The Building of the Nest 



dykes, with a common purpose the 

 comfort of those they serve. 



The chimney breast that forms the 

 setting for the fires I love so well 

 was built of the long flat two-by- 

 twelve inch mottled Roman bricks. 

 It is a trifle over four feet high and 

 seven and a half in width. The fire- 

 place proper is four by two feet six. 

 The interior depth two feet. The fire- 

 floor, of the same brick, set on edge, 

 extends outward sixteen inches to form 

 the hearth. The shelf at the top is a 

 twelve-inch piece of oak with plain 

 moulding below, without carving or 

 ornamentation of any sort. The pro- 

 portions are believed to be good, and 

 the general effect is one of solidity and 

 practical utility for the purpose in- 

 tended. The andirons sweep forward 

 first, then back and out again in 

 graceful curves. The fender is of iron 

 and a big steel screen arrests the 

 sparks. And then, of course, tongs, 

 poker, shovel, and a little broom. Just 



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