FINANCIAL.――A prospectus has appeared for the establishment of “The Bank of West Africa,” capital £500,000, ($2,500,000,) in fifty thousand shares of £10 each, ($50.) The chief office is to be in London, with branches at Sierra Leone and Lagos. The shares of the Standard Bank of South Africa, £25, ($125,) paid, are quoted at 57, and the dividends paid for the last two years have been sixteen per cent. Postal money order offices have been opened between Sierra Leone and the Gambia, at the rate of three shillings (75 cents) per £10, ($50.) COMMERCIAL.――Africa contains resources upon which large portions of the enlightened world will in no very remote future be dependent, and it possesses the very highest capacity for the consumption of many of the productions of civilization. One of the marked developments is the numerous orders for utensils and simple machinery of various kinds, to be worked by hand or with light power, and for mechanical tools and agricultural implements. The business is already extensive and is likely to be of immense magnitude. Dr. Holub describes Prince Sechele, chief of the Bechuanas, as living in a grand abode, which he had erected in European style, at a cost of $15,000. Khartoum is making astonishing progress. Magnificent stores have been built within the last three years, and everything in modern civilization can now be had there. The Northwest Company is extending commerce at Cape Juby. The security afforded since the “annexation” by England of Lagos has powerfully helped it to become the “Liverpool of Africa.” The declared value of its exports in 1878 was £577,346, ($2,886,730.) The number, tonnage, &c., of steam vessels which entered Lagos in the same year is thus given: Nationality. Steamers. Tonnage. Crews. British 144 141,590 5,746 German 72 4,251 1,177 ――― ――――――― ――――― Totals 216 145,841 6,293 “The Lagos Warehouse and Commission Company,” capital £50,000, ($250,000) in £5 ($25) shares, has been formed, for the purpose of founding a wholesale warehouse at Lagos, and, when desirable, at other important points on the West Coast. Thus a native merchant will be put in possession of two thirds of the net value of his consignment immediately the Company is in possession of his produce, and he will be enabled to have all his produce realized in the home market.