"This very portrait of King Charles the First, engraved by
Marshall, adorned the original edition of the [Greek: Eikon
Basilikae]. 8vo. 1648. _The same portrait, as large as life, in
oil painting, was afterwards put up in many of our churches._"
When I was a boy, such a portrait, in oil painting, hung upon the south
wall of the body of St. Michael's Church, Cambridge, between the pulpit
and a small door to the west, leading into the south aisle.
Out of the window of the chamber in which the King was kneeling was
represented a storm at sea, and the ship being driven by it upon some
rocks.
A few years ago, upon visiting Cambridge, I went purposely to St.
Michael's Church to see this picture, which had been so familiar to me
in my boyhood. The clerk told me it had been taken down, and was in the
vestry. In the vestry I found it, on its side, on the floor against the
wall. {138}
You are probably aware that this St. Michael's Church was nearly
destroyed by fire not many weeks since; that a committee is established
to arrange its restoration.
Would it not be worth while that some inquiry should be made about the
fate of this picture?