The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-21 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE,

MANettanza.—There has been no improvement whatever
in our market during the last three days. On the contrary, the
deplorable condition of monetary affairs in France, and the
continued failures of bankers, both there and in the commer-
cial cities of Germany and Holland, have thrown a deeper
gloom over every branch of the foreign trade of this district.
OR Wednesday evening considerable excitement was produced
here by a telegraphic announcement of the failure of the great
firm of Rothschild and Co., of Paris. This report afterwards
proved to be unfounded; but we learn that Messrs. Rothschild
and Co., of London, have declined accepting bills drawn upon
them by their correspondents on the continent, and even by-
their own agent at New York ; their object being, of course, to
avoid incurring any additional liabilities under the present
alarming condition of monetary affairs throughout Europe. We
have heard of several bills on the firm which have been returned
unaccepted to merchants here; the parties being requested to
call again in a few days. Of course, these occurrences are cal-
culated to check any disposition to make purchases for the
continental market. ; and we fear that some time must neces-
sarily elapse before there can be such a renewal of confidence
as will place the trade upon a satisfactory footing. As may be
readily supposed, under these untoward circumstances, the de-
mand for goods and yarn has been on the most limited scale,
and prices are still generally tending downwards. There is,
however, we understand, a little more business doing in the
home trade. A fair number of buyers have made their appear-
ance in the market; and, though their purchases are on an
unusually limited scale, it is quite certain that they are devoid
of stocks; and that, whatever may be the demand for con-
sumption, it must be supvlied from hence. There is, therefore,
a fair prospect of steady if not an extensivedemand for those
fabrics which are generally required for domestic consumption.
LEEDS.—We have still to report our staple trade to be in a
dull state. Both the public markets and the warehouses this
week have been visited by very few buyers. Prices are without
alteration.
HRADFORD.—WOOI : The unsettled state of things in France
appears to have its effect in depressing the spirits of the spin-
ners, as their purchases are particularly limited ; yet, notwith-
standing this, there is no giving way in price to meet the buy-
ers, who one and all say the current rates are far too high to
induce more business. Yarns : The same state of things con-
tinues in this branch of the trade, and the stocks are nearly out •
of the market. Still, till the export houses are more active, an
advance cannot be established. Pieces: There is no marked
difference in our market for pieces this week.
HUDDERSFIELD.—There has been an improvement in to-
day's market, and more inquiri es than there have been for som e
time past. Prices are firm, awl some descriptions of desirable
goods suitable ror spring rather scarce.
HA LI FAX.—We have again had a very dull market, and only
a very small amount of business done. Yarns are much the
same as they have been for some time back. In wool we have
no alteration to notice.

ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET.—There W 93 a large quantity
of flannels in the market this week, but business was dull ;
persons would only purchase small lots, at prices much the
same as last week. There has been no alteration in the wool
market since last week, either in demand or prices.
LEICESTER.—Business, in the warehouses, still continues in
the same inactive state as last reported; and, although both
worsted and cotton goods are lower in price than they have
been for some time past, there is not sufficient confidence in
the market to induce making on speculation. The mercantile '
failures on the continent still continue ; and until the moneyed
interest, both here and abroad, are fully assured that the basis
of the French government is firmly established, and continued
peace likely to be the result, they will keep their cash in their
coffers. Worsted yarns remain nominally the same ; but what.
sales are forced, arc done at extreme low prices. The wool
trade is flat, without alteration in price.
NOrrl tin At.—Lace Trade: There has been but little ani-
mation, though many small purchases have been made since
our last report. 'Stone amount of preparation continues for the
Leipsic fair, but in no degree equal to the usual bustle at this
period in ordinary years. The events transpiring in Germany
,cannot but produce some anxiety and interruption to trade,
which naturally reaches this as well as other. markets
.; never-
theless, we are happy to note the tone of confidence in which
well-informed parties speak of the improbability of serious
disturbance of tranquillity in the states of Germany. This is
very reassuring as to the future. From the North American
Union, the accounts, and' consequent anticipations of revived
trade, • are very cheering. Hosiery During the past week, •
our home markets have shows a more business-like appear-
ance, and from extensive inquiries, we learn there has been
generally an improved demand for many descriptions of goods;
still the gloomy state of affairs abroad, and the effect they are
likely to produce upon our own monetary matters, together
with symptoms of a downward tendency of many sorts of
goods, exercise a very depressing influence over the whole
trade; no very satisfactory improvement can be relied upon,
until we have a return to greater confidence both in the politi-
cal and commercial world.
' GLAsoow.--The greatest dulness has' prevailed this week, in
every department of business, and no other cause can be as-
signed for this retrogatory symptom, than the general derange-
ment in commercial affairs which the French revolution has
produced throughout Europe. Buyers for the Mediterranean
and Levant,whose purchases forthe last four months have been
of some consequence to our manufacturers, continue quite in-
active, and will, in all probability, decline renewing their oper-
ations until a favourable change occurs in the general aspect of
political affairs. In cotton wool,transaetions continnefew and
meagre. Spinners take only what they require for present use,
and complain that unless prices of yarns revive immediately,
their production 'mist be further contracted. With the excep-
tion of a few jacouets, there seems to be little or no demand for
grey cloths. and, on the whole, our factory production is on the
decline. There is, nevertheless, no attempt to force goods on
the market, nor. are there any surmises of fresh mercantile
misfortunes; but the feeling on 'Change is more gloomy than
it has been for some time, and it is painful to reflect that, in

such circumstances, the condition of the operative clasies,
already aggravated by protracted poverty, must become worse.
Tux I RON THA nE.--Notwithstandingthe general stagnation

men has so long unfortunately existed in the iron trade, it is
to be hoped that a reaction is about taking place, and that as ;
0 the spring advances the furnaces will be in full activity. In
3 the hope of this better state of things, some of the toasters arc
4 in some degree preparing themselves for orders. We under. 2 stand that at the Capontield furnaces of Messrs. llagnall and I

sons, nearlston. and under the management of Mr. W.
Aturrall, the make of iron during the fortnight ended March,
the 3rd instant, was 945 tons from three furnaces, or 1574 tons;
for each furuace per week. The furnaces Komi idle, twenty-
eiiht-hOura tint-of the fortnight:" Welt-11-st another month will f
show considerable actiyity in the trade,