—­Milton.

Smithills or Smethells Hall is situated in a wood, above a small glen, two miles and a half from Bolton.  The court-gate exhibits nothing remarkable in its construction.  On the left hand was the principal entrance, and a flight of stairs leading from the court.  The glass casements, and greater part of the ancient front, have been removed, giving place to a more comfortable, if not a more pleasing style of architecture.  The wainscot once displayed a profuse assemblage of ornaments, some of which now remain.  Amongst them was formerly shown a likeness, said to be of King Egbert, though from what cause it should be assigned more particularly to that illustrious monarch, it would be difficult to conjecture.

In a room called the Green Chamber, it is said that George Marsh, the subject of the following history, was examined before Sir Roger Barton.  In a passage near the door of the dining-room is a cavity, in a flag, bearing some resemblance to the print of a man’s foot, which is supposed to be the place where the holy martyr stamped, to confirm his testimony, and which is shown to this day as a memorial of his good confession.

The stone was once removed for a frolic by two or three young men who lived in the house.  Taking advantage of their parents’ absence, they cast it into the glen behind the hall.  That same night, on retiring to rest, the inhabitants were disturbed by many strange and hideous noises.  Much alarm and inquiry being excited, the offenders confessed, and the stone was restored to its place with great reverence and solemnity.  Some fragments that were broken off upon its removal were carefully replaced; after which, according to common report, the noises ceased.

Another story current in the neighbourhood is as follows:—­

About the latter end of the year 1732, one Saturday night, a stranger sleeping alone in the Green Chamber was much terrified by an apparition.  He stated that about ten o’clock, as he was preparing for bed, there appeared a person before him dressed like a minister, in a white robe and bands, with a book in his hand.  The stranger getting into bed, saw it stand by his bedside for a short time.  It then slowly retired out of the door, as if going down-stairs, and he saw it no more.  This person invariably persisted in the same story; and the owner of the estate immediately ordered divine service at the chapel on a Sunday, which had long been discontinued.

The vaults seem to have been strongly walled and fortified, and were most probably used as burying places, many bones having been found when digging.  There is a tradition that King Egbert founded this place, and kept his court here; but no corresponding trace of it occurs in history:  and we may suppose, from the order of his conquests, that his residence would be in the more southern parts of the kingdom.