The Complete Writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne (Volume 19); Notes of Travel - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Hall, Julian discovered an inscription on the red freestone lintel, and, though much timeworn, I succeeded in reading it. "Labor OmNia Vincit. 1614. "There were likewise some initials which I could not satisfactorily make out. The sense of this motto would rather befit the present agricultural occupants of the house than the idle gentlefolks who built and formerly inhabited it. August 25. -- On Thursday I went by invitation to Smithell's Hall, in Bolton le Moors, to dine and spend the night. The Hall is two or three miles from the town of Bolton, where I arrived by railway from Liverpool, and which seems to be a pretty large town, though the houses are generally modern, or with modernized fronts of brick or stucco. It is a manufacturing town, and the tall brick chimneys rise numerously in the neighborhood, and are so near Smithell's Hall that I suspect the atmosphere is somewhat impregnated with their breath. Mr, can comfort himself with the rent which he receives from the factories erected upon his own grounds ; and I suppose the value of his estate has greatly increased by the growth of manufactories; although, unless he wish to sell it, I do not see what good this can do him. Smithell's Hall is one of the oldest residences of England, and still retains very much the aspect that it must have had several centuries ago. The house formerly stood around all four sides of a quadrangle, enclosing a court, and with an entrance through an archway. One side of this quadrangle was removed in the time of the present Mr. 's father, and the front is now formed by the-remaining three sides. They look exceedingly ancient and venerable, with their range of gables and lesser peaks. The house is probably timber framed throughout, and is overlaid with plaster, and its g...