23 FEBRUARY 1861, Page 9

MONEY MARKET.

STOOK EXCHANGE, FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

A FALL of 1 per cent, has occurred this week in English Securities, and the market assumes a very heavy aspect at the close of business this afternoon. The first quotation in Consols on Monday was 911 to 92 for the 7th March, and after reaching 92 "buyers," a general decline set in, and the last price to-day is 911 only. The prevailing heaviness is attributable to several causes : in the first place, the inconvenience which is being felt by the con- tinuance of an 8 per cent, rate of discount ; then there is the continued export of gold to New York, later arrivals of lower exchange quotations, the settlement of the New Indian Scrip, and, lastly, the supposed extensive defalcations of M. Mires : all these, with several minor adverse influences, have tended to depress quotations, and induced sales for realization. Money has again been in active demand, and although the average rate on the Stock Exchange has been between 6 and 7 per cent., as much as 9 per cent, has been offered, and yesterday it was expected in some quarters that the Bank Directors would have recourse to an additional augmentation in the minimum rate of 1 or even 2 per cent. To-day a somewhat better feeling prevailed at the commencement of business, but a relapse has since occurred owing to pressure of sales. Bank Stock, after having advanced during the week to 241, has returned to and closes at 235; Reduced and New Three per Cents, 91* to 911; India Stock heavy at 223 to 225; Ditto Five per Cents., 994 to 99/ ; and the New Loan, 99* to 100*, showing a decline in the latter of about 1 per cent. Business, however, is exceedingly limited. Consols for money, 91* to 911 ; and for 7th March, 911 to 911. The first settlement in the Indian Scrip took place on Wednesday last.

The Railway Share Market has undergone considerable activity, and some heavy fluctuations have taken place, closing this afternoon at a general decline—in some cases since last Saturday of 2 and 3 per cent. Midland Stock is especially heavy, and leaves off 1304 to 130f ; Great Western, 691 to 691; London and North-Western, 99 to 994; London and South-Western, 934 to 94: and Lancashire and Yorkshire, 1091 to 110. The tendency at the close is still downwards. Caledonian, 971 to 971; London and Brighton, 113 to 114; South Eastern and Dover, 864 to 851; Great Northern, 111 to 112; ditto, A stock, 104 to 105; Chester and Holyhead, 58 to 534 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 49 to 50; London and Blackwell, 62 to 64; Eastern Counties, 47i to 484; North British, 63 to 63*; Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee, 86 to 37.

Foreign Stocks and securities are all depressed, and lower figures will be noticed all round. The principal fall has been in Mexican and Turkish, the former to 23 to 231 (about 1 per cent.); the Six per Cents, Old, of the latter, 69 to 70; and ditto New, 54 to 55. Buenos Ayres, dull at 92 to 94, and the Three per Cents, 284 to 29*; Peruvian Four and a Half per Cents firm, 97 to 98; Ditto Three per Cents, 74 to 75; Ditto Unbarren, 80 to 82; Ditto the Dollar Bonds, 78 to 80; Brazilian, 85 to 86; Russian Five per Cents, 104 to 105; Ditto Three per Cents, 61 to 61*; Victor Emmanuel, 93 to 94; Sardinian, 82 to 83; Spanish Three per Cents., 48 to 484; Ditto Deferred, 404 to 41; Ditto Certificates, 6 to 64; Venezuela Three per Cents., 21 to 22; Ditto One and a Half per Cents., 11 to 12.