A few days ago some preliminary report was published in London about the export of English produce and manufactures during the last year, the result of which, when compared with that of the preceding year, shows a rather considerable decline, evidently, for the greater part, on account of the lessened import of cotton from the United States.

The following statement shows the importance of English manufacture and produce for Germany, and especially for the Hanseatic ports belonging to this consulate general district.

According to the foregoing almost 17 per cent. of the entire export of English produce go to Germany. France, nothwithstanding her recent treaty of commerce with England, is put down with only £8,896,282 against £5,249,980 in the preceding year, and, therefore, with less than the export to the Hanseatic ports alone. The same was last year the case with the exports to the United States, which declined from £21,667,065 in 1860 to £9,057,326 in 1861. Even the export to the English East Indies, numbering a population of hundreds of millions, amounted to only a little more than that to Germany, viz: £16,412,090. It is a popular fact that the high proportion of the import of English produce to Germany is considered by German merchants, especially by those of the Hanseatic ports, as a very favorable sign, whilst, in fact, methinks it is nothing but a proof that the manufacturing progress of Germany is far behind that of England. On the other hand, however, the stated proportion has in so far some political importance as a comparison between the export of Eng lish and French manufactures to Germany shows, and such is universally conceded, that the Germans, from a certain national feeling or principle, prefer the manufacture of England to that of France.

APRIL 24, 1862.

One of the principal squares in this city is called "Rossmarket," (the horsemarket,) which name is received from the horse-markets, or horse-fairs, having been held there in ancient times, when Frankfort was still the place of coronation for the emperors of Germany. It is, however, more than two hundred years since the last horse-fair took place in Frankfort. Although the city, with its many wealthy inhabitants, the great concourse of travellers passing through, and its rich agricultural neighborhood, offer so many advantages for such an institution, the good old patricians and knights of Frankfort were obliged, by the exorbitant taxes and duties levied on the horses, to suspend these fairs, which were otherwise one of their principal sources of amusement. For a long time, therefore, this part of Germany remained without any horse-fair until one was established at Mannheim, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, and another at Stuttgart, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, from which also the demands of Frankfort were supplied. Already, about eight years ago, it is true, Mr. Frankel, one of the principal dealers at Mannheim, removed to this place. But the idea of resuming such an important industrial undertaking in Frankfort did not occur until it was perceived what efforts were being made in other places to extend the lucrative business of horse-dealing and until the Industrial Exchange was established in Stuttgart and succeeded so well. The Frankfort imitation of the latter establishment proved indeed a failure, as the city itself does not possess a sufficient number of enterprising private individuals, and on the part of the Board of Commerce there is an ordinary predilection for the encouragement of exchange and financial enterprise only. Two years ago, however, some of the wealthiest citizens, such as Barons Bethmann and Erlanger, who are also large landholders, started an "agricultural association," (Landwirthschaftlicher Verein,) for the promotion of the agricultural interests not only of Frankfort but of the neighboring territory. This association began at once by collecting the necessary funds for the establishment of a horse-fair, in which they have just now so well succeeded. The local authorities were petitioned for certain privileges, exemption from turnpike tolls and city taxes for the horses, which were granted. Prizes for the best horses were offered by the senate and by the private promoters of the undertaking, and invitations to attend the fair were sent to the principal German and foreign horse-dealers and

amateurs.

The first horse-fair thus re-established was held from the 7th to the 9th of April last, immediately before the commencement of the regular Easter mass, or spring fair, which naturally added much to the liveliness of the meeting. It was held on the very same place as formerly, the Rossmarket, and the adjoining squares and streets, but as the proceedings much impeded traffic in so great a thoroughfare of the most crowded and fashionable part of the town, it will probably be held in future in some place in the suburbs, where there will be room also for the erection of temporary stables, so as to have all the horses near together. On the present occasion the working horses and those of a more common breed stood on the market-place itself. The high-bred and more expensive horses were put in private stables in different parts of the town. More than 1,100 horses of all breeds and from all parts of Germany were brought into market, so that every variety of demand could be satisfied. Danish horses only were wanting, but these, also, will, no doubt, be supplied at the next fair, now that the want of them has been observed.

An exact statistical report cannot be given respecting this first horse-fair, as the novelty of the occurrence did not permit the necessary information to be collected or furnished. The following particulars, however, are gathered from authentic sources:

563 luxus pferde (chevaux de luxe, high-bred or fancy horses,) were put up

in the private stables already mentioned. They were chiefly of English, Mecklenburg, East Russian, Hanoverian, and Wurtemberg breed. 354 were sold, and, on an average, at very high prices, viz: from 50 to 200 louis d'or, (200 to 800 dollars,) apiece. One fine pair of carriage horses fetched as much as 300 louis, or about 1,200 dollars, a pair-a tremendously high price for this country. There were three beautiful four-in-hand teams, especially worthy of notice, of which one was honored with a prize. Heavy draught horses of Burgundy, Bavaria, and Birkenfeld breed sold for from 45 to 75 louis, (180 to 300 dollars,) apiece, and were in such request that only half the demand could be supplied. There was a still greater demand for middling class hacks, chiefly for farmers of the neighborhood, and here also the supply was unequal to the demand. About 200 heads of light farm horses sold very well. About 750 to 800 horses were sold altogether, to the perfect satisfaction of the dealers, who unanimously declared their intention of attending the next fairs. The proceeds of the sales are estimated at $400,000. Many of the horses were exported to Bavaria, Switzerland, Holland, and England. More than half, however, remained in the neighborhood of Frankfort, where, of course, so favorable an opportunity of purchasing has not for a long time offered itself.

Among the purchasers the king of Wurtemberg, the duke of Nassau, and several princes of the neighborhood were noticed; all of them, especially the king of Wurtemberg, great promoters of horse-breeding. There was also a great number of military officers from the southwest of Germany. The farmers came mostly from Nassau and the two Hesses.

The morning of the first day of the fair was occupied in the examination of the horses for prizes, and in their distribution. The prizes were thus awarded: 1. A prize of f.100 for the best saddle horse, to Mr. Frankel. 2. A prize of f150 for the best pair of carriage horses of heavier breed, to Mr. Meier Kahn, of Bochum, in Prussia. 3. A prize of f.50 for the best pair of carriage horses of a lighter description, to Mr. S. Benedick, of Cologne. 4. A prize of f.150 for the best pair of heavy draught horses, to Lobstein Brothers, of Jebenhausen, in Wurtemberg. 5. A prize of f.50 for the best pair of light draught farm horses, to the same. 6. A very handsome silver goblet, as honorary prize for the best and most varied collection of horses, not less than twelve in nuinber, to Mr. S. Benedick, of Cologne. 7. A prize of f.150, given by Baron Von Erlanger, for the best and finest team of horses, to Mr. Riche, of Hanau. 8. A prize of f.50, given by Mr. Benedick, for the best two heavy draught horses, to Mr. P. Rothschild, of Cologne. 9. A supplementary prize for the best stallion, to Messrs. Wolff & Rohrback, of Heidelberg.

The horses which gained prizes, tastefully decorated with the colors of the city of Frankfort, were led to the market-place, in front of one of the principal hotels, and their owners received their respective prizes from the hand of Baron Alexander von Bethmann, the president of the agricultural association, and in the presence of the two burgomasters and the other local authorities.

In order to attract a greater number of amateurs and dealers, a lottery had been arranged of three beautiful horses, and of some splendid sets of harness, the tickets for which were sold at very low prices.

The general opinion is, from the satisfactory results of the present undertaking, that the autumn fair, to be held from the 25th to the 27th of August next, will be even still better attended. It will certainly do great injury to the horsemarket which takes place about the same time in the neighboring city of Mannheim.

MAY 1, 1862.

In compliance with the consular regulations, I have the honor to report the rates current here for short bills, as follows, viz:

The rate of discount is 3 per cent. That of private bankers lower. American stock continues to be in demand, although both the transactions and the quotations did recently not improve in the same rapid degree as some weeks back.

The following table, prepared from some authentic meteorological and telegraphic reports, show the state of the thermometer in different parts of Europe on the 24th of March and the 26th of April, at 8 o'clock a. m. in degrees after Celsius:

Yesterday terminated the annual Easter fair. It lasted, as usual, three weeks, but was much shortened and consequently injured by the interruption from the Christian and Jewish Easter holidays. The wholesale business, indeed, ended with the first week, as both sellers and buyers arrive a week before

the commencement of the fair, make their selections of goods, settle their business, and employ the latter part of the fair only for their money arrangements, or in preparing for Leipsic. Strange to say, even the beautiful summer weather injured business here, especially that of cloth and buckskins, the attention of the dealers in these articles being exclusively directed to summer stuffs, the demand for which, particularly for coats and pantaloons, exceeded the supply. Of the heavier stuffs, only black cloths sold at all well; satins, zephyrs, and threequarter cloths found hardly any sale. The dullness was much complained of by the cloth manufacturers from the Odenwald and Hesse, as their winter cloths usually sell well at the Easter fair, in cold, raw, spring weather. The warm weather was favorable, also, to summer stuffs for chalis and wrappers, and those in barege were much in demand, but woollen and half woollen wrappers were quite disregarded.

The transactions in manufactured goods were so far satisfactory that all the newest and most fashionable designs from the Saxon manufacturing districts, and also from Elberfeldt and Berlin, found a ready sale. It is rather characteristic of the present time that it is impossible to name any single article of this kind worthy of special notice. The manufacturers and wholesale dealers invent. the most extraordinary names for their goods, in order to please their customers with apparent novelties. There were, therefore, Garibaldis, Victorias, Imperials, Napoleons, &c., in the market, and, no doubt, if it had not been for the total absence at present of American customers, we should have had ladies' dresses ticketed "Lincoln," "Seward," "Stanton," or Sigel;" for the greater part

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of these fancifully named articles relate to ladies' toilette. Smooth black silk goods, heavy manufactures of Lyons and Crefeldt, sold in large quantities and at low prices. The wholesale dealers, who had availed themselves of the crisis in the silk trade in the spring, were enabled to sell lower than at many of the preceding fairs; and the retailers were encouraged to buy, owing to the advance in raw silk during the last few days and weeks. Calicoes form one of the staple articles in all fairs, being always disposed of in large quantities. This time, however, the prices were so depressed that the wholesale dealers had little beyond the expensive honor of selling. English lustres, alpacas, paramattas, and mized, sold very well, and it is remarkable that such articles are most in demand when of genuine English manufacture, although subject to a duty of 30 thalers, (or $21.)

This, however, may be explained by the fact of the German manufacturers being far behind the English in this branch. Bidefeldt linen, always a favorite article at fairs, sold but slowly at first, though afterwards improved so that thick linens at 25, 26 florins were easily disposed of. The reason, of course, is the scarcity of cotton manufactures, owing to the American embarrassments.

The second week the leather fair begins, which is always a principal feature of the whole, and generally attracts a great number of strangers from all parts. even from the United States. But, as I have always mentioned above, America was not represented here at all this year, although it was expected there would be a large attendance owing to a want of supplies. It seemed, however, that the American agents have adopted the European plan of travelling about the country at other times than during the fairs to make their purchases, for it is hardly possible that there should be no want of this article after the Frankfort and Leipsic fairs have been almost entirely deserted by American customers during the last two years.

The

Altogether the business of the leather fair was not very brilliant. buyers wanted low prices, which the manufacturers could not grant, as their profits would have been low enough already, even at the former prices. Raw leather and oak bark were always and still remain too dear in proportion to the prices paid for tanned leather. The traffic in tame sole leather and upper H. Ex. Doc. 63-27