The price of Coal, in London at least, appears to
have turned, the fall this week having been about 4s. all round, bringing the high-priced coal down to 48s. This price will not relieve the distress, which in many trades is very great. In the North, where small factories are constantly let at prices which include coal, proprietors are losing heavily, the cotton trade is hardly at work, the demand for iron is checked or stopped by its excessive price, 80 per cent. above normal rates, and the steam-owners of Liverpool say they must lay up a third of their ships. In London coals are selling by the pound, and a hopeful coal dealer of some eminence tells us that although there will be a rapid fall soon, we must not look for coal under 35s. in the Pool,—that is, under 42s. in the cellar. That is an advance of 75 per cent. on ten years ago.
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