‘Charles the Second, son of Charles the Martyr, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, a most gracious Prince, commiserating the deplorable state of things, whilst the ruins were yet smoaking, provided for the comfort of his citizens, and ornament of his city, remitted their taxes, and referred the petition of the magistrates and inhabitants to parliament; who immediately passed an act, that public works should be restored to greater beauty, with public money, to be raised by an impost on coals; that the churches, and the cathedral of St. Paul’s, should be rebuilt from their foundations, with the utmost magnificence: that bridges, gates, and prisons should be new erected, the sewers cleansed, the streets made straight and regular, such as were steep levelled, and those too narrow to be made wider. Markets and shambles removed to separate places. They also enabled, that every house should be built with party walls, and all in front raised of equal height; that those walls should be of square stone or brick; and that no man should delay building beyond the space of seven years. Moreover, care was taken by law to prevent all 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 whether with greater speed or beauty, may be made a question. In three years time the world saw that finished, which was supposed to be the work of an age.’ The inscription on the east side contains the names of the Lord Mayors from the time of its being begun, till its being compleated; and round the upper part of the pedestal is the following inscription in English. ‘This pillar was set up in perpetual remembrance of the most dreadful burning of this protestant city, begun and carried on by the treachery and malice of the popish faction in the beginning of September, in the year of our Lord 1666, in order to the carrying on their horrid plot for extirpating the protestant religion, and Old English Liberty, and introducing popery and slavery.’ This inscription, upon the Duke of York’s accession to the crown, was immediately erased; but soon after the revolution it was restored again.