"
--_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.
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