1. The most northerly contains two statues, viz., of King William and Queen Mary, subscribed _Gulielmus III. Rex_, _& Maria II. Regina_, _A.D._ 1688. _S. P. Q. Londin’ Optim Principibus_, _P. C._ 1695. 2. _Anna Regina Dei Gratia Mag. Britan’ Franciæ & Hiberniæ_, 1701. 3. George I. inscribed _Georgius D. G. Magnæ Britan’ Franciæ & Hiberniæ Rex_, _Anno Dom._ 1714. _S.P.Q.L._ 4. Southerly the statue of King George II. in the habiliment of a Cæsar, wreathed on the head, and a battoon or truncheon in his hand, little differing from that of Charles II. in the centre of the area, only in looking northward; inscribed _Georgius II. D. G. Mag. Brit. Fra. & Hib. Rex_, _Anno Dom._ 1727. _S.P.Q.L._ On the four sides of the piazza within the Exchange are twenty-eight niches, which are all vacant yet, except one near the north-west angle, where is the figure of Sir Thomas Gresham. The piazza itself is paved with black and white marble, and the court, or area, pitched with pebbles; in the middle whereof is the statue of King Charles II. in a Roman habit, with a battoon in his hand, erected on a marble pedestal, about eight feet high and looking southward; on which side of the pedestal, under an imperial crown, wings, trumpet of fame, sceptre and sword, palm branches, &c., are these words inscribed, viz.:— _Carolo II. Cæsari Britannico_, _Patriæ Patri_, _Regum Optimo Clementissimo Augustissimo_, _Generis Humani Deliciis_, _Utriusq_; _Fortunæ Victori_, _Pacis Europæ Arbitro_, _Marium Domino_, _ac Vindici Societatis Mercatorum Adventur’ Angliæ_, _quæ per CCCC jam prope Annos Regia benignitate floret_, _Fidei Intemeratæ & Gratitudinis æternæ hoc Testimonium venerabunda posuit_, _Anno Salutis Humanæ_ 1684. On the west side of the pedestal is neatly cut in relievo the figure of a Cupid reposing his right hand on a shield containing the arms of England and France quartered, and in his left hand a rose. On the north side are the arms of Ireland on a shield, supported by a Cupid. On the east side the arms of Scotland, with a Cupid holding a thistle all in relievo. The inner piazza and court are divided into several stations, or walks, where the merchants of the respective nations, and those who have business with them, assemble distinctly; so that any merchant or commander of a vessel is readily found, if it be known to what country he trades. The several walks are described in the following ground-plot of the Exchange:— [Picture: Ground plot of the Royal Exchange] Near the south gate is a spacious staircase, and near the north gate another, that lead up to the galleries, on each side whereof are shops for milliners and other trades, to the number of near two hundred, which brought in a good revenue at first, nothing being thought fashionable that was not purchased there; but the milliners are now dispersed all over the town, and the shops in the Exchange almost deserted.