Nashville Union And American

THE ENGLISH IRON MARKET.

BIRMINGHAM, 31st October.

The trade in the lower descriptions of iron is scarcely so active as a few weeks ago, and inferior makes of pigs and malleable iron may be bought, it is said, at reduced rates, but the first houses, on account of the demand for plates and rails, will not deviate from the list prices viz: bars, £11; hoops, £12; and plates £13. In addition to the orders expected to follow the quarterly meetings, and tenders for some of which have already been expected, the London and North Western and other great companies are again in the market, and require an immediate supply of iron, and other local productions. The greatest activity prevails in the first works of the district, and the large orders in course of execution for shipbuilding and government purposes in connection with the war are proceeding satisfactorily. Now the hot weather has given place to a cooler atmosphere, the men are able to pursue their work at the furnaces with greater steadiness and regularity than during the summer months

The orders for iron during the week for the American market are reported on the increase and the last arrival has brought some orders for rails, which were said to have been waiting a favorable turn in commercial transactions. The intelligence from America is much more satisfactory and the buyers here for the States finding the decision of quarterly meetings against a reduction, have orders which they kept in abeyance. There have, also, been some brisk contracts advertised in connection with our own lines of railways, and these coupled with the war requirements, sustain the trade, and are likely to do so throughout the winter. Ironstone, coal and labor, continue the same as last week; and so long as there is no abatement in the value of these essentials, best iron will necessarily maintain its price, although inferior quality, in the hands of small makers, may undergo a reduction, and in some instances has gone down.