Chester.
_Historical Engraving._--I have an ancient engraving, size 143/4 in. wide and
113/4 in. high, without title or engraver's name, which I should be {620}
glad to authenticate. It appears to represent Charles II. at the Hague in
1660.
The foreground is occupied by groups of figures in the costume of the
period. In the distance is seen a street in perspective, down which the
royal carriage is proceeding, drawn by six horses. On one side is a row of
horses, on the other an avenue of trees. To the right of this is a canal,
on the bank of which a battery of seven guns is firing a salute. The
opposite bank is occupied by public buildings.
In the air a figure of Fame holds a shield charged with the royal arms of
England, surrounded by a garter, without the motto. Five cherubs in various
positions are dispersed around, holding respectively a globe, a laurel
crown, palm branches, &c., and a crowned shield bearing a lion rampant, and
a second with a stork, whose beak holds a serpent.
A portion of the zodiacal circle, containing Libra, Scorpio, and
Sagittarius, marks, I suppose, the month in which the event took place.