week have
been limited, and no disposition evinced by the buyers to ex-
tend their operations, nor is there any pressing sales, the prices
current in the,country are too high to meet this market. Toils
and Brokes continue without any change in price, with no stock
on hand. Yarn: The long continued absence of shippers from
the market, and the removal of the yarns to the consumers as
they have been produced, indicates strongly that so soon es the
rivers are open more activity may be looked for. There is
more doing for the mouslin de lame trade, also for Scotland ;
and on the whole, there is a better feeling in the market.
Pieces : There have been a great many lookers at our market
to-day (Thursday), and a feeling prevails that the worst is past;
and although we cannot report any decided improvement,
certainly the business doing has been an average of several
weeks past.
ROCHDALE FLANNEL MA RK ET.—Although the weather was
unfavourable on Monday, we had more persons in the flannel
market than at any market of the same sort held this year.
The middle qualities of grey goods were much inquired after,
and many flannels were disposed of. Fine goods have been
rather dull for some weeks past, but to-day there has been a
better demand. Dyed flannels and strong Yorkshire goods re-
main dull. The pnces of all sorts of flannel pieces remain firm
and without alteration. Foreign wool is same as last week,
uoth in demand and in prices, but brokes and skins were
scarce, and prices, in some instances, rather higher. There is
every appearance of a better trade in the flannel business.
LEICESTER.—There is but little appearance of any revival of
business in the warehouses, and, though some sales have been
effected by one or two houses, it has not led to further employ.
ment of the operatives to any extent. The general impression
is, that goods have seen their lowest point; and, as the spring
advances, a fair trade is expected. There
is a mere trifle doing
in low cotton hose. Worsted yarhs continue flat. Wool re-
mains steady.
NOTTINGDA AL —Lace ; We have to report a somewhat im-
proved state both in the home and foreign trade. We have par-
ticular pleasure in noticing the re-appearance of a ntltnberof
buyers for home trade, as this is the surest sign of an improved
feeling. The orders for the foreign trade increase as the sea-
son vances ; but they will be somewhat later this time,
owing to the frost having interrupted all navigation, and the
continental fair being unusually late this year. From all we
can learn, we may expect, during this year, a smaller, but we
trust, better trade; the stocks are unusually small, and good
designs find ready purchasers. It is gratifying to observe, that
inelegant patterns are seldom met with, and that our lace
makers now see the necessity of studying the tastes and wants
of the times before they produce new patterns. Formerly, the
very reverse prevailed, the markets being glutted with things
unsaleable in the best of times. Hosiery : We have again a
very unsatisfactory report to give of our home markets. The
spring trade progresses but slowly, and for the season of the
year, many branches of the trade may be spoken of as in avery
stagnant state. Still we are in hopes that the present fine wea-
ther will tend to give an impetus to some considerable portion
of our trade; although, for the present, it must be expected
that both factors and manufacturers will act with the greatest
caution, and only purchase or make for immediate wants.