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proper contraction to limit the admission of cold air, and to 

 gain this end surely the usual large open square is objec- 

 tionable, even for the convenience of pots and pans, and 

 that of an arch preferable and in better taste ; but, what- 

 ever the form, the grate, and all round, should be well filled 

 in, the mantel placed as low as possible, and from its lower 

 edge and the sides, a regular slope of iron, slate, or cement 

 should extend to the flue. Sometimes a few feet of iron- 

 piping, leading up the chimney, is advisable, and in bad cases 

 this may be widened and made to hang close over the fire, like 

 a small canopy, for any appearance is better than smoke in a 

 house. Register grates are an improvemeut in some respects, 

 and suitable for chambers, but the valves should be left partly 

 open at all times. Smoke-boards, or iron fitments are in com- 

 mon use, but often ineffectual from want of depth, especially 

 at the sides. When required for temporary purposes, a piece 

 of board may be fixed with wedges between it and the 

 jambs ; and the poorest person has the power, if only the 

 will, to cure most smoky fire-places by fastening strong paper, 

 as several folds of an old newspaper pasted together, across 

 the top corners angularly, or the whole width, and of 

 sufficient depth. 



"With regard to the proper size of the flue, an Act of Par- 

 Hament requires it to be at least 10 inches in diameter, or 9 by 

 14 if square, for dwelling-houses, but I believe the statute is 

 little attended to. It must depend on the height and bends, 

 and also on the likely size of the fire and kind of fuel to be 

 used, but I suppose it should be much the same throughout, 

 and as round, straight, and smooth as possible. They gene- 

 rally appear formed too wide for the proper draught in small 

 dwellings, and the very narrowing of the top only increases 

 the obstruction. In building, all partitions between flues 

 should be most carefully limed, no wood-work should be 

 allowed to reach within some inches of their interior, lest it 

 should catch fire ; and if tubular pots are not used, I see 



