Of Chimney Fireplaces. 487 



London ; for of above a hundred and fifty fireplaces 

 which have been altered in this city under my direction, 

 within these last two months, there is not one which has 

 not answered perfectly well.* And by several experi- 

 ments which have been made with great care, and with 

 the assistance of thermometers, it has been demon- 

 strated, that the saving of fuel, arising from these im- 

 provements of fireplaces, amounts in all cases to more 

 than half) and in many cases to more than two thirds, of 

 the quantity formerly consumed. Now as the altera- 

 tions in fireplaces which are necessary may be made at a 

 very trifling expense, as any kind of grate or stove may 

 be made use of, and as no iron work but merely a few 

 bricks and some mortar, or a few small pieces of fire- 

 stone, are required, the improvement in question is 

 very important when considered merely with a view to 

 economy ; but it should be remembered, that not only 

 a great saving is made of fuel by the alterations pro- 

 posed, but that rooms are made much more comfortable, 



* Eves and Sutton, bricklayers, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, have alone altered 

 above ninety chimneys. The experiment was first made in London at Lord Palmers- 

 ton's house in Hanover Square; then two chimneys were altered in the house of Sir 

 John Sinclair, Baronet, President of the Board of Agriculture ; one in the room in 

 in which the Board meets, and the other in the Secretary's room; which last being 

 much frequented by persons from all parts of Great Britain, it was hoped that circum- 

 stance would tend much to expedite the introduction of these improvements in various 

 parts of the kingdom. Several chimneys were then altered in the house of Sir Joseph 

 Banks, Baronet, K. B., President of the Royal Society. Afterwards a number were 

 altered in Devonshire House ; in the house of Earl Besborough, in Cavendish Square, 

 and at his seat at Rockhampton ; at Holywell House, near St. Alban's, the seat of 

 the Countess Dowager Spencer; at Melbourne House; at Lady Templeton's, in Port- 

 land Place; at Mrs. Montagu's, in Portman Square; at Lord Sudley's, in Dover 

 Street; at the Marquis of Salisbury's seat, at Hatfield, and at his house in town; at 

 Lord Palmerston's seat in Broadlands, near Southampton, and at several gentlemen's 

 houses in that neighborhood ; and a great many others ; but it would be tiresome to 

 enumerate them all, and even these are mentioned merely for the satisfaction of 

 those who may wish to make inquiries respecting the success of the experiments. 



