At a meeting of the Maryleborie Vestry, on Saturday, Mr.

Nicholay proposed a resolution of thanks to Sir Benjamin Hall and Lord Dudley Stuart, for "the faithful and efficient discharge of their Parliamentary duties, and for their diligent attention to the local interests of the borough." Mr. F. H. Bridgman, a political opponent, seconded the re- solution, and Sir James Hamilton, another opponent, supported it. Mt. Michell, however, while supporting the resolution, expressed his regret that Sir Benjamin Hall had become allied with such a Government as the present, and had taken the control of a department which was in such ill-odour with the people. The resolution having been unanimously car- ried, the two Members entered the room and returned thanks.

In doing so, Sir Benjamin Hall gave a history of his appointment, and the part which the Government had taken in the matter, which be de- scribed as alike honourable to the Vestry and himself.

When the vote for the Board of Health was proposed in Committee of Sup- ply, on the 6th of July, Sir Benjamin, then ill, left his house, and, in lee place in Parliament, urged that the vote should not be taken until the Go- vernment had stated what was to be the constitution of the Board. The vote was accordingly postponed. A bill was introduced, to which there were great objections, and an adverse division, on the 31st, stopped its.furthex progress. Another bill was introduced, on the 1st of August, based on the representations made by Lord Seymour and Sir Benjamin, to the effect that. the head of the Board should be an officer responsible to the public through the medium of the Howie of Commons. The bill was rapidly carried throug Parliament ; and it became evident that the Government must select some person to fill the office at the head of the new Board. "Various rummy° were afloat ; but I knew nothing of the intentions of the Government until Sunday last, when a gentleman holding office in the Government called uPer! me, and informed me that it was the wish of the Government that I shoula undertake the duties of President of the Board of Health, which ottice to be established under the bill that had been passed through the House ca Commons, and was to be carried up to the House of Lords on Monday. OY tha I was grateful for the honour intended me, but if I were olusalgeder wtolive ant answer Itt thalt should I must decline it. I said, if I was be prepared to give an answer after allowed till the following y, due deliberation and thought. This was on Sunday last. On Monday, owing that in consequence of .what had taken place I should receive a kn

co m

nenanication from the First mister of the Crown, I felt it my duty to take the advice of those with whom I act in public life. I stated the case, ,equesti0g their opinion without intruding my own feelings on the matter. I v lf in their hands, and said, if they thought it would be an ad- vp myself the public, I would accept it, but that I should not hesitate to decline the office if they thought there was any other Member wtiose accept- ance of the office would be more beneficial and would give greater strength to the party. I wish it to be distinctly understood that I never solicited the appointment; it was a yontaneous offer on the part of the Government, and it is due to the noble arI at the head of the Government, with whom I have hardly ever had any communication in my life except in my public character as your representative, to say. that I most deeply feel the very handsome manner in which he proposed it to me. I told the noble Earl, that I had consulted those with whom I usually act ; that it was their wish I should take the office ; and, as I found the Government unanimous in favour of my accepting it, I should do so, and endeavour to discharge the duties to the best of my ability. Thus the case stands. It is an office of a social rather than of a political character; it is a laborious one, requiring great care, thought, and consideration; and I stated that if I did undertake anything of the kind, I should endeavour to carry out to the fullest possible extent the principles of local self-government. The Government have placed that confidence in me which I hope I shall merit, and that I shall be able to justify the recommendation of the First Minister of the Crown, which her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve. My interview with the Prime Minister was on Monday, and it may be asked why I did not make some public announcement of it previously to this morning when my ad- dress appeared ? The only answer I have to give is, that it would have been improper in me to do anything. until I had received an intimation of her Majesty's approbation : her Majesty's pleasure was signified to me at a late hour in the afternoon of Friday, aud I immediately Bent off nay address to the public papers, in order to apprize all who were interested at the earliest possible moment."

Having described the steps and process of his exaltation, Sir Benjamin went on to speak of the future. As the Metropolis is specially excluded from the jurisdiction of the Board of Health, all he could do must be done by advice and suggestions. He should not attempt to interfere in the Me- tropolis; and in other districts the Board should be one of supervision, ad- vice, and counsel, rather than one of an arbitrary character. The rate-pay- en ought to undertake as much as possible themselves. But if the local powers are inactive, it will be the duty of the Minister to atop in and take part with the public. He hoped he should be able next session to bring in a bill that would be approved by the Provinces. Should the Government consult him as to the future legislation of the Metropolis, he should endea- vour to carry out the principle of local self-government. Lord Dudley Stuart added his testimony that Sir Benjamin Hall not only did not solicit the office, but had actually named another gentleman, whom he had urged the Government to appoint.

At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Pancras, on Monday, Sir Benjamin Hall repeated the explanations he had given on Saturday ; and again stating that his idea of his duties was that he should suggest and advise, not command, quoted his first circular to that effect, issued from the Board of Health on Saturday. Here also a vote of thanks to the two Members was passed by the Vestry.

The refilection of Sir Benjamin Hall as Member for Marylebone took place on Wednesday. Sir Benjamin was proposed by Mr. Hume, and seconded by Mr. Stockton. A mad sort of 'protest" was handed in to the returning-officer by a Mr. Dickey; whose objection was, that they were proceeding with "indecent haste" to return "a Government Minister belonging to an unpopular Administration." Mr. Hume ex- pressed his belief that Sir Benjamin Hall would discharge the duties of his office with honour to himself and advantage to his country : "his past conduct, his abilities as a man of business, and the steadiness of his adherence to Liberal principles," were an earnest of his future career. Sir Benjamin, in his speech at the hustings, explained again the reasons that induced him to accept the post unsolicited of President of the Board of Health. He dwelt much on the great importance of selecting Ministers from wealthy and intelligent boroughs like Marylebone ; and promised that he should continue to vote for a ratepaying suffrage, shorter Par- liaments, the ballot, and the repeal of the taxes on knowledge.

In consequence of the secretary to the omnibus-proprietors having written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, such alterations in the re- quirements of the Commissioners of Police with regard to the size of omnibuses have been made, that all "difficulties" have been removed, and there will be no "strike." It has been remarked—and not with ap- probation—that the letter written in the name of the Chancellor of the Exchequer is signed "Francis Lawley."

At a Special Court of the Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers, on Thursday, Mr. R. Jebb, the Chairman, stated that he had called on Sir Benjamin Hall, in order that there might be cooperation between the Commission and the Board of Health ; and that Sir Benjamin had shown every readiness to act in unison with the Commission. Mr. Jebb further stated, that the Boards of Guardians, Vestries, and parochial authorities generally, would be better fitted to carry out the Nuisances Removal Act than the Commission ; and as they have equal powers with the Com- mission, he thought they should undertake the removal of nuisances, while the Commissioners do their utmost to provide efficient drainage with a view to meet the cholera. He also promised to see that the va- rious open ditches, now used as sewers, are kept constantly cleansed and purified by the use of lime.

There was a singular oecuerence at the Central Criminal Court on Mon- day. William Shepherd pleaded " guilty " to embezzling 31. 5s., the pro- Perty of his employer, Mr. Fenwiek. The prisoner received an excellent character : he had been in business in the City for many years, but, in con- !.equence of reduced circumstances, he had been compelled to take a situa- tion. Mr. Russell Gurney was about to pass sentence, when the prisoner re- marked, that he admitted he had received the money, but he had debited

himself for the amount in the toes books ; he did not intend to ap- Propriate it, but his pocket haltiair picked, and he had been unable to re- place it. Mr. Fenwick admitted that Shepherd had really debited himself as L'o stated. Mr. Gurney then observed, that this was not a case of embezzle- ment, but of debt. Shepherd was allowed to plead "Not guilty," and he was acquitted. Mr. Crutehley, a tradesman in Fleet Street, was tried for a misdemeanour in refusing to serve as overseer of the parish. When elected he declined to serve, and would not pay the fine. Mr. Ballantine said Mr. Crutchley's ob- jection was, that he was incompetent, from his nervous and exciteable tem- perament. Mr. Baron Martin explained, that persous are bound to serve or pay the fine. A verdict of guilty NM taken ; and Mr. Crutchley was or- dered to pay the fine of ten pounds and the coats of the indictment.

On Thursday, Henry William Hall was convicted of setting fire to a dwellinghouse, with intent to defraud the Westminster Fire-office. The evidence was circumstantial, but conclusive ; and it told the old story. Hall kept a coffeehouse in Fleet Street ; he insured the contents for an exorbitant sum ; one night the place was left untenanted—a fire broke out, and it was consumed. Hall made a large claim on the insurance-office ; but afterwards he absconded. Sentence, transportation for life.

The Lambeth Magistrate has had an extraordinary ease of assault before him. Last week, Mr. Stewart Ker, a gentleman residing in Brompton Cres- cent, went with his wife to Beulah Spa. In the gardens, he was assaulted by Mr. Francis Robert Newton, and his brother, Mr. William Philip Newton, the sons of a gentleman residing in Curzon Street. Francis Newton, holding a heavy whip, with the thong wound round his wrist, demanded an "ex- planation," which Mr. Ker refused to give ; whereupon Francis beat him over the head with the handle, and William struck him once with a stick. The blows of the whip caused a great loss of blood ; Mr. Ker was carried off; and it was found that he had suffered a concussion of the brain. At the first examination of the Newtons, on Saturday, a surgeon's certificate was put in pronouncing Mr. Ker not out of danger. The Newtons were liberated on heavy bail, until Monday ; when a fresh certificate was produced, and evi- dence was taken to show that Mr. Ker was still in danger. On Tuesday, it was proved that he was even not in a fit state to be examined in his own room : he could not recognize his wife, nor move his hands, nor open his mouth, nor hear what was said to him. Again on Wednesday there was another examination ; when the dangerous symptoms not having abated, Mr. Elliott remanded the prisoners for a week. Bail was refused for Francis, and he was sent to Horaemonger Lane Gaol ; but William was liberated upon heavy recognizances. The origin of the assault has not transpired.

The new Beer Act was brought into operation in London last Sunday with little disturbance, most of the publicans willingly aiding the Police in car- rying it out. But " travellers " who had been on excursions to distant places were much chagrined on arriving in town at night after ten o'clock to find they could obtain no " refreshment"—the publicans refused to supply them, lest others than "travellers" should be served.

On Monday, instead of thirty or forty "drunken charges" at Southwark Police Office, as there usually have been on that day, there was but one. "The Irish" were reported to have gone peaceably to bed, instead of drink- ing and rioting. In other districts nearly similar facts are reported.

There was a fatal " accident " on the North London Railway on Monday night. In the evening, much confusion had been caused by a train break- ing down at Kingsland, and the consequent accumulation of passengers at the stations. At night, a heavy luggage-train left Hayden Square for Cam- den Town ; near Ball's Pond Bridge, the two engines drawing it proved in- sufficient to carry it forward on a steep incline, and the train stopped. A guard ran back to warn an approaching passenger-train ; but on his way, he was terrified by seeing the luggage-train running back down the incline and round a curve ; at that moment the passenger-train came up, and a collision was unavoidable. There was a great crash ; the tender of the passenger- train was crushed and turned up, and the break-van and a waggon of the goods-train were broken to pieces. The engine-driver was taken up dead, two guards were much cut and bruised, and the stoker was frightfully scalded. Several of the passengers were hurt : two had ribs fractured. The cause of the disaster was this : the drivers of the goods-train had incau- tiously unhooked their engines, that they might pump water into the boilers to get up steam ; the waggons instantly started down the incline on which they stood.

A range of lofty workshops, 380 feet long by 65 to 80 feet deep, at Messrs. Cubitt's works at Thames Bank, Pimlico, were burnt down on Wednesday night. The buildings and contents were insured.

Complaints having been made of the foul state of the water in the London Docks, as dangerous to the public health in this sickly season, the Dock authorities have been endeavouring to remedy the evil by allowing portions of the water to run out at intervals and replacing it from the river ; but this has failed to make the contents of the basins any purer; and the Dock- masters and Superintendent point out that the real cause of the nuisance is the fact that we have running through our city a great sewer which we call a river—if filthy water be let out of the docks at ebb-tide, equally filthy water comes in at the flood.