COMMERCIAL AND MONEY-MARKET REPORT.

THE accounts from all the great manufacturing districts continue to exhibit the most satisfactory pictures of national industrial prosperity. Occasional fluctuations among the several varieties of goods fashioned by manufacturing activity, and by which a temporary dulness with respect to one particular article is occasioned by an extraordinary excitement in the case of some other, will of course be of continued recurrence. But taking a general view of the operative class of society, the demand for labour 'is full to abundance, and seems to baffle even all the appliances which machinery can furnish to modify and control it.

In the Market for Colonial produce, there has lately been considerable animation in the purchase of British Plantation Sugars; it is now found that the late large arrivals so far from gorging the Market, are scarcely adequate to the ordinary demand; and the Grocers as well as the Refiners, who, in anticipation of these arrivals, had been limiting their purchases to their immediate occasions, are coming forward so eagerly, as to have caused an advance of about Is. per cwt., and to make many of the holders hesitate to sell even at that improve

ment.

The present stock of British Plantation Sugars is 26,470 hhds. and trs., being 1900 less than at the corresponding date of last year; the total stock of Mauritius Sugar (East India Dock in-cluded) is 59,430 bags, showing a dimi nution, as compared with last year, of 20,120 bags.

In Mauritius Sugars, the advance has been commensurate with that obtained on the produce of the West Indies, and is supported by a steady demand on the part of the Grocers; in East India, the demand is checked by the indisposition on the part of the holders to give way a little in price; there have, however, been some inquiries for Siam at last sale's prices. The Market for Foreign Sugars is extremely dull, and in the few transactions which have lately taken place, the sellers have been compelled to make a considerable sacrifice.

The present quotations are, for Jamaica, brown to middling, 678. to 69s.; good to fine, 70s. to 73s.; Barbadoes, '698. to 738.; Mauritius, brown, 63s. to 65s.; yellow, 65s. 6d. to 71s. 6d. ; Bengal, yellow, 38s. to 38s. 6d.; white, 39s. to 43s.; Manilla and Java, 28s. to 42s.; Siam and China, 31s. to 40s.; Havan

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nah, brown, 37s. to 39s.; yellow, 40s. to 42s.; white to fine white, 52s. 6d, to 55$. Until the last week, there was a continued steady demand for Refined Sugars both for shipping and for home consumption; latterly, the demand for the Continent has subsided, but the Grocers are ready purchasers at fair prices.

Much business has lately been done in the finer descriptions of West India Molasses: the prices realized have been, for Trinidad, 31s.; Dominica, 34s. to 34s. 6d.; other kinds, 32s. to 348.; for fine Antigua, 35s. has been refused.

There is a continued extensive consumption for British Plantation Coffee, which has occasioned an eager demand on the part of the Grocers for all clean qualities, particularly of good coloury descriptions, but unclean is of very dull sale. Jamaica, middling, and low middling, has realized 91s. to 978. 6d. ; good to fine ordinary, 79s. to 80s.; Demerara, middling, 94s.; Trinidad, good and fine ordinary, 86s. 6d. to 88s. 6d. There is also a good demand for East India Coffee for home consumption, and a moderate one at somewhat easier prices for shipping; good and fine ordinary Ceylon, at the 6d. duty, 75s. 6d. to 778. 6d.; good ordinary Mocha at 67s. 6d. Foreign Coffee has, towards the close of the month, suffered a depression of 1s. to 28.; good ordinary coloury Brazil has sold at 51s. to 52s.; St. Domingo, good ordinary mixed, 52s. 6d., and good 54s.; Bahia, good ordinary mixed pale, 49s. 6d. to 50s.

The demand for Rum, particularly for Leeward Islands, has been very extensive for some time past, and for these, as well as for Jamaica, an advance of Id. per gallon has taken place during the month. Leewards, proof to 3 per cent. over, have sold for 2s. 4d. to 28. 5d., 5 to 8 over, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 7d.; Jamaica, 17 per cent. over, 3s. 10d., 28 to 34 over, 48. 24. to 4s, 5d.; 35 to 38 over, 4s. 6d. to 48. 8d. Very little has been done in Brandy and Geneva.

The public sales of Tea have gone off with much spirit, and at full prices, particularly the better qualities of Congou; ordinary Teas were heavy, and a large portion was taken in; fine Congous fetched fs. 10d. to 2s. 5d.; common, 18. 2d. to 1s. 344.; common Hysons, 28. 9d. to 2s. 11d.

Cotton has regained the former prices which had given way, in some degree, in consequence of the large importa

MONTHLY DIGEST.

GREAT BRITAIN.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.-HOUSE OF LORDS.

June 20.-Lord Ashburton and other Peers urged the importance of im proving the Post-office Establishment, and of the policy of seeking to extend the advantages of the establishment for the benefit of the public, and of not looking to it so sedulously as a source of revenue.

June 23.-Lord Lyndhurst moved the second reading of the Prisoners' Defence by Counsel Bill. His Lordship powerfully illustrated the great injustice and inconsistency in the present state of the law and the practice on this subject, and of the monstrous severity with which it bore upon those placed at the criminal's bar.-Several Noble Lords gave their support to the Bill, which was read a second time.

June 24.-Their Lordships went into Committee on the Scotch Entails Bill. On clause 3 being read, the Earl of Mansfield objected to the clause which allowed the heirs of entail, in possession, the power to grant feus for building, notwithstanding the prohibition in the deeds of entail. The principle was one which he could not agree to, as it would enable the heirs of entail to let land, to increase the 107. constituency; it would also be very injurious to the heirs in succession, and be productive of much inconve nience where a difference of political opinion existed. The Noble Lord concluded by moving that clause 3 be expunged.-The Earl of Roseberry had proposed the clause with the impression that it would produce considerable beneficial effects on the estates of gentlemen of small fortune. The Earl of Devon did not think it a proper clause to be introduced into the Bill, and therefore he should support the motion of his Noble Friend. After a few words from Lord Wharncliffe, the House divided, when there appeared-for the clause, 17; against it, 29; majority, 12.

June 27.-Lord Melbourne brought forward the Commons' alterations of their Lordships' amendments to the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Bill, for the purpsse of inducing the adoption of those alterations. His Lordship said he grieved that their Lordships should have made such extensive changes in the Bill, actually altering its principle as well as its details; and he could not but think that, had the Commons made any similarly extensive and vital alterations in a Bill originating in their Lordships' House, their Lordships would have rejected them. The Commons, in the desire of maintaining a good understanding with their Lordships, had not insisted on their restoration of the whole of their Bill, but they had named some of the Corporations of Ireland, declaring that they could not consent to the entire destruction of the principle of the Bill by the annihilation of Corporations in Ireland-a sentiment in the justness of which he concurred. He moved that the amendments of the Commons be taken into consideration. Lord Lyndhurst entered into an eloquent explanation and vindication of his political career, especially as regarded his conduct on the Catholic claims, and his subsequent proceedings towards Ireland. He confessed that he had acquiesced in the full concession of the Catholic claims, but he must also avow that he had been grievously disappointed by the results. Instead of peace and satisfaction being the effects, the concessions had only given rise to new and extensive agitations, to the undermining and assaulting of all authority, and to the advancing of the most extravagant and threatening demands. With respect to the amendments to the Bill, sanctioned by so large a majority of their Lordships, he for one must adhere to them as requisite to the tranquillity and security of our Protestant Establishments. His Lordship resisted the motion. Earl Grey said he thought that their Lordships had been rather severe towards Ireland. He was most anxious to

promote compromise, and proposed a plan for allowing Corporations to continue, and the voters to have limited influence in returning to the Corporations. The Duke of Wellington resisted the Commons' alterations; he should adhere to the Bill as amended by their Lordships. Lord Melbourne replied, stating that he could not consent to defer this measure, and that he must press forward the Bill, believing it to be just and right. The House then divided. The numbers were-for the motion, 78; against it, 142; majority, 64.

June 30.-Lord Ellenborough presented the Report of the Committee appointed to draw up reasons to be forwarded to the Commons for not agreeing to the restoration of corporate towns, &c., in the Bill regarding Municipal Corporations, Ireland. His Lordship moved that the reasons be adopted. Lord Melbourne said that he did not concur in them, but that he should offer no opposition to the unwise course which he considered the majority of Lords to be pursuing regarding Ireland and this Bill. They were adopted, and at a conference with the Commons, the reasons were delivered.

July 2.-The Bishop of Exeter inquired when the House might expect to have laid on the table a copy of the Report of the Commissioners of Education in Ireland?-The Duke of Leinster said he had written for it, but had not yet received it.

July 4.-The Marquess of Londonderry deferred putting questions on the subject of Spanish affairs, as he had no desire to throw difficulties in the way of the Government. At the same time he hoped that the Government would cautiously observe the situation of the British forces in the Peninsula. -Earl Minto observed that no forbearance from the Noble Lord was required. The British forces in Spain were not placed in any new situation; besides, they were only auxiliaries.

July 7.-The Duke of Richmond presented the second Report of the Select Committee as to the danger that might result from locomotive engines passing through crowded streets and places. The Committee ascertained that there might be great danger from fire, but they did not recommend any particular measure as a remedy; at the same time they entertained the opinion that if the Companies were rendered liable to make good any damage that might result from their engines, that would promote caution, if not security.

July 8.-The Marquess of Westmeath moved for a copy of a petition which had been presented to the Crown, through the Secretary of State for the Home Department, relative to the Church patronage which was now vested in the Crown, the former possessors of it having been Roman Catholics.-Agreed to.

July 11.-The Lord Chancellor moved the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Bill.-The Duke of Wellington objected to the lateness of the period at which so important a measure was brought on; and, with a view to postpone it till another session, moved that it be read a second time that day three weeks.-On a division, the numbers were, for the amendment, 46; for the second reading, 22.

July 12.-Their Lordships received a message from the Commons, re questing a conference on the subject of the amendments in the Corporations Act Amendment Bill. The conference took place, and the reasons offered by the Commons were ordered to be considered. The House then went into Committee on the Tithe Commutation Bill, and several amendments were agreed to.

July 15.-On the motion of the Lord Chancellor, the Order of the Day for taking into consideration the reasons of the House of Commons to the amendments made by their Lordships to the Municipal Act Amendment Bill, was read.-The Lord Chancellor moved that their Lordships do agree Aug.-VOL. XLVII. NO. CLXXXVIII.

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to the first amendments made by the Commons.-Lord Lyndhurst complained of the difficulty of discussing these amendments until they had been printed. After a desultory conversation, Viscount Melbourne suggested that it would be better to have these amendments printed at once. The motion was agreed to.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

June 20.-Mr. G. Price asked Lord Palmerston whether any cartel had been concluded for the exchange of such of his Majesty's forces as might fall into the hands of Don Carlos; his Lordship replied that they would of course be exchanged under the Eliot convention.-The House went into Committee on the Stamp and Excise duties.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed a resolution that the duty on newspapers should be reduced to one penny.-Sir Charles Knightley moved, as an amendment, that certain reductions should be made in the excise duty on soap. The Hon. Baronet said that great benefit would result to the farming interest from the measure he urged, and contended that no real advantage could accrue to the poorer classes from the cheapness of newspapers.-After an extended debate, the question was put upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposition, and carried by a majority of 33, the numbers being, for the original motion, 241; for the amendment, 208.

June 21.-Mr. Hume presented the petition of 34 architects who had been competitors regarding the best design for rebuilding the Houses of Parliament, praying to be heard by Counsel, or for the appointment of competent persons to investigate the grounds of the Commissioners' report, previously to a final decision on the design.

June 22.-The Report of the Metropolitan Suspension Bridge Bill, after some opposition, was received and agreed to, on a division of 109 for it, and 38 against it. Mr. Gully brought forward statements in support of the charges made by Mr. O'Connell against Mr. Hardy, regarding the Pontefract election. The proposition to print a letter of Mr. Hardy's was nega tived, on a division, of Ayes, 97; Noes, 136.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he should press the whole of the Stamp Duties Bill; and that he confidently expected to be able to carry it this Session,

June 23.-Mr. Grote again brought forward his motion for a Bill to provide that the votes at elections be taken by ballot. After a long debate the House divided, when there appeared, for the motion, 88; against it, 139; majority against it, 51.

June 24.-Mr. Maclean asked if the Poor-law Commissioners had the power of preventing the poor from attending divine service on Sundays?Lord J. Russell said that on one occasion they had been let out, and instead of going to church they spread themselves over the country, doing much damage to the public.

June 27.-Lord J. Russell moved that after the 1st of July all Orders of the Day have precedence of Notices of Motions, it being important to have their Bills in the House of Lords before August next. The regulation was adopted.

June 28.-A long debate took place on a motion of Lord G. Lennox, that the Report of the Committee on the Brighton railway should be agreed to. The result was a majority of 101 to 61 in favour of Stephenson's line.

June 29.-On the motion of Mr. Hume the resolutions of the Committee for inquiring into the salaries of the officers of the House were agreed to. June 30.-After the presentation of many petitions, there was a Conference with the Lords. The "Reasons" having been presented and read to the House, Lord J. Russell said, that as these Reasons held out no prospect