28 JANUARY 1837, Page 2

it His Lordship," says the Chronicle," did not leave this

country for Russia with a character to establish. From the consideration in which he was held at home, lie mild afford to be kind abroad, without fear for his dignity. In fact, he lives with the English merchants on terms of the most cordial intimacy. They, their wives, and their daughters, form his society as much, and even mole, than the Russian nobility. This is no trifle, in a country in which trade is not honoured as in England. In this country, the noble becomes trader and the trader becomes noble ; but in Russia, the trader, if not a slave, is di. rectly sprung from slaves. It WM the object of Lord Durham to show the proudest Prince in Russia, that an English merchant is his equal in every respect, and riot merely to be publicly protected, but privately cherished as a friend and companion. Our readers may easily conceive that the general character of that body has been raised, and usefully raised ; and leave Russia when he may, his Lordship will carry with him the pleasing satisfaction of having been the first representative of' his country who did not disdain to show that the English mer. chant was his equal."

Lord DURHAM is likely to have a more disagreeable affair than that of the tariff to settle with the Russian Government. A British merchant schooner, the Vixen, has been captured in the Black Sea, off the coast of Circassia, under the pretence that she violated a blockade established by Russia, by a Russian vessel of war. She had previously disposed of a cargo of salt at Djook. Now Russia has no right whatever to blockade this part of the coast. Twice she has proclaimed the blockade, but no notice was taken of it in the London Gazette; and when Mr. BELL, the owner, before he despatched the Vixen, inquired at the Foreign Office whether such a blockade existed, he was simply referred to the Gazette. His vessel and cargo were insured at Lloyd's. Of course, reparation for this outrage must be demanded, and obtained at any cost. The British navy is of no use if-it cannot protect our commerce.