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hundred and forty-five steps, ten inches and an half broad, and six-inch risers, and a balcony within thirty-two feet of the very top, which is terminated by a curious and spacious gilded flame. In this gallery persons are admitted, at a small price, to gratify themselves with a very extensive prospect.

On the north side is a Latin inscription; in English thus:

In the Year of Christ 1666, the 2d day of Sept. Eastward from hence, at the distance of 202 Foot (the height of this column) about Midnight a most terrible Fire broke out, which, driven on by a high Wind, not only wasted the adjacent Parts, but also Places very remote, with incredible Noise and Fury: It consumed 89 Churches, the City Gates, Guild-hall, many Publick Structures, Hospitals, Schools, Libraries, a vast number of stately Edifices, 13200 Dwelling Houses, 400 Streets; of 26 Wards, it utterly destroyed 15, and left 8 others shattered and half burnt; the Ruins of the City were 436 Acres, from the Tower by the Thames side, to the Temple Church, and from the NE. Gate along the City Wall to Holbourn bridge: To the Estates and Fortunes of the Citizens it was merciless, but to their Lives very favourable; that it might in all things resemble the last Conflagration of the World.

The Destruction was sudden; for in a small space of time, the same City was seen most flourishing and reduced to nothing.

Three Days after, when this fatal Fire had baffled all Human Counsels and Endeavours in the Opinion of all, as it were by the Will of Heaven it stop'd, and on every side was extinguish'd.

On the south side is also another inscription in Latin; Englished thus:

Charles II. Son of Charles the Martyr, King of great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, a most gracious Prince, commisera ting the deplorable State of things, while the Ruins were yet smoaking, provided for the Comfort of his Citizens and Ornament of his City, remitted their Taxes, and referred the Petitions of the Ma gistrates and Inhabitants to the Parliament, who immediately passed an Act, That Publick Works should be restored to a greater Beauty with Publick Money, to be raised by an Imposition on Coals; That Churches, and the Cathedral of St. Paul's should be rebuilt from their Foundation with all Magnificence; That Bridges, Gates and Prisons should be new made; the shores cleansed, the

Streets

Streets made straight and regular; such as were steep, levell'd; and those too narrow, made wider; and Markets and Shambles removed to separate Places. They also enacted, That every House should be built with Party Walls, and all in Front raised of equal height, and those Walls all of squared Stone or Brick; and that no man should delay building beyond the space of seven years. Moreover, care was taken by law to prevent law suits about their bounds. Anniversary Prayers were also enjoined; and to perpetuate the Memory thereof to Posterity, they caused this Column to be erected. The Work was carried on with diligence, and London is restored, but it is uncertain, whether with greater Speed or Beauty: A three years time finished what was supposed to be the Business of an Age.

On the east side is another inscription; thus English'd: This was begun, Sir Richard Ford, Kt. being Lord Mayor of London, in the Year 1671.

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And finished, Sir Thomas Davies, Kt. being Lord Mayor, in the Year 1677.

On the front or West side of the Die of the Pedestal of this noble column, is finely carved, a curious emblem of this tragical scene; the eleven principal figures done in Relievo, the rest in Basso Relievo, viz.

At the North end of the plane is represented in Basso Relievo, the city in flames, and the inhabitants in a consternation, with their arms extended upward, and crying out for succour. A little nearer the horizon are the arms, cap of maintenance, and other ensigns of the city's grandeur, partly buried under the ruins. On the ruins lies the figure of a woman with a civic crown, her breasts pregnant, and in her hand a sword; denoting the strong, plentiful, and well governed city of London in distress.

The sovereign (king Charles II.) is represented standing on an Arabathrum, or place ascended to by (three) steps, in

a Roman

a Roman habit, providing with his power and prudent directions (as is expressed by the inscription on the south side) for the comfort of his citizens, and ornament of his city. On the steps, stand in the king's presence, the figures of three women, that next his majesty representing Liberty, having in her right hand a hat, whereon is the word Libertas, denoting the freedom or liberty given to those that engaged three years in the work.

Another of the women is Ichnographia, with rule and compasses in one hand (the instruments whereby plans and designs are delineated in due proportion) and a scroll partly unrolled in the other hand, whereon such designs are to be drawn; and near this is a bee-hive, the known emblem of industry.

The third figure, represents Imagination, holding the emblem of invention, and having on her head wings, and small children (as being swift and fruitful), and on the border of her garment these words, Non Aliunde; all which shew, that the speedy re-erection of the city, is principally owing to liberty, imagination, contrivance, art, and industry.

And, to encourage the citizens, the figure of Time is employed in elevating the woman in distress; and Providence with his winged hand, containing an eye, promising Peace and Plenty, by pointing towards those two figures appearing above the clouds.

Behind the king are the implements of building, scaffolding, labourers carrying materials, &c. to rebuild the new city.

Partly within a camerated cell, under the sovereign's feet, appeareth Envy, diabolically enraged at the measures concerted, and the great prospect of success. He is endeavouring to renew the disaster, by blowing flames out of his mouth towards the distressed city. On the same plane, southward from the king, is a lion with one fore foot tied up and curbed by the left hand of Fortitude, in whose right hand is a sword; under these figures appears the muzzle of a cannon, denoting the deplorable loss and misfortune of

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