The Portland daily press., 1882-05-19
DOWN TOWN.
Financial = store Windows : American
Produce in England

In Boston yesterday there was an increasing
demand for money, and the rates of interest
were frmer if not quotably higher. Mercan-
tile paper to regular customers was nominally
8 to 81 per cent. but there was very little dis
counted under 81 per cent, while others have
to pay 6. Call loans on collaterals were Al to
per cent Outside rates were 81 to per
cent per annum. Foreign exchange was
steady. Governments were unchanged.
A store window affords fine opportunity
for art study. A keen observer of men and
things, vino had travelled much, remarked to
the writer once that to him the chief attrac-
ton of certain city was the store windows.
They were constant delight to the eye and re-
vealed at glance the whole resources of their
respective establishments. He did not need
to enter the doors; the displays in the windows
showed him everything, and he could judge at
once whether or not he could please his taste at
the counters There are some very pretty store
windows in Portland, which catch the eye and
arrest the steps of the pedestrian. They are
real pictures in which form and color are
charmingly blended and the accessories OF art
so managed that one cannot but admire. This
art should be more carefully cultivated, as a
qualification of the popular love for the beauti-
full and a material help to purchaser and deal
er. Goods well bought, they say, are half
sold, and we may add, if well shown they are
the quicker sold. We know New England
city when the art of display in store windows
has almost reached perfection and permeates
yearly every class of business that occupies
shops Even the windows of the brokers otfi-
ces are made tempting by piles OF coin on
background of bonds; and prosaic newspaper
offices rival each other in the display of relics
and curiosities. The crowds that collect in
front of some of the great rival establishments
in the larger cities, taxing the energies OF the
policemen to keep the way open for travel,
show the attractiveness of the window art
Variety, too, should be considered. The pub
lie attention must be kept alive by frequent
changes in the display. Something new
should be shown every day, if possible, and
an entire revolution made at short intervals.
This is pretty well understood by many success
full establishments, where, often, extra
salaries are paid to statesmen who
combine the art of selling with
skill for artistic adornment. A fine window is
a powerful element of success. and in these
days of competition in trade no legitimate
means for attracting public attention can be
neglected
The exports of domestic provisions, tallow
and dairy products from Portland for the
month of April were S19,1 S0, against $685. 51
for the same month in 1884, and 1852, 452 for
the four months ended on the 30th of April,
against 1901, 425 for the same months last year.
For the six months ending on the same date
in 1882, the amount was 1912, 6S5, for the same
months in 1881, the total was 81, 100,4S2
Mr.. Edward Whitworth Of Liverpool, Eng.,
a very large receiver of American produce, is
now in this country, and in speaking of the fu-
ture of American products, on Monday, said
that though the high cost of produce had
somewhat curtailed his business during the
winter, he expects good market in England
for American beef, pork, butter and cheese
the coming season If prices are kept within
reasonable limits on this side. He handles
much of the bacon sent from this country to
England, and says that the demand abroad for
American beef and hog products is steadily in
creasing. American butter meets with favor,
but only the best quality is wanted. The Eng.
lish market is well supplied With cheap
grades from the continent, where large
quantity of substitutes are produced. But in
order to compete with the best grades of such
butter, American creamery should not cost
here above % cents per pound. On this basis,
he can find ready sale for large consign-
ments during the summer. American cheese
has gained strong hold on the English peo-
pie, and has become one of their favorite arti-
Giles of food. When he left England there was
a promise of good crops. which, no doubt,
would be stimulated by the high prices OF last
season, but there will still be large deficiency
to supply, and American food staples will al
ways find good market if put at prices within
the reach of the masses.
Cold enough yesterday to winter-kill cir
cus