PERRY & CO.'S ILLUSTRATED PRICE CURRENT. LEGAL NEWS. A LE MOUSSU v. LEITCH.-The plaintiff, a draughtsman, sued in the City of London Court, before Mr. Besley, Deputy Judge, for £3 11s. 3d., balance of an account of £6 5s. 6d., for drawings for engraving. The cause was heard before a jury, to whom it had been referred some time ago. The defence, in effect, was that the charges had been excessive, being beyond 6d. per inch, which was to have been paid by contract. bill was put in, showing that £2 14s. 3d. had been paid to plaintiff. It was submitted that this was in discharge of the whole claim. The defendant paid 7s. 6d. into court, as he had been able to use a drawing which had been thought to be useless. Mr. Coote conducted the case for the defendants, for whom Mr. Skerrey, one of the defendants, was called, as well as Mr. Kettell, the manager. The jury found for the plaintiff for the amount of his claim, in addition to the amount paid into court. THE EXPLOSIVES ACT.-A late order in Council to carry out the Explosives Act divides explosives into seven classes as follows: Gunpowder, nitrate mixture, nitro compound, chlorate mixture, fulminate, ammunition, firework; and declares that when an explosive falls within the description of more than one class it shall be deemed to belong exclusively to the latest of the classes within the description of which it falls. The term "gunpowder" is to mean exclusively gunpowder ordinarily so called. The order minutely specifies what articles are to come within the various classes, some of which have The term divisions to show what are comprised in each. firework" is to comprise both firework composition and manufactured fireworks. THE NEW LAW ON TRADE MARKS.-During the recent session an act was passed to establish a register of trade marks under the superintendence of the Commissioners of Patents, and from and after the 1st of July next, a person is not to be entitled to institute any proceeding to prevent the infringement of any trade marks, as defined by the act, until and unless such trade mark is registered. An office is to be established, not later than the 1st of January next, in such manner and with such officers and at such salaries, to be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament, as the Lord Chancellor may, with the consent of the Treasury, direct, and the Lord Chancellor may, from time to time, with the assent of the Treasury as to fees, make, and when made, alter, annul, or vary such general rules as to the registry of trade marks and as to notice to be given by advertisement before the registration, and as to the classification of goods for the purposes of the act, and as to the registration of first and subsequent proprietors, and as to other matters deemed necessary to carry into effect the new law. A trade mark is to consist of the name of an individual or firm, printed, impressed, or woven in some particular and distinctive manner, or a written signature or copy of an individual or firm, or a distinctive device, mark, heading, label, or ticket. trade mark must be registered as belonging to particular goods or classes of goods, and when registered is to be assigned and transmitted only in connection with the goodwill of the business concerned in such particular goods or classes of goods, and be determinable with such goodwill; but, as stated, the registration of a trade mark is to be deemed to be equivalent to the public use of such mark. The register may be rectified, and a certificate of the registrar is to be evidence. There are eleven provisions in the act, and the general rules to be made will simplify the mode of procedure as to trade marks. A THE LAW RESPECTING OATHS:-At the Salford Hundred Quarter Sessions, Mr. W. H. Higgin, Q.C., presiding, the following conversation took place:-Mr. Samuel Alexander, a surgeon, practising at Oldham, who was called as a witness in a wounding case, stated, on entering the witness-box, that he did not object to take an oath, but he did object to kiss the book. Mr. Wilson (clerk)-Why? What are you? Witness Mr. Wilson-Have you a I am a Scotch Presbyterian. conscientious objection to kissing the book? Witness-I have; and by the statute I and 2 Vic., cap. 105, Presbyterians are specially exempted from kissing the book, or indeed any other ceremony. The Chairman-I must say that this case is something new to me. Let me see the statute the gentleman refers to-I and 2 Vic., cap. 105. It decreed that it was optional with a juryman, witness, or other person to take an oath in such form as he considered binding upon his conscience. The Chairman (after reading the clause) said to witness-I do not think you are wrong, but I don't see what objection you can have to kiss the book. Still you object to the ceremony? Witness-I do. Mr. Alexander then took the usual oath, with the exception of kissing the book. INFRINGEMENT OF THE FACTORY ACTS.-At the Manchester County Police Court, J. Pollard, living in Barlow-street, Cheetham Hill, was summoned for conniving at the illegal employment as a "full-timer," of his son, who was under 13 years of age. Mr. W. O. Meade King, sub-inspector of factories, said that the defendant's son had for some time been working full time at the Bowker Printworks, Urmston. On the defendant producing the certificate of the boy's baptism, the magistrates saw that it had been tampered with, the year when the boy was baptised having been altered from 1863 to 1862. Mr. King pointed out that for this offence the defendant could be proceeded against either for forgery or unlawfully altering the date of the baptismal certificate. Defendant said that the boy was born in April, 1862, but was not baptised until the following year. Mr. King: If the defendant wishes to support his assertion that the boy is 13, he ought to have produced the certificate of his birth, which could have been Defendant was fined ros. and accepted as legal evidence. costs, Mr. Herford, the chairman, remarking that if proceedings were to be taken against defendant for tampering with the certificate it would be a very serious thing for him. CURIOUS RING CASE.-At the London Sheriff's Court, an action in the Exchequer, "Barnad and others v. Sir Edward A. T. Cunynghame, Bart.," was heard before Mr. UnderSheriff Burchell and a jury, to assess the value of a sapphire ring lent to the defendant, and which he had not returned. The defendant had not pleaded, and the only question was the amount to be awarded. The late Mr. Barnad was a jeweller, in Conduit-street, and the plaintiff, as his executor, brought this action. The defendant was adjudicated a bankrupt in July, 1874, and in October of the same year he went to Mr. Barnad's shop, and saw a sapphire ring, which he borrowed to wear at a ball, and was to return it in two days. He gave a memorandum that it was lent, and £60 was put on the document as the price. The defendant was accompanied when he borrowed the ring by a foreign gentleman, who put his name on the memorandum. Applications had been made to Sir Edward for the ring by Mr. Barnad, and also by his executors; but it could not be obtained, and an action was brought. Mr. Austin, an assistant to the late Mr. Barnad, was present when the ring was lent, and proved the memorandum given on the occasion. It was invoiced to Mr. Barnad at £30, and as the cash price to sell was £45 it was charged £60 for perhaps three years' credit. A witness named Leslie said when he served the defendant with the writ he said he was charged £60 for the ring, but it only fetched 16 at a pawnbroker's, and he was willing to pay his share-namely, 68, as he only had half the money. Mr. Under-Sheriff Burchell left it to the jury to assess the value of the ring. The jury gave a verdict for 45. The learned Under-Sheriff said the verdict would be reduced to Is. provided Sir Edward returned the ring. MR. J. H. JACKSON, of the Gunpowder Mill, Egham Green, has taken into partnership Mr. Alfred Smith, who has managed the mills for some considerable time. LITERARY MATTERS. "By means of the use of catalogues only can be known what has been written on every part of learning, and the hazard avoided of encountering difficulties which have already been cleared, discussing questions which have already been decided, and digging in mines of literature which former ages have exhausted." MR. P. G. HAMERTON is preparing a new and thoroughly revised edition of his book on " Etching and Etchers." It will be published in the autumn by Messrs. Macmillan and Co. THE London and China Telegraph understands that the project of establishing a Professorship of Chinese at Oxford will be shortly brought before the Council. MR. FREDERICK MARTIN, editor of the "Statesman's Year Book," is at work upon a detailed history of Lloyd's and Marine Insurance, which will be published in the autumn by Messrs. Macmillan and Co. "A HISTORY of the Portuguese in Asia and Africa," the materials for which are being collected from original sources, is in progress under the hand of Mr. P. A. Tiele, the Librarian of the University of Leyden, who proposes to follow it up with a "History of the Netherlands" in the same parts of the globe. MR. EASTWICK went to India partly on a literary errand. He has been commissioned by Mr. Murray to write hand-books for the three Presidencies, and by way of assisting the ex-M.P. for Falmouth, the Indian Government has given him free passes over the railways. NEWNHAM HALL, Cambridge, which is being built at a cost of some thousands of pounds, by gentlemen interested in promoting the higher education of women, will be opened next month. There are several exhibitions and scholarships open to competition. AN INTERNATIONAL Exhibition of Agriculture and Horticulture will take place at Luxemburg, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of next month, on the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Prince Henry of the Netherlands' governorship of the Grand Duchy. A NEW YORK publisher will bring out early in next year a "Cyclopædia of Education," a work which has hitherto been wanting in the English language. In German there are three or four encyclopædias of education, the most extensive of them being in ten imperial octavo volumes. MR. ERNEST LONGFELLOW, the eldest son of the American poet, is an artist by profession. He is about to publish, we understand, a number of etchings of remarkable American scenes, and his father contributes to the volume verses descriptive of each. SURGEON-GENERAL GORDON C.B., who accompanied the Commander-in-Chief in his recent tour through the Burmese empire, has in preparation a report upon that interesting country, including its trade, resources, characteristics, zoology, ethnology, botany, &c., which he intends shortly to publish, with illustrations and maps. DR. ANDERSON, director of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, is, says the Academy, preparing, and Messrs. Macmillan will publish, an account of the two expeditions to Western Yunnan, China. Mr. Margary, who was murdered at Manwyne, was attached to the expedition as interpreter. The work will be largely illustrated." MR. ALMARIC RUMSEY, of the Chancery Bar, has in the press a book on the Judicature Acts, constructed on a rather novel plan. Each page will be divided into two parallel columns, one containing the sections of the Act of 1873, in their proper order, the other pointing out, in its proper place, every alteration made by the act of 1875. MR. HENRY CROMIE, who has just completed his "List of Chaucer's Rhymes in the Canterbury Tales," for the Chaucer Society, has consented at Mr. Furnivall's request, to compile an index for the same society of all the names of people and places mentioned, and all the subjects treated and alluded to, in the "Canterbury Tales." MR. JUSTIN WINSOR, the Superintendent of the Public Library at Boston, U.S., has in the press his "Bibliography of the Original Quartos and Folios of Shakespeare, with parti cular reference to copies in America." MESSRS. MACMILLAN are about to republish the scientific papers of the late Daniel Hanbury, F.R.S. The volume will contain Mr. Hanbury's various contributions to botanical and pharmacological research, and a short biographical account by Mr. Joseph Ince, to whom the editorship of the work has been entrusted. THE Clarendon Press will issue this autumn, through Messrs. Macmillan & Co., a new edition of Professor Jowett's "Plato." The new edition will, for convenience, be in five volumes instead of four. The translation has been carefully revised throughout, and the introductions have been in many cases almost re-written. THE subject for one of the Chancellor's prizes the English Essay, at the University of Oxford for the ensuing year, is "The Political and Social Results of the Absorption of Small States by Large," and that for the Marquis of Lothian's Historical Prize, "The Causes of the Failure of Parliamentary Institutions in Spain and France, as compared with their success in England." A THIRD edition of Mr. Wright's well-known work on "The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon (Trübner and Co.) has just been issued. Mr. Wright has not only revised the text throughout, but has made many additions, chiefly arising out of discoveries made since the appearance of the former edition, and among these additions are a considerable number of new illustrative engravings. MR. SAMUEL TINSLEY will shortly bring out a book, entitled "Over the Borders of Christendom and Eslamiah; or, Travels in the Summer of 1875 through Hungary, Slavonia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Dalmatia, and Montenegro to the North of Albania." It is by Captain James Creagh, for many years an officer in the First Royals, and author of "A Scamper to Sebastopol." MESSRS. CASSELL, PETTER, & GALPIN will shortly publish a work entitled, "Art Studies of Home Life," containing a series of copies, printed by the Woodbury process, of famous pictures by eminent artists, including Collins, Leslie, Linnell, Landseer, Mulready, Maclise, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Webster, &c., with essays on the pictures and their painters, by Mr. Godfrey Turner. THE forthcoming posthumous writings of Hans Christian Andersen will contain several unpublished verses sent to him by Mrs. Browning, Leigh Hunt, Wordsworth, and others. The number of private letters from the leading literary men of England which Hans Andersen received during the last fifteen years of his life are said to be extraordinary, and the most interesting of these will also be published. 66 MR. ROBERT BROWN, of Underwood Park, Paisley, is preparing a History of the Paisley Grammar School" from its foundation in 1576, and of the other Schools of Paisley. Beside a minute description of the endowments granted by King James VI. for the support of the Grammar School, an account will be given of many curious incidents and topics relating to the ancient history of the town. The book will be published by Mr. Gardner, of Paisley. THE Pall Mall Gazette is informed that the Royal Commission on Copyright has been definitely settled by the Government, and only awaits the royal sanction. It will be eminently representative in character, and is expected to meet to take evidence in January next. The chairman will be Earl Stanhope. The objects of the Commission will be to see how far and in what direction, international, colonial, and domestic copyright can be improved. M. LEON SAY has approved of the decision of the com mittee appointed to award three prizes for the best designs for a new French postage stamp; which are determined as follow: -The first, of 1,500fr., to M. Jules-Auguste Sage, the subject being," Commerce and Patriotism uniting and reigning over the World"; the second of 500fr., to M. J. C. Chaplin, for a sitting figure representing France; and thirdly, that of 300fr. to M. E. Picault, for a sketch embodying the idea of "Thought taking wing and spreading intelligence." WE (Athenæum) are sorry to learn that for a considerable number of years the India Office library has been subject to a series of losses in the shape of books gone astray. Many of these losses have been merely due to the carelessness of those who frequent the library as a storehouse of reference on Oriental subjects, but others have been owing to graver causes., Greater care is at present being exercised than ever previously with regard to the loan of books; but even now it is understood some losses are sustained. Indeed, it seems impossible that these mishaps can be wholly avoided, although scrupulous care is exercised by the library officials; for who can prevent distinguished foreigners of vast learning and with a keen love for rare books, but peculiarly defective memories, from suddenly returning to their native land laden with India Office curiosities? ON and after Monday, the 4th October, the "Echo " will be published as a morning paper, price one half-penny. The evening editions will be continued as heretofore. THE Publishers of the Contemporary Review," Messrs. Strahan and Co., have issued a useful index to that Review from December 1st, 1871, to May, 1875. "The British Lyceum," a monthly popular journal of science, literature, and art, devoted to the interests of the members of literary institutions, is announced for appearance on the Ist October. A RECENT issue of the Hungarian Lloyd, brings the following correction: In the second line of our first leader, instead of "Government has a stupid courage," it should read "Government has a stupendous courage." THE IVORY TRADE.-England imports about 650 tons of ivory annually, of which 350 tons are retained for home consumption-the Sheffield cutlers alone use every year 200 tons in their manufactories. Immediately after the Franco-German war, the price of ivory made a considerable advance. Large Zanzibar tusks were bought at public sales : In 1856, at from £39 to £42 per cwt. A SERIES of articles in the Hornet has commenced under the title of the "Trade in Charity," worth reading. THE Paris Temps is publishing a story signed by "Charles Dickens," called "The History of Simon Heavysides." Ir is contemplated starting a daily morning paper in Limerick shortly. THE Aldgate Monthly Magazine, is issued gratuitously by Messrs. T. Mills & Co., and is very readable. L'Arte Stenografica, is the name of a paper started in Milan to promote the knowledge of short-hand. The Bassiret, a daily paper published in Stamboul has been suppressed by a decree of the Bureau de la Presse. ELEVEN newspapers have been started and still exist in South Africa since the beginning of this year. THE Graphic has just given a special extra supplement of eight pages, containing a number of sketches forwarded from Greenland by the officers of the Arctic Expedition. A COMPANY has been started in Leicester, called the Conservative Newspaper and Printing Company, with a capital of £5,000 in 20s. shares. Tallerman's Table Talk is the name of a new penny monthly, devoted to the food question, particularly of Australian preserved meats. THE New York Printers' Circular says that "since the commencement of the present year no less than 317 newspapers have suspended." The first volume has lately appeared at St. Petersburgh of an illustrated periodical, published monthly, called Drevnyaya Novaya Rossiya-"Old and New Russia." THE Copyright and goodwill of the Sheffield Post, together with the stereotyping and general printing business carried on at the premises in Howard Street, have been purchased by Mr. Henry Haig Murphy, of Maggieville. DURING the last month the Birmingham Morning News has published an evening edition, called the Evening News. The price of each paper is one half-penny. The new proprietor is Mr. Saunders of the Central News. THE Blackburn Standard, in East Lancashire, has been purchased by the proprietors of the Preston Herald. The Saturday edition has been enlarged from fifty-six to sixty-eight columns. A NEW journal has just been started in Paris, under the title of L'Indicateur de l'Exposition Universelle de Philadelphie, for the purpose of giving the public information on the subject. In 1869, In 1872, In 1873, In 1874, 58 to 61 63 to 72 39 53 to 58 The current prices have gone up again to £57 to 68 for large tusks. Single tusks vary in weight from 1 to 165 pounds; the average weight is about 28 pounds. To furnish the ivory which is imported into England 50,000 elephants are annually sacrificed. When we consider how much ivory is exported to other countries, we may get an idea of the war upon these mammoth quadrupeds which is continually carried on, Bombay and Zanzibar export yearly 160 tons, Alexandria and Malta 180 tons, the West Coast of Africa 20 tons, the Cape 50 tons, and Mozambique 14 tons. Ivory comes into Bombay from all the southern countries of Asia and the West Coast of Africa. Much of it is shipped to Indian and Chinese markets, and the remainder is sent to Europe. Alexandria and Malta receive ivory from Northern and Central Africa, from Egypt and the countries bordering on the Nile. The largest tusks are yielded by the African elephant, and are exported from Zanzibar; they afford ivory of a very fine quality; it is opaque, soft, and easy to work, and free from cracks and other defects. The ivory which comes from Amoriz, the Gaboon river, and posts south of the equator is called "silver grey," and retains its whiteness when exposed to the atmosphere, and never becomes yellowish with age, as does the Asiatic and East African product; it is more valuable than any other ivory in the market. Tusks from Siam are much sought after for carvings and ornamental work, as they are soft, fine grained, and translucent. Tusks which come from Mozambique and the Cape Colony seldom run above seventy pounds in weight each. From time to time a few tons of fossil ivory are collected in the Arctic regions and Siberia. This is obtained from elephants that are imbedded in ice, where they have been preserved for unknown ages. The animals discovered in this situation are covered with hair and are of mammoth size. Some of their tusks are in as fine condition for working as the best of modern ivory. MEDITERRANEAN TRADE.-Trade competition to a serious extent is now in force in the Liverpool and Mediterranean trade. This trade is mainly in the hands of Messrs. F. R. Leyland and Co. and Messrs. Burns and MacIver. Some understanding says the Liverpool Mercury, had existed as to the sailings of vessels of these firms; but it is alleged that of late the arrangements have been broken through, and the result is a keen competition, resulting in a reduction of freights for heavy goods to the extent of from 50 to 60 per cent. STATIONERY AND FANCY TRADES' REPORT. THE uniformly fine weather of the early part of last month enabled the dealers in the implements of open-air games and sports to secure a fair harvest, but the inclemency of the latter days of September may be said to have brought the out-door amusement season to a close. There is a consequent reflex influence upon some of the branches of the fancy trade, which is consequently more or less felt in all departments. But the present is essentially a biding time-a little lull before becoming briskly engaged in the toys and novelties of the forthcoming season. The New Year and Christmas stationery, such as cards, diaries, almanacs, &c., are already doing an average business, and we may dismiss the apprehension, once entertained, of a rather dull winter in this branch of trade. Paper makers complain of an absence of activity, and declare that the trade is reduced to the slender proportions of every day requirements, and these, although fairly good, are, however, insufficient to satisfy a class that counts upon a constant natural increase of consumption. And yet, despite the asserted langour, our exports of paper have exceeded the previous month by about £4,000 in value, and as against the same month of last year, show an increase of about 200 tons in weight and £8,000 in value. . The fall of the leaf is the appropriate opening of the book leaves-i.e., the publishing season. Those who refer to our literary columns month by month will observe that the number of new publications are by no means few, and the failures numerous. But the cry is still they come." The fact is, everybody imagines that his paper must succeed. There may be half-a-dozen similar ones already published, but his will supersede them all: it has features of a novel and striking character which must ensure for it the recognition of all right-minded people to whom it is addressed. Capital is not even thought of in some instances; a few pounds is to be sufficient to set it going, and then the remainder will be forthcoming on the strength of the brilliant success which the paper will prove. How quickly many originators of these papers are undeceived, how lamentably wrong in their calculations, and what bitter disappointment they experience is but known too well by all the trade. Printers, lithographers, and bookbinders are, as is usual at this season of the year, dull. Although some large houses are still fully employed, the orders as yet are neither large nor numerous. The approach of the winter season certainly gives an impetus to these branches, and hopes are entertained of tolerable activity hence till Christmas. The Printing Times and Lithographer gives the following timely hint :-" British Manufacturers will need to look well to their laurels whenever Brother Jonathan decides to seriously enter the lists. That this time is coming, and that we must be prepared to encounter competition from America is certain. Strikes and combinations of workmen have tended to enormously stimulate the use of machinery in all departments of American industry, and we are not surprised to learn upon very reliable data that the United States will soon cease to import many articles of commerce-paper amongst others-and that the vast facilities for production which she has created already necessitate the finding of markets away from home. One fact is worth a dozen surmises, and we know that in more than one instance the Americans have successfully competed with English paper makers; therefore it is but timely to warn our countrymen to be on the qui vive. A paper mill on the modern British model is in course of erection in China; the intention of its proprietors being to utilise the various fibres and waste of silk so abundant in those parts. The following is the value of paper manufactured in five out of sixteen departments in which this trade is carried on, viz.: Isère, 10,564,000f.; Charente. 9,031,654f.; Seine-et-Marne, 6,328,520f.; Seine-et-Oise, 5,423,548f.; Pas-de-Calais, 5,140,000f. These figures are taken from the last report of the French Ministry of Commerce. STATE OF TRADE GENERALLY. TRADE STATISTICAL RETURNS. The Board of Trade returns for the month and eight months ending with August were duly issued. The exports of August for the past three years were 22,657,334 in 1873, 20,503,756 in 1874, and £19,418,876 in 1875; and for the eight months, 171,401,295, 159,477,032, and 149.511,844 respectively. The imports of the month were £29,894,506 in 1873, £32,317,228 in 1874, and 31,200,145 in 1875; and for the eight months, £245,970,964 252,076,833, and £250,505,786 respectively. The imports of gold and silver for the month were £2,724,611 in 1873, £3.006,138 in 1874, and £2,549,633 in 1875; and for the eight months, £21,988,000 £19,923,970, and 24,666,893 respectively. The exports of gold and silver for the month were 1,244,408 in 1873, £1,380,494 in 1874, and £1,774,787 in 1875; and for the eight months, £19,641,833, 16,475,993, and 15,322,383 respectively. The tonnage of British and foreign vessels entered and cleared in the month of August was 1,737,479 and 1,737,122 respectively in 1873, 2,078,595 and 1.904,178 in 1874, and 1,929,164 and 2,018,037 in 1875; and for the eight months, 12,199,318 and 12,670,516 in 1873, 12,806,038 and 13,002,633 in 1874, and 12,075,074 and Total......... "" 9,957,593 From the returns of the exports it is satisfactory to find that iron of most descriptions again shows an improvement, although the returns show beyond a doubt that the price is still declining. Thus the quantity of pig iron exported in August last year was 69,399 tons, of the value of £314,065, while during last month the quantity had increased to 91,945 tons, the value of which was only £318,120. On the eight months the result is still more striking, the exports in the first eight months of last year being 542,064 tons valued at £2,256,576, while during the past eight months the amount was 622,168 tons, worth £2,347,060. In bar and rod iron the discrepancy in price is still more apparent, the exports during the first eight months last year was 152,702 tons, of the value of £1,906,811, while in the past eight months the total was 177,469 tons, worth £1,803,891. Railroad iron shows a falling off on the eight months of more than 150,000 tons. The demand on the part of foreigners for English steam engines shows a considerable falling off, the chief decline being to Germany, Italy, Egypt, and Australia. In machinery of other descriptions there is comparatively little alteration, the increase on the month and eight months being very slight. The totals are: Month of August. 1874 1875. Eight Months. 18741875. Steam engines...£270,085 £185,562 £2,100,258 £1,830,676 Machinery, &c.... 529,014 548,967 4,361,880 4,365.010 Copper unwrought shows a slight decline both on the month and eight months, the decline being to British India, Belgium, and Germany. Manufactured copper is nearly stationary, the variations in the demand being a decline on the part of Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States. In china and earthenware there has been an improved demand not only during the past month, but during the whole of the present year, the United States taking a larger supply, as the totals for the month of August last year were 46,342, against 51,510 last month; and on the eight months the increase has been from 371,996 to 403,866. Australia shows an increase on the month from £12,624 to 25,216, and on the year from £120,014 to £127,783. There is a decrease on the trade to Brazil of fully 50 per cent. In miscellaneous articles the increase in the export of alkali has been on the month from 391,402 cwts. to 456,777 cwts., while for the eight months the increase has been only from 3164,537 cwts. to 3,173,941 cwts. The export of horses has increased on the month from 361 to 403, the increase to France being from 116 to 141, while on the eight months the increase has been from 2,010 to 2,156, the increase to France during the period being from 720 to 1,048. In small arms there as been an increase on the month from from 21,568 to 24,978, and on the eight months from 155,958 to 187,236. In beer and ale there has been a decline on the month of 4,335 barrels, and on the eight months of 37,110 barrels, the decrease being chiefly to the United States and Australia. Coal shows an increase in the quantity exported, both during the month, and the eight months, but, like iron, there is a decrease in the market value. Thus during the month the exports increased from 1,436,321 tons to 1,534,826 tons, while on the eight months the increase is from 8,910,616 tons to 9,277,298 tons. In boots and shoes the increase on the month is from 36,466 dozen pairs to 40,434 dozen pairs, and on the eight months the increase is from 262,958 to 297,493 dozen pairs, the increase being chiefly to Australia. BIRMINGHAM. The approach of the winter season gives a slight impetus to some branches of the home hardware trade, otherwise there is unusual quietness in this town. Electrotypers are unusually quiet, especially for the home trade, and though business is altogether certainly much worse now than it was at this time last year, or even in 1873, some scarcely venture to hope that they have yet passed through the most trying period of depression. In the better class of jewellery the makers report a slight improvement; and it is hoped the London season, now close at hand, will stimulate much more activity. For cheap goods there is still a brisk demand, and makers of the new ornament for ladies' wear, popularly known as the " dog collars," are very busy. Of the foreign jewellery trade there is this week absolutely nothing to report, but, as the extreme depression has prevailed so long, hopes are entertained that there will speedily be a favourable change. Other fancy goods trades are also very quiet, though perhaps not unusually so for this particular time of year. The button trade is tolerably active, and various branches of the tool trade are also fully employed. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE. The South Staffordshire hardware trades are steady as to demand, but not specially buoyant, and yet, oddly enough, the merchants and factors complain of the great difficulty they experience in obtaining prompt deliveries of goods. The Wolverhampton ironfounders are well occupied on orders for tinned and enamelled hollow wares, and general castings are in steady demand. The lock trade is buoyant in all the leading branches, and there is every prospect of a continuance of the prevailing activity. The cut nail and washer factories are in somewhat steadier operations. The lock trade at Willenhall maintains a fair degree of buoyancy in all the leading branches. Machinery is being largely introduced into the manufacture of locks and keys in Willenhall, and the old fashioned processes of production bid fair in a short time to be superseded. Bolts and latches are in steady demand. Curry combs are in very slack inquiry. At Wednesbury the wroughtiron tube trade shows a decided improvement, and the demand for gas tubes and fittings is now of a very fair extent. The engineering ironwork manufacturers in the neighbourhood are doing a steadier business than we were recently able to report. The West Bromwich ironfounders are very busy on orders for gas mains and other heavy classes of produce. The staple industries of Walsall are steadier than last described, but the aggregate business doing does not present anything like a good average for the season. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE. In North Staffordshire the iron trade is thoroughly inactive, which condition in September denotes a much worse state of things before Christmas. The new business is limited, and orders on the books for ordinary bars being somewhat short the mills are not so well engaged. The home trade has fallen off, and for this shipping orders have failed to compensate. Following South Staffordshire, the masters have reverted to the old rate of wages, and the fortnight's deductions are refunded.. SHEFFIELD. The old staple trades of the town are, if anything, improving. File manufacturers find fresh orders coming in rapidly, and all the workmen engaged in this branch have a sufficiency of employment. The American houses are busier on account of more favourable reports as to the state of trade in the States. Edge tools are being exported to New York in large quantities, and fresh favours are also to hand from Canada. The saw department is, however, exceedingly dull, and above half the workmen in the town are only on half time. Best classes of table cutlery for the home and Continental markets are being sent out in large quantities, and the majority of the manufactories engaged in this special trade are running overtime. Common flied table-knives are a drug in the market, and very little business is doing in them. Favourable advices continue to arrive from the Australian market, where heavy sales of Sheffield goods are now being effected. In the stove-grate department there is a falling off of work; there is an average business, however, doing, and manufacturers have little to complain of, especially the houses engaged on best work. The pen and pocket-knife cutlers are mostly on short time. Skate makers are preparing for the next season's demand by stocking, and this department is at present very brisk. LEICESTER. The hosiery trade is showing more activity. Merchants are selling more now that the weather is becoming a little more seasonable, and they are giving out orders with a view of having their stocks well assorted for the Ist of the month. Orders have been more general during the month, and these, with what manufacturers had on hand, are ample to find them full employment. The elastic trade shows but little sign of improvement. Some manufacturers report a falling off in the demand for narrow web, but there is still a fair business doing in these descriptions. NOTTINGHAM. But little change has occurred in the condition of the lace trade, since our last report. If anything, a somewhat better |