The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-24

mnnerative pricea. Amongst these, VelVete,
| velveteeDs and fusllans may be tnstanced.
And perhaps the explanation of their excep.
tional position, as well as that of some other
descriptions, may be found In the fact that
| they are for the most part consumed In the
colder and more temperate climates, where
| the pecuniary condition OF the mass OF the
population has been better than In tropical
countries.
The home trade has, on the whole, proved
the most satisfactory section of the market,
probably owing to the unriValled activity Of
the metal trades and the active demand for
almost every description of handicraft or man
ufacturing product, which has provided an
abundance of employment for all grades of
skilled and uDskilled labor, and ths pecuni-
ary condition of the mass of the population
has thereby been greatly improved. Tne
very high prices of wool and of woollen goods
have also, without doubt, aided the consump-
lion of cotton goods.
The great Aslatic markets have throughout
the year remained In one unbroken and ap-
parently irretrleVable condition Of inactivity.
The China ports, besides being over-suppled
last year, have had to deal with population
suffering In some sections from Losses by
floods, and in others from dear food. Hence
a considerable part of the production was d.
verted 10 India, which also, though not to the
same extent as China, was exerienclng high
prices for grain.
One OF the principal causes tending to
diminish the consuming power of India has
been the extended use of the Snez Canal
route, by which the stocks of goods formerly
existing In transit round the Cape of Good
Hope have virtually been forced into con.
sumption. 1t has been frequent subject of
congratulation on 'Cbange during the past
few months that houses engaged in the india
business have been so well enabled 10 bear up
against the bad state OF their trade. 1t should
be remembered, however, that the vast ac-
celeration In the traffic to India has really
made that trade much safer one than 1t was
the amount of goods ln transit being greatly
reduced, aud the risks from falling markets
being 10 that extent lessened.
Inc Levant markets have perhaps more
than any other shown an improving tendency
with the progress of the past year. The fact
Is partly explained by the pleasing return OF
prosperity 10 Persia, which for three years
previously suffered from succession of most
severe famines. Not only The food crop, but
the out-lurn Of silk, the chief article of export,
was failure, and The consumption Of cloth
Ing was, under such circumstances, out of the
question. This year, however, both food and
silk crops were good, and trade Is being ac-
lively resumed. Similar causes In mittga.
ted form 10 which was added the Interrupt
ton caused by the Franco-German war, have
given check 10 the consumption of manu-
laclures In Syria and other parts of Turkey.
But there, too, q brighter state OF things has
returned, aud the Levant market has now re-
snmed Its old position as one Of frst-rate I'm
Importance.
The various markets In South America have
almost Without exception taken CT large
amount of goods, on the whole SURPRISING
any former year. The abundant demand for
its raw produce In Europe has led to an Indus
trial awakening in South America that bids
lalr to end In important results. Railways,
roads, telegraphs, and other means of devel-
oplng the resources of the soil are being con-
sructed, and can hardly fail to lead In time to
an extension of trade, Of which due share
will fall on Manchester.
The state OF the colonial markets and Of
those Of the United States call for no special
remark. In common with the communities
of Europe. the populations of these countries
have been In active employment. and their
consumption Of British cotton manufactures
has been to full average extent. The conli-
nent has, indeed-thanks to the gaps left In
stocks by the Franco-Germau war and to the
REORGANIZATION OF industry occasioned by 1t
drawn very abundant supply from this coun-
try. But this Is source OF demand that can
hardly be relied upon In the future.
1t will be gathered from the details Of this
brlet sketch that some Of the larger markets
have presented condition which ought TO
have had a strong Influence for good on The
trade of this district. In searching again for
the most weighiy forces which have served to
neutralize this Influence, we are driven to find
them first In the very high prices ruling for
raw cotton, and secondly In the Inactive con-
dition Of the great eastern markets of India
and China. And 1t is In one or both OF these
directions that we must look tor the signs OF
more prosperous state of the trade In the cot
ton manufacturing districts OF this country.