These statues are, on the south side; Edward I. Edward III. Henry V. Henry VI. On the west side, Edward IV. Edward V. with the crown hanging over his head; Henry VII. and Henry VIII. On the north side, Edward VI. Mary, Elizabeth, James I. Charles I. Charles II. and James II. And on the east side are William and Mary in one niche, Queen Anne, George I. and George II. All these statues were painted and gilt, by a voluntary subscription, in the year 1754. The four niches that are vacant, are those where Edward II. Richard II. Henry IV. and Richard III. should have been: upon which Maitland says, that hence it seems that the city had no mind to shew any respect to the said Kings, two of whom took away their charters, and the other two were usurpers. But why Henry IV. should be excluded as an usurper, and his brave son Henry V. and Henry VI. be placed there, who only enjoyed the crown in consequence of his usurpation, is not easily accounted for. Richard III. was indeed a monster of cruelty: but Mary was no less cruel, and yet a statue is here erected to her honour. Though Edward II. and Richard II. took away the charter of the city, King Charles II. did so too, and yet has three statues at the Royal Exchange; and his brother James II. who has also a statue, followed his brother’s steps, and not only humbled the city, but caused an Alderman to be hanged at his own door, without being allowed on his trial the time necessary to send for his witnesses. Under the piazzas within the Exchange are twenty-eight niches, all vacant except two; one in the north west angle, where is the statue of Sir Thomas Gresham, and another at the south west, of Sir John Barnard, who is perhaps the only citizen of London, that has had the honour of having his statue erected in his life-time merely on account of his merit. In short, in the center of the area is erected, on a marble pedestal about eight feet high, another statue of King Charles II. in a Roman habit, executed by Mr. Gibbon, and encompassed with iron rails. On the south side of the pedestal, under an imperial crown, a scepter, sword, palm branches, and other decorations, is the following inscription: Carolo II. Cæsari Britannico, Patriæ Patri, Regum Optimo, Clementissimo, Augustissimo, Generis Humani Deliciis, Utriusque Fortunæ Victori, Pacis Europæ Arbitro, Marium Domino ac Vindici, Societas Mercatorum Adventur. Angliæ, Quæ per CCCC jam prope Annos Regia benignitate floret, Fidei intemeratæ & Gratitudinis æternæ, Hoc Testimonium Venerabunda posuit, Anno Salutis Humanæ M. DC. LXXXIV.