234 On the Rhode-Island Coal. 



more patience is bestowed in kindling the fire, than is 

 usually afforded by those who are accustomed to the 

 burning of wood. The coal should be broke into 

 small pieces, and a proportion of charcoal placed under 

 it ; when this is set fire to, the draft of the flue should 

 be increased by proper management of the door or re- 

 gister of the furnace, or by blowers applied to the 

 chimney. In a short time the whole is ignited ; it ne- 

 ver, requires stirring, and no further trouble is neces- 

 sary, but to keep the lower bars of the grate free from 

 ashes, or any substance that would interrupt the free cir- 

 culation of air. A fire, made in this manner, will con- 

 tinue to produce considerable heat for six or eight hours, 

 without a renewal of fuel, and with only an occasional 

 attention to keep up the draft of the flue. 



I have thus been led into a more detailed view of this 

 subject than I originally intended. Conscious that it af- 

 fords a field for a much abler pen, I should, perhaps, 

 stop here, but my excuse must be found in an anxiety 

 to direct the attention to the encouragement of those 

 manufactures, for which the present state of this coun- 

 try is peculiarly calculated. I should pay but an ill 

 compliment, indeed, to the American character, were I 

 not free! v to acknowledge, that for talents arid genius 

 there can be none superior. The same spirit of en- 

 terprize, which has led them to the successful pursuit 

 of commerce, will naturally induce them, at a proper 

 season, to turn their attention to those arts and manu- 

 factures, which are b I to the skill of the inha- 

 bitants, and are most intimately connected with the nc- 

 ; ' the countrv. 



