The New York herald., 1864-12-04

The shipments of specie amounted to 81, ,0O3, ,00O
OF which the Etna took $749,00O and the Bremen
1854 00o This, added to 1859. 200 shipped by the
Australasian on Wednesday, makes q total for
the week of 81 ,5G2 200.
The stock market showed no change this morn.
ing from the heavy dulness which has been its
most distinctive feature for long time past. Its
general tendency is adverse to a rise,
and only sharp advance in gold gal
vanizes it into transient activity. The speculative
feeling, even among the bookers, is exceedingly
tame, while outside spectators are equally inds.
posed to operate; so the market languishes. The
general impoverishment of railroad companies,
and the dilapdation into which their roads
rAfrfng, OF tnosc repairs which their eager
ness to pay dividends has prevented them from
making. is naturally creating distrust in their
ability to long continue those dividends.
Many lines are rendered unsafe to travel
by from this neglect, and hundreds OF
lives, and hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of property are sacrificed in conse-
quence. From the beginning Of September
to the middle of November last no fewer than
hundred and twenty-five persons were killed and
three hundred and ffty-fve wounded on our princi-
pal railways; and how much OF this was attribu-
table TO the bad condition Of the roads transpired
in the evidence given at the several inquests
which followed.
Moreover the stagnation which to q greater or
less extent prevails in all the departments OF
trade and finance communicates itself to the
Stock Exchange, aud men are indisposed to incur
large risks in view of the uncertain financial
future, many Of them prefcrring to allow their
capital to remain idle. After Congress decides
upon the new course our financial affairs are to
take there will be stronger disposition to make
ventures both in trade and speculation.
At the first board the closing prices showed the
following variations from those at the second
board yestcrday;-Erie declined u: Hudson River,
IA; Reading, sl; Michigan Southern, "a: Illinois
Central, Is; Cleveland and Pittsburg, "a; Chi
cago and Northwestern, "A; preferred "A; Rock
Island. II; Fort Wayne, "a; Cumberland Coal, Il;
Mariposa, "a; Quicksilver, a.
Government securities were firm. Coupon 6's Of
1881 advanced 4as4, coupon ive-twenties de-
clined r. coupon ten-fortics Is, one year certif.
Gates and the new issue offivetwentes were steady
AT the open board, at half.past one, the market
was steady, but inactive, and it remained quiet
during the rest Of the afternoon. There was no
second session Of either board as usual on Satur-
day.
The light demand for money from atock houses
and others on collateras is met at six to seven
per cent, and first class commercial paper is dis
counted at from eight 10 ten.
The foreign exchange market is dull at former
rates namely, 1927 = for bankers sterling, at
sixty days, and ll09. at three days
The petroleum new company bubble, which was
hrs' blown in Philadelphia, is not being inflated
win much vigor there at present, and some of the
stocks are being trauslerred 10 this city md ma.
raded ostentatiously before the public eye. A
few OF these may be profitable investments, but
the majority are mere speculations, and il very
frequently hippens that the greater the puff the
less oil there is, and the public will do well TO be
on their guard and not mistake naptha for olive
speak sguratiyey-in their choice Of companies.
The returns of the Bank Of England for tho week
ending November 10 compare with the statement