Fireplaces, Chimneys and Fireproofing 



121 



their graves. Bric- 

 a-brac is best used 

 sparingly; a mantel 

 should not be clut- 

 tered with it. The 

 clock, a couple of 

 vases, and perhaps 

 a pair of candle- 

 sticks, should 

 answer the purpose. 

 There may be cases 

 where more is de- 

 sirable, but each ad- 

 dition to the above 

 tends to more; big 

 museums are 

 stocked in just this 

 manner. 



The common 

 forms of adorning 

 the over-mantel are 

 by the use of the 

 mirror or the paint- 

 ing. These are best 

 confined within cer- 

 tain lines, which are 

 naturally a part of 

 the design. In the 

 case of the mirror it 

 is better that the 

 clock should not 

 cut across it awk- 

 wardly; the clock 

 back is not apt to 

 give a beautiful re- 

 flection, as is the 

 case with the vase. 

 Anything which is 



not intended to be inspected from all sides should be thus considered. In the 

 case of the painting, nothing should be allowed to interfere with its outline, and for 

 this reason it should be placed high enough above the mantel shelf to avoid such 

 possibility. 



Draperies and textiles of all sorts should be kept away from the fire breast; 

 their inflammability makes them dangerous, and for this reason, as well as others, 

 they look out of place. 



On general principles, the country house requires a less elaborate fireplace than 



A modern hooded Gothic example at Fairhaven, Mass. Charles Brigham, architect 



