16 DECEMBER 1837, Page 18

Mr.CHARLES MACKAY'S History cf London, is a pleasant com- pendium

of the origin, growth, state, and fortunes of our metro- polis, from the time of the Romans to the visit of Queen VICTORIA on Lord Mayor's Day. The public characters and commotions- the leading historical events in which the city, personified by its corporation, was engaged—with the pastimes, reputation, wealth, manners, and morals of its citizens of all degrees—are plainly told; but the compiler might, we think, have caught some of the cha- racteristics and spirit of the old chroniclers, his authorities, with- out being infected by their diffuseness. Mr. MACKAY'S graphic quotations tell strikingly against his own measured and rather commonplace style. The following charter of WILLIAM the Conqueror to the City of London, is a specimen of one of the quotations; and a capital one it is for distinctness, brevity, and pith. The term " law- worthy," means exempt from feudal authority.

" William the King salutes William the Bishop, and Godfrey the Portreve, and all the burgesses within London, both French and English. And I declare that I grant you to be all law•worthy, as you were in the days of King Edward; and I grout that every child shall be his father's heir, after his father's days; anil I will not suffer any person to do you wrong. God save you."