This is to be seen in Cannon Street, against the wall of St. Swithin’s church, where it has long been preserved. It is now cased with stone-work, and guarded by an iron bar and spikes, but still remains open to view. It has been supposed to be a standard, from which the Romans, when in England, computed their miles. Proclamations were formerly delivered from this stone to the people.
30. Guildhall.
This is the place where the public business of the corporation of London is transacted; and where the judges sit to hear and determine causes. In this hall the Court of Aldermen and Common Council have a very handsome chamber, or court-room, which is ornamented with a capital collection of paintings, presented to the City of London by the late worthy Alderman Boydell, who greatly promoted the arts. The fine painting by Mr. Copley, representing the siege of Gibraltar by the Spanish flotilla, and likewise an elegant marble statue of George III. our late venerable monarch, are well worth seeing by every admirer of the arts of painting and statuary.
Nearly opposite to the entrance of this fine building, and on each side of the clock, formerly stood two gigantic statues, commonly called Gog and Magog, supposed to be the figures of a Briton and a Saxon; but they are now removed to the west end of the hall, as they are seen in the picture, No. 31.
Two modern painted windows complete the decorations of this venerable building; the one representing the royal arms, the other those of the city of London.
32. The Mansion House,
Well, here are the Lord Mayor’s coach and six horses, standing opposite the Mansion House, which is the place of residence for every chief magistrate during his mayoralty. It is a stone building of magnificence, but appears the more heavy and gloomy from its confined situation.