'The Second Royal Exchange, Cornhill', (1897). The Royal Exchange was founded in the 16th century to act as a centre of commerce for the City of London. It was opened in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I who awarded the building its royal title and a licence to sell alcohol. The first building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and was rebuilt by Edward Jarman in 1669, (seen here). This second building was also destroyed by a fire, in 1838. From Old and New London, Volume I, by Walter Thornbury. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris & Melbourne, 1897]