HOUSES AND GARDENS 



fireside became more restricted and the family circle was reduced to a semi- 

 circle. Still the fire was not enclosed in a recess, but covered merely by a 

 projecting hood to take the smoke, or perhaps by an ingle recess which still 

 left the sides as well as the front of the fire accessible. This arrangement, 

 however, did not entirely dispose of the smoke problem, as such a fire was 

 subject to cross draughts. Next may be noted a transition stage, in which the 

 fire was partly covered by a hood and partly enclosed by a recess, until at last 

 the fire was placed entirely in a recess in the wall. Gradually this recess 

 became contracted into the modern grate, so that the whole evolution of the 

 position of the fireplace seems to be first the pushing of the fire to the wall, 

 and then its gradual absorption into the wall, followed by the reduction of its 

 size. It is not implied that such a process was chronological, and its later 

 developments were much hastened by the use of coal instead of wood as fuel. 

 With a wood fire a certain amount of smoke is not entirely objectionable, for 

 the aromatic odours of burning wood are too pleasant to be entirely lost. 

 With coal, however, the case is different, and the least smoke is objectionable, 

 and so in the modern grate where coal is burnt this question of the elimination 

 of the smoke becomes a most important one, and the whole problem of the 

 position and treatment of the modern fireplace resolves itself into the 

 getting rid of the smoke without unduly cramping or enclosing the fire 

 itself, and to secure the charm and beauty of the open hearth without its 

 drawbacks. 



In passing to the consideration of the materials used in the construction of 

 the fireplace we find these naturally divide themselves into three classes. 

 Firstly, such material as will bear actual contact with the fire, such as iron and 

 other metals, firebrick, &c. ; secondly, those materials which are incombustible, 

 but will not stand contact with the fire, such as stone, glazed tiles, &c. ; and 

 thirdly, materials which are inflammable, and which must not be placed too 

 close to the fire. 



In the ordinary fireplace we shall find all these three classes of materials 

 represented in the iron grate, with its surroundings of glazed tiles and 

 wooden mantelpieces. 



To secure simplicity and breadth of effect it is often desirable to simplify 

 this formula, and the fireplace will afford the best opportunity for displaying 

 the actual structure of the house itself the brickwork or stonework of its 

 walls. The reality and sincerity of the structure so displayed will outweigh 

 the claims here of superficial materials, especially in view of the desirability of 

 surrounding the fire with a space of material which is not inflammable. More- 

 over, the fire itself and its fuel are necessarily rather rough and homely in 

 their character, and look still more so if brought into too close contact with 

 over-refined materials. The mark of the smoke on the rough surface of the 

 brickwork will but add new notes in the scale of its varied colour, and if the 

 whole appointment of the fireside have a like homely character, the fire will 

 seem at home there, instead of an alien amidst its superfine surroundings too 

 dainty for the blackness of its smoke. And so the rugged virile spirit of the 

 fire should dictate the proper character for its setting, and however delicate 



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