234 On the Construction of Kitchen 



imagine, answer every purpose for which an open fire 

 in the kitchen could be wanted by a large family, even 

 though they should (contrary to all my recommenda- 

 tions) continue to roast their meat upon a spit. 



That I am not unreasonable enough to expect that 

 all my recommendations will immediately be attended 

 to, is evident from the pains I take to improve machin- 

 ery now in use, of which I do not approve, and which 

 is perfectly different from that I am desirous to see 

 introduced. 



When my roasters shall become more generally known, 

 and the management of them better understood, I have 

 no doubt but that open chimney fire-places, and open 

 fires of all descriptions, will be found to be much less 

 necessary in kitchens than they now are. 



I am even sanguine enough to expect that the time 

 will come when open fires will disappear, even in our 

 dwelling-rooms and most elegant apartments. Genial 

 warmth can certainly be kept up, and perfect ventilation 

 effected much better without them than with them ; and 

 though I am myself still child enough to be pleased with 

 the brilliant appearance of burning fuel, yet I cannot 

 help thinking that something else might be invented 

 equally attractive to draw my attention and amuse my 

 sight, that would be less injurious to my eyes, less ex- 

 pensive, and less connected with dirt, ashes, and other 

 unwholesome and disagreeable objects. 



It is very natural to suppose that those nations who 

 inhabit countries where the winter is most severe must 

 have made the greatest progress in contriving means 

 for making their dwellings warm and comfortable in 

 cold weather ; and when, in milder climates, the growing 

 scarcity of fuel has rendered the saving of that article 



