Wilmington journal., 1863-03-05
r Alex ST,runt aim.


| i l. PHILADELPHIA "Press" OF recent date has the
fy 7vIng comments upon the enormously high prices
/ la ortner seasons the ladies grumbled at paying
twelve and half cents per yard for bleached mnslins
but they willingly take it at thlrtyseven and half
and the may be said n reference to all cot
goods. 10 musins, such choice brands the IT,
Mis-, LonsdaIe, w Wamsutta, Wiamsvle and scores
OF oilers equally good that wera formerly offered for
twelve and half cents are now eagerly sought at thir
tyseytn and aaf cents Cotton sheetings, two and
halt yards wide bringing seventyfve to eighty five
cents per yard and pillow casing 10 the ratio
Cotton hannes dtilDgs and ticklDgs, are held still
higher, owing to tbs large proportion OF material con-
sume in their production ard it 10 the cost OF material
not oa OF manufacturing that is BOW making Itself felt
on the market.
Table damaek by the yard, such formerly sold
for dollar, is worth dollar and ffty cents
Linen sheetngs, pillow castings, towellings napkins, &c.
have advanced in the proportion, and if admitted
under the present tariff and paid tor at the present rate
of exchange must go much higher. Shlrtng linens that
offered year ago for fifty cents Pr yard are
Sen at sevenyhve, aud hne linens, suitable for
adies wear, ditto. Cotton goods have bad monopoly
IN miles for years past, and suppose they
will hold il but just now they are giving way slightly
to manufactured from fax. because the latter
are not n,uch more expensive and are great deal more
durable. There time when it was considered
ra hec mean to cotton Shirts cotton sheet
logs, &c., and the prejudice against cotton still
exists ii the rdant bosous Of some od-fashioned
folks, hut GRADUALLY dying out, and the Soathern
sa lie is daily acquiring stronger claims to its royal
title. II the war continues much longer, we need not
be snFrised at seeing the best brands OF cotton shirt
ings ling for fifty CENTS and upwards, and, were
tie struggle to have az early termination articles
iaCtured OF cotton W.: not be likely to tall to the
Old prices for a few years
The crop produce3 on Southern plantations snce the
toe is not large one, the stock
on the tat is o. the manufacturers and brokers two
years ago is almost exhausted the manufacturing and
word is crying ou ior fresh supply and
until matters resume the old routine, and for some
months after, there will not much decline in articles
manufactured wholly in pnrt Of the great Southern
staple.
Even spool cotton an article O: trlfing Importance,
is true, that formerly sold at four cents is
en- and cannot be- proitably produced at the
after price.
In dress goois the prospect-of large sor tment
md variety OF style--the ideal of qualification |
With ladies of shopping propeEsities-is not encour
ging.
The Cemand for silks Rss been unprecedentedly large
lGrrg the winter and OF the present season. when
;oahts are supposed to be enyaged taking stock,
hey fad that the unusIaL activity among those who
wish 10 inv ST their surplus funds in fashionable
fashionable dresses, inteTieres materially, but not
,leasautly, with their arrangements
At DO time in the past ten years greater ac-
vty notices ole in the retail stres between the
hau presentN We have heard ladies say, when ask
ID why they TO purchase at this early stage
II the season. ha they have the money and that they
2Teer making ID cir purchases now to running the risk
It having to pay sdyaLc3 of so per cent month
ence And they right, no doubt, for we are as
ured by first class horty tn { the advance will be
reater than the pnopIc--that is she shoppers -
upp0e.