The New York herald., 1872-12-23

Cotton Quiet and Stcady-Receiptsa at the
Ports, 12,6l1 Balcs-Flour Tirm-Wheat
and Corn Unchanged-Oats Easy-Pro-
visions Were Dull-Groeeries Quiet
Petroleum Dull and Nominal-Naval
Stores Firm-Whislkey Easier.
-# SATURDAY, Dec 21-6 P. M.
As the holiday season approaches there Is mani
fest on every hand disposition to postpone CON-
mercial transactions whenever it can be done,
hence we are greeted on every hand by the same
story, ''The market Is quiet but steady" and this
Is all but universal, for while the demand for mer-
chandiss is limited to the most urgent require
ments the markets maintain that steady tone by
which they have for the most part been character
lied all through the Fall season. There Is no mani
fest disposition to force saes hence we notice an
almost entire absence Of that urgent desire
to realize which SO often Ia but the
prelude to radical decline In values-the harbin-
ger of mercantile chaos. The commercial outlook
at this season has seldom been more satisfactory
than at the present writing, for though the mar
kets are quiet, they are not unusually SO; for this
is the dnllest season, perhaps, OF The whole yevr.
This is the season when the prudent merchant Is
wont to cast up his accounts, strike his balances,
and ascertain just how and where he stands, and
what are mis- chances for the succeeding year.
Hence an active prosecution OF business at this
season is well nigh an imp0ssbihty; and II we find
an active movement in any particular branch Of
trade it.is an exception to the general rule Of
guietude which pyoverbially obtains throughout
trade circles at this season OF the year.
The past week has been o week Of extreme
quietude in most departments, and to-day (satur
day. there was no change in the general turn of
the markets, If we may except an increased firm
ness in the market for wheat and few other
commodities Cotton was dull, but unchanged.
Flour wanted TO some extent for shipment, and the
market showed strength in consequence. The
same remarks apply with equal force to wheat, prime
qualities Of which generally held above the views
OF buyers. Corn and oats were duh and nominal.
Whiskey which up to 81 per gallon during the
week, dropped to 97c., and closed quiet Pork
ruled dull, but pretty firm, until the last
two days of the week. when there was quite a
break in prices particularly future delivery. The
has circumscribed business very
nsn snd e ssh 's
s e e e Sers sOme e @
Groceries have been quiet throughout the past week but
es the s gpsS T a%
caaryP rcned which re%aned ed entirely
Crude dealt in to considerable extent and cosed
improving and closed today rather rmer for spirits
corrrs.Tnere has been considerable business in Rio
~ bat hsr mere e IT. S @
iSsc. Sc. We quote :--Ro- Ordinary csrgocs i5ssc
1s sssseso s09s ssrsGss
bags sSe AZ C 40; aS0 Ss gEsss Rsts ry Tc
16zc Maracabo 16c. I6iic Laguayra, l5sc.
Jamaica, lac. l6c ST. Domingo, lsc. l34c, gold, 70
| to 60 DAYS.
CoTToN.-The market for cotton on the spot in the
main DUH without essential change III the quotations
line OF 206 bales was disposed OF at price close to
quotations trife above Ii anything. Future deliveries
ruled about steady, with moderate demand. The sales
sum up as follows:- -
| To-Day. Last Erening. Total
| Export ............,.,,....... = 3R S92
! CONSUMPTION. ................ 2,227 IFS 2,405
/ Total tal......,..,......,...,.. 22H $40 2,7T
For future delivery oasis low nddling the sales have
been follows sales last evenng after three O'Clock