Ashby de la Zouch.
_Statue of Charles II._ (Vol. iv., p. 40.).--The following passage is
from Hughson's _History of London_, vol. ii. p. 521.:
"Among the adherents and sufferers in the cause of Charles II. was
Sir Robert Viner, alderman of London. After the Restoration the
worthy alderman, willing to show his loyalty and prudence, raised
in this place [_i. e._ the Stock's Market] the statue above
mentioned. The figure had been carved originally for John
Sobieski, king of Poland, but by some accident was left upon the
workman's hands. Finding the work ready carved to his hands, Sir
Robert thought that, with some alteration, what was intended for a
king of Poland might suit the monarch of Great Britain; he
therefore converted the Polander into an Englishman, and the Turk
underneath his horse into Oliver Cromwell; the turban on the last
figure being an undeniable proof of the truth attached to the
story. The compliment was so ridiculous and absurd, that no one
who beheld it could avoid reflecting on the taste of those who had
set it up; but as its history developed the farce improved, and
what was before esteemed contemptible, proved in the end
entertaining. The poor mutilated figure stood neglected some years
since among the rubbish in the purlieus of Guildhall; and in 1779,
it was bestowed by the common council on Robert Viner, Esq., who
removed it to grace his country seat."
The earliest engraving of "the King at the Stock's Market" may be seen
in Thomas Delaune's _Present State of London_, 12mo. 1681.