taken by storm, Rigby saving himself by flight. The Prince, in a few days after, sent to his cousin Lady Charlotte, by Sir Richard Crane, Knight, twenty-two colours taken at Bolton, many of which had waved before Lathom House a few days previously.

The Countess of Derby had under her command in defence of Lathom House against Colonels Rigby, Holland and Asheton, -six Captains:

1. Captain Henry Ogle of Prescot.-He had been taken prisoner at Edgehill.

2. Captain Edward Chisnel of Chisnel,-who had, subsequently, a regiment given him.

3. Captain Edward Rawstorne of Newall,-a branch of whose family now resides at Penwortham Hall. (Sheriff of Lancashire 1814).

4. Captain William Farmer, a Scotch gentleman, made major of the garrison, and who is described as a faithful and gallant soldier,

5. Captain Charnock of Charnock.

Six Lieutenants:-1. Lieutenant Bretargh-2. Lieutenant Kay-3. Lieut. Heap-4. Lieut. Penketh-5. Lieut. Worrall -6. Lieut. Walthews,

William Farington, of Werden, Esq. also bore a conspicuous part: for assisting and attending on her ladyship all his personal estate and effects were seized, and his land sequestrated by Parliament. The number of soldiers was 300-150 of whom alternately watched by night, except sixteen select marksmen, who kept the tower watch all the day. There were only seven barrels of powder expended, and six men lost, in the whole siege. Two of these through their own imprudence. The enemy lost 500 men, and had 140 wounded.

Their loss at Bolton, amounted to 1600 men killed, and 700 taken prisoners.

After this, Lathom House was placed under Capt. Edward Rawstorne, who was made Colonel of Foot, and had with him one regiment of foot and two of horse.-It was stoutly defended for two years more, but was ultimately given up to the Parliamentarians.

At the Restoration, Lathom House returned into the possession of the Earl of Derby; but having been almost entirely destroyed, the family residence was fixed at Knowsley, William Richard George, the ninth Earl of Derby, however, intending to rebuild this seat, erected in the same situation a sumptuous and lofty front, which composes a part of the south front of the present house, but did not live to complete his design. After his death, it devolved to his eldest daughter Henrietta, married first to the Earl of Anglesey, and secondly to Lord Ashburnam, who sold it to Henry Furnese, Esq. from whom it was purchased in 1724, by Sir Thomas Bootle Knight, of Melling in this county, afterwards Chancellor to Frederick Prince of Wales, whose niece and heiress married Richard Wilbraham, Esq. of Rode Hall, in Cheshire; and their eldest son, Edward Bootle Wilbraham, Esq. M. P. is the present possessor.*

The Road to the Meols

From Ormskirk, goes directly past the Church, and at the second turning branches off to the left, continuing almost in a direct line to Scarisbrick bridge. This is built over the canal from Liverpool to Wigan. Carriages attend here, daily, during the season, from the hotels at Southport, for the purpose of conveying passengers from, or to, the places

above mentioned.

Scarisbrick bridge is about three miles

from Ormskirk, and five and a half from Southport.

Near this place is SCARISBRICK HALL, the venerable seat of the ancient family of that name, to one of whom a mural monument is erected in Ormskirk Church. It has been much improved by its present possessor, Thomas Scarisbrick, Esq. who is Lord of the manors of Scarisbrick, Halsall, and Downholland. To its late owner, Thomas Eccleston, Esq. the neighbourhood is greatly indebted, for his spirited improvements in agriculture. For his exertions in draining MartinMeer, he was presented with the gold medal, by the Society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce.

From Mr. Eccleston's account of the undertaking, communicated to the society in 1786, and published in the seventh volume of their transactions, it appears that this was attempted so late back as 1692 by Mr. Fleetwood, whose monument at CHURCH TOWN records the transaction, speaking most positively to the success of the attempt, though these sanguine expectations were not well grounded. This subject will be resumed, when we come to speak of the neighbourhood of Church Town.

The low situation of Scarisbrick Hall, and the flatness of the surrounding country, prevent its being seen to advantage from a distance; but two new approaches are now laid out, from the road between Ormskirk and Southport. By these, when completed, the visitor will be imperceptibly led to points of view in which the gothic architecture will make its due impression.

A Chaplain was always maintained in this family, and used to perform service regularly within the Mansion House, to which the domestics and tenantry were admitted. The increased population rendering this inconvenient, Mr. Scarisbrick has provided a Chapel, and a residence for the Priest, at a convenient distance from the Hall."

It is said that the heads of this family have been Lords of Scarisbrick for at least seven centuries.

Leaving Scarisbrick bridge, the road winds a little, and then continues in a strait direction, nearly, for more than three miles. The country here is flat, and the only object of importance is Church Town Spire, on the right, preserving, for a considerable length of time, almost the same apparent distance.

About a mile from Row Lane, where the road turns abruptly to the left, Southport Church becomes visible, and immediately before you a large mansion, now building for a Rectory, is distinctly seen. This, when finished, will be an excellent and commodious residence.

Immediately at the turn, a good house has been erected, which is occupied by Mr. Walker, as an Academy for young gentlemen, where they are instructed in every branch of Science, connected with Commerce and Literature. The situation is pleasant and healthy. From the Specimens of Penmanship, Mechanical and Topographical drawings, and surveying, I have already seen, I feel no hesitation in saying that Mr. Walker merits encouragement. The productions

were highly creditable both to him and his pupils.

The view of the Sea is entirely obstructed by the Sand Hills, but these bespeak the welcome approach to

Southport.

This place is so completely altered, since 1809, that it is recognised, with difficulty, by those who knew the village seventeen years ago. At that time, there were only about 38 dwellings, with a population, scarcely amounting to one hundred individuals. Now, there are, at least, 215 houses, and the resident population is upwards of six hundred.

Instead of a few scattered cottages, disposed according to the taste, or convenience, of the owners;-there is now, a long main street, 88 yards wide, composed of handsome brick houses, with gardens in front,

besides two back streets,

which are rapidly forming, running parallel with the principal

street.

Table of the distances of places, and their bearings, from Southport.

N. B. The bearings are taken from Greenwood's Map.

Southport is delightfully situated on the coast of the Irish Sea, about 53°. 38' 40'. N. Lat: and 2o. 59'. 45". West Long: -Being at so great a distance from the mouth of the Ribble, its waters are pure and unadulterated; and the mildness of the air, which is here very remarkable, is, unquestionably, extremely congenial to weak and relaxed habits. Dr. Brandreth termed it "the Montpelier of England."

The beach is perfectly smooth and hard, of immense extent, and without any quicksands, stones, or pools of water, which are often found so very disagreeable, and sometimes dangerous. The sea flows so far inland, that it is immaterial whether you go there at the spring or ebb tides.

The name of the district is South Hawes,* and to Mr. Sutton of Church Town, the public are certainly indebted for laying the foundation of the first Hotel about the year 1792. Before that time, those who resorted to this coast for the purpose of bathing, visited Church Town, and were brought down here at tide

"Hawes"-in Doomsday Book-" Mansions" or "Dwelling-houses."