The Parliamentary session of 1850 must ever be memorable for two events--the sudden rise of Lord Palmerston into fame and popularity, and the equally sudden removal of the most illustrious figure in the House of Commons. The debate, which was the occasion of the first, and immediately preceded the second of these events, arose out of one of the most trivial and least creditable matters that ever agitated the Councils and menaced the peace of a great nation. Certain British subjects had suffered loss in the destruction of their property during the disturbances at Athens in 1847, and had lodged claims for compensation against the Greek Government. The principal sufferer was a Portuguese Jew, named Pacifico, a British subject in virtue of having been born in Gibraltar. The Greeks were needy and delayed a settlement. Then there was Mr. Finlay, too, the historian of Greece, long resident at Athens, who had a grievance of a different sort, arising out of a demand made by the Greek Government that he should surrender a piece of land at less than he considered its value. The strange thing was that Palmerston took up these private claims as an international question, although neither of the claimants had tried the experiment of litigation in the Greek courts. A British squadron was ordered to the Piræus, all the Greek vessels in that harbour were seized, and Athens was blockaded. The Greeks appealed to the governments of France and Russia, who remonstrated with Great Britain touching this high-handed dealing with a weak State. Russia was rudely outspoken and menacing: she was told bluntly by Lord Palmerston that it was none of her business. France was more conciliatory, and by her aid a convention in regard to the disputed claims was arranged in London. But there was so much delay in communicating the result to the British Ambassador in Athens, Mr. Wyse, that he was left in ignorance that a modified payment had been agreed on, and continued to press for payment of the full claims. Thereupon arose serious misunderstanding between the British and French Governments, England being accused of breach of faith. Appearances were certainly against her; the French Ambassador was recalled from London, and two great nations seemed on the brink of war. [Illustration: _J. Leech._} {_From "Punch."_ THE GRECIAN DIFFICULTY. Mr. Punch: "Why don't you hit one of your own size?"] [Illustration: MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF YE ENGLYSHE IN 1849. No. 8. YE COMMONS RESSOLVED INTO A COMMYTTEE OF YE WHOLE HOUSE. _Richard Doyle._} {_From "Punch."_] [Sidenote: Rupture with France Imminent.] [Sidenote: Civis Romanus Sum.]