Messrs. Mocatta & Goldsmid, reporting from London on December 7, state:—The price of silver has remained at a slightly higher level during the past week, as high as 32 7/16 being. 1 quoted on the 5th instant. America has been rather a reluctant seller and, with a continuance of China bear covering, and purchases for! early shipment to India, the market; has had a steadier undertone, which is perhaps only natural after the somewhat severe fall the' price has had during the previous few weeks. It is difficult to say whether this steadiness will prove to be merely a lull before a further fall, but we are inclined to think it will, for thera was a renewed feeling of weakness yesterday on some resales by India of silver bought for} shipment, and the price has dropped to 3ijd. with a very, uncertain tendency. Stocks in Shanghai have decreased considerably, but there is no disposition to replenish them and India remains the only outlet for the metal that comes on the market.
Reporting from London on December 14, Messrs. Mocatta & Gold-amid state After the fall of $d. per oz. in the price of silver which took place on the 7th inst., the market remained fairly steady for three or four days, there being a good demand for early shipment to India. During the last two days, however, there has been much more decided weakness and the price has fallen from 31 13/16d. to 30 15/16d., which was the quotation yesterday and again to-
China has taken little interest in the market beyond covering some bear sales and India, whilst buying for early shipment, has sold for forward delivery. It is these sales, in addition to offerings from New York, that have been the chief cause of the decline. After the departure of this week's steamer to Bombay, it is not anticipated that the demand for India will be so keen, and, in spite of the comparatively low prices now ruling, we do not see any reason to expect a permanent recovery, although some temporary reaction seems possible.
There has been a sharp fall in the price of gold, in sympathy with the movements of the American exchange. The lowest quotation reached during the week was 88/5, while the quotation to-day is 83/10 per oz. fine.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.