and the Economy of Fuel. 137 



ated just without the drying-room, under the end of the 

 flue where it joins the second boiler. The opening at 

 the top of its fire-place, by which the flame of the burn- 

 ing fuel enters the under part of the flue, is kept closed 

 by a sliding plate of iron, or damper, when this fire-place 

 is not used ; and when it is used, the door which closes 

 the opening into the fire-place of the first or principal 

 boiler, and the register in its ash-pit door, are kept 

 shut. 



That the top of the principal boiler might not be 

 too high above the pavement of the wash-house for the 

 laundresses to work in the boiler without being obliged 

 to go up steps or stairs, the grate and the bottom of the 

 flues under the boiler are nearly on a level with the 

 pavement, and the ash-pit is sunk into the ground ; and, 

 to render the approach to the opening into the fire-place 

 more convenient in introducing the fuel and lighting 

 and managing the fire, there is an area before the fire- 

 place, about 3 feet square and 2 feet deep, sunk in the 

 ground, and walled up on its sides, into which there is 

 a descent by steps. In two of the sides of these verti- 

 cal walls (those on the right and left when you stand 

 fronting the fire-place) there are vaults for containing 

 fuel, w r hich extend several feet under the pavement. 

 The steps which descend into this area are on the side 

 of it, opposite the fire-place. 



Areas of this kind are very necessary for all fire- 

 places for large boilers, otherwise the top of the boiler 

 will necessarily be raised too high above the level of the 

 pavement to be approached with facility and conven- 

 ience. Steps may be made, it is true, for approaching 

 boilers which are placed higher ; but these are always 

 inconvenient, and take up more room, and cost more 



