The New York herald., 1879-12-29
FINANCIAL and COMMERCIAL
The Stock Market During
Christmas Week.
FACTS AND FIGURES.
WALL STREET.

SUNDAY, Dec. 2e loI9.l
The half holiday Of Christmas Eve and the whole
holiday of Christmas Day took large slice out OF
The weeks working hours that what left was of
fraementary description. unatractve to the specua
tive palate of either public" professionals.
While brokers' as a rule favor holidays. there is an
exceptional percentage that deplores any interrup-
tion to the daily gamble They would fain eat their
,e and have their pe." if such were possible. but
we're they pushed to o choice would give up the ho
~. 1t is q cheerful sign Of the times to perceive
tnat this feeling has little or no existence
during the present festive season. The incainar
tion has been rather to spread tho hoh-
day over the entire week. though IL
should make duh work OF business and
leave quotations almost at staudstill.
This In effect. is what it did do. Except for
sional flashes of activity the market remained in
the shade the week through The extreme differ
in prices were limited to less than per cent
except In few special instances-and the aggregate
of daily transactions was reduced to dead season
standard The stringency Of money had
more to do with the changes in stock values than
tho manipulation OF spectators. Loanable funds
something moro than in good demand the
week through. the average rate being to per
cent, with occasional rise to 132 and l16. though
these latter "shaves were apparently attributable
with malice prepense to the tonsoral Efforts or the
bear party. The effect was to weaken prices.
not 80 much because money was in sharp
demand, but because fears wero entertained
that it might become ruinously dear. Tho
natural stringency to be expected ut this season.
growing out of the annual settling up of accounts
and the accumulations made necessary against the
January disbursements, has been aggravated by the
continuous large shipments Of currency to the
West to be used either for carrying wheat or in
settlement of contracts daily falling duo. 1t is
ported that four to i've millions have been or will
be forwarded for the latter purpose within the COM
pass OF a few days. All these circumstances had .
depressing influence upon holders Of stocks. who.
in the absence of more formidable reasons. regard
ceptble change for tho better took place
Saturday however. when 1t was learned that
the government would commence Monday
to prepay its interest due January /.
It was apparent that relief to the loan market must
speedily follow this disbursement, and its effect upon
the stock market quickly perceptibe. From .
state of sluggish weakness prices grew strong and
advanced steadily. though moderately. the day
through. There was nevertheless. lack OF excite
ment and no approach to scramble for shares. the
general impression being that the holidays must be
got well and the financial field be well irrigated
by the outpour from the various moneyed institu-
tions before the market be made bear fruit in
the shape of fresh advance
The total sales at the Board during the week were
DIS shares against 900 for the week ending
December 2o Following is an cpitome Of the weeks