The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-14 00:00:00

COUNT PAULEN.

The Earl of GRANVILLE wished to call the atten-
tion of their lordships to a personal matter of some im-
portance. The grave charge was made against him of
having introduced into English society, and the Travel-
ler's Club, a subject of the country with whom we were
at war. He alluded to Count Pahlen, who was now in
this country ; he was known to several of their lordships
for his high character and accomplishments, and his
partiality for this country. (Hear.) He bad come not
, from Russia, or any part of the Continent, but Madeira,
where he had spent the winter; his object in coming here
for a very short time was the settlement of some small
pecuniary matters, as well as to take what, considering
his great age, might be his final leave of some intimate
friends. The Count had been the intimate friend of his
(Earl Granville's) father, and of the Duke of Wellington,
the late Earl Grey, and a great many of the most dis-
tinguished men in the country. (Hear, hear.) From
the earliest time of his life, he (Earl Granville)
had received kindness from him, and he found he was
always treated with respect by those on whose judgment
he had always relied. On his arrival in England he
(Earl Granville) ',signed the usual printed form which
was required before the admission of a foreigner into the
club, and to show that his conduct was not considered
disgraceful by that society, he might mention that in
passing only a short distance along Pall-Mall he
met no less than twenty members of the club, who
expressed to him their indignation at the complaints
which had been made. On the general question he (Earl
Granville) denied that it was unjustifiable on the part of
an Englishman to treat with civility and kindness the
subject of a power, when his country was at war with
that power. (Cheers.) The noble lord then entered
into a justification of his conduct, by reference to the
law of nations.
The Earl of MALMESBURY, the Marquis of LANS-
DOWNE, Lord BROUGHAM', and other noble peers, bore
testimony to the high character of the Count, and gene.
rally condemned the attack made on E (r 1 Granville.
The Earl of ABERDEEN observed tbat the authority
generally respected by the noble lords opposite, though
happily not so on the present occasion, said that Count
Pablen bad come to this country with a secret mission
t. o himself. (A. laugh.) So far, however, from that be-
ing the case, he had not the slightest knowledge of the
Count's arrival until these complaints originated.
The discussion then dropped.

MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL.
Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY said, that in ask-
ing their lordships to assent to the second reading of this
bill, he wished to remind thorn that within the last two
or three years most important improvements had been
made in the state of the law with regard to merchant
shipping; and he was sure their lordships would be much
gratified at learning that these alterations had proved of
the greatest possible advantage to all parties concerned.
The measure of last year had relieved the merchant ship-
ping of this country to the extent of more than 190,0001.
in dues. A balance of 70,0001. remained in the hands of
the marine department of the Board of Trade ; an addi-
tional sum of 50,0001. was expected this year; and the
Government would therefore be enabled to make fur-
ther reductions. From the bill of this year opening up
the coasting trade would arise additional benefit. He
thought their lordships would agree with him, that the
mercantile marine of this country never showed greater
energy or ability in the construction of vessels based on
the best principles of naval architecture; and, above all,
they would learn with great gratification that,there never
was a period when the remuneration of persons extend-
ing their capital and exerting their energies in that de-
partment was so great as it was at present.
Lord CAMPBELL, said that, while he approved of
the object of the bill, be should like to have time to con-
sider such of its details as were of a legal character; and
as the bill contained 600 clauses, it was necessary that
its provisions should be carefully
Lord COLCHESTER said the existing laws were
spread over eleven Acts of Parliament, and it was evi-
dently desirable that they should ail be consolidated as
they were in the bill. He should have several amend-
ments to move in committee, but he was nevertheless of
opinion that the mea-ure as a whole be very beneficial
to all persons connected with the shipping interest.
BANKRUPTCY BILL.'
This bill passed through committee.
NEW FOREST BILL.
This bill passed through committee.