LATHAM, (Lancashire) in the neighbourhood of Coal-Pits, and near Ormskirk, was the seat of the Stanleys, Es. of Derby;
whose ancestor, Sir John, married the sole heiress of Sir Tho. de Latham, who brought him this seat, and a large estate.
The manor-house was defended so gallantly by Charlotte Css. of Derby, against the Pt. forces, that they were forced to
abandon it; though afterwards they took it, and laid it almost level with the ground. In the park here is a mineral water,
or spaw, called Maudlin's-Well, which is a chalybeat, and has wrought notable cures, It was walled in and covered, at the
expence of Charles late E. of Derby. Though it is remote from the sea, or any salt rs. it used to cast up marine shells in
such quantities, that they became troublesome to the drinkers, till it was prevented by laying mill-stones on the spring,
that hindered the sand and shells from boiling up so high as formerly. Sir Tho. Bootle has a magnificent seat here. An oil
is extracted from a bituminous earth here, which preserves raw flesh, and serves the country people instead of candles.