_Dictionary of Musicians._--I have now before me _A Dictionary of Musicians_, &c., second edition, 2 vols. 8vo., Longman and others, 1827. I should be glad to know whether there is any more recent edition, or anybody engaged in preparing one; or whether there is any more recent and complete work of the kind. This one contains much information, but might be greatly improved by omissions, corrections, and additions.
[_The Biographical Dictionary of Musicians_ noticed by our correspondent is very incorrect in its details. There is another work of the same kind in preparation, but is not expected to be published for some months. The latest works on the subject are the German _Lexicon der Tonkunst_ in several 8vo. volumes, and that by M. Fetis, which appeared about four years since at Brussels, and pronounced both comprehensive and correct.]
_City of London Charter._--What was the cause of the City charter being forfeited in the year 1683?
In a trial, _The King_ v. _The City of London_, judgment was given against the City, whereby the charter was forfeited.
[An information brought against the Mayor and citizens of London was "for usurping of divers franchises and liberties within the said city, and for assuming to themselves an unlawful power to levy several great sums of money, as well upon the said citizens of London as strangers; and in particular upon those which come to the markets of the said city, by colour of the laws and ordinances in their Common Council by them in fact ordained and established, without any other right or authority." The circumstance which gave occasion for this _quo warranto_ to be brought against the City charter, was a petition the Court of Aldermen and City made to the King, upon his prorogation of Parliament, when they were going to try several noblemen concerned in the Popish plot; but especially for their printing and publishing the petition, which was considered seditious. For particulars relating to this celebrated trial, we must refer our correspondent to the following tracts:--_The Case of the Charter of London Stated_, fol. 1683. This is an ingenious treatise against the charter. _A Defence of the Charter and Municipal Rights of the City of London_, by Thomas Hunt, 4to.; _The Lawyer Outlawed; or a Brief Answer to Mr. Hunt's Defence of the Charter_, 4to. 1683; _The Forfeitures of London's Charter, or an Impartial Account of the several Seisures of the City Charter_, 4to. 1682; _Reflections on the City Charter, and Writ of Quo Warranto_, 4to. 1682; _The City of London's Plea to the Quo Warranto_, (an information) _brought against their Charter in Michaelmas Term_, 1681, fol. 1682. A summary account of the whole proceedings will be found in Maitland's _History of London_, vol. i. pp. 473-484.]