132 



The Country House 



it need not be an unsightly feature if planned for in the first place. The globe 

 might be red, with "Fire Hose" ground in it. This is essential, as it might be a 



guest who would dis- 

 cover the fire. A 

 2 - i n c h standpipe 

 from the main ser- 

 vice or, in the ex- 

 treme, the attic tank 

 will supply these. 

 I he ordinary pails 

 of water in the cellar 

 kitchen and attic are 

 handy and effect! \r. 

 If the attic tank be 

 employed, a length 

 ot hose may be 

 handy for attach- 

 ment to the main 

 that supplies it. 



The above pre- 

 cautions are im- 

 portant. They are 

 always ready, and 

 much time is saved. 

 A fire checked in 

 Him- may mean the 

 saving ot lives and 

 money. 



The question of 

 whether or not the 

 lightning rod is 

 really useful or is an 

 invitation to destruc- 

 tion has not as yet 

 been d e fi n i t e 1 y 

 settled ; even the best 

 experts disagree. If 

 used, they should be 

 of copper, which is 

 the best conductor, 



and they should be properly insulated and grounded deep enough to reach moist 

 earth. The neglect to attend to these two points is probably the cause of the utter 

 worthlessness, and even dangerous qualities, of most lightning rods. The ordi- 

 nary metal gutter and conductor, if connected with points on the roof and the 

 moist earth at the bottom, will be less ugly and fully as effective as the regular rod. 

 Moisture is a great conductor of electricity; this fact should be remembered. 



A most excellent rendering, influenced by the styles of Louis XV. and XVI. 



