CHAP, iv SYLVA 107 



of those new and excellent ovens invented by Dr. Kef- 

 fler, for the incomparably baking of bread, Gf c. would 

 be an extraordinary expedient of husbanding our fuel, 

 as well as the right mingling, and making up of 

 charcoal-dust and loam, as 'tis hinted to us by Sir 

 Hugh Plat, and is generally us'd in Maestricht, Liege, 

 and the country about it ; than which there is not a 

 more sweet, lasting, and beautiful fuel : The manner 

 of it is thus : 



24. Take about one third part of the smallest of 

 any coal, pit, sea, or char-coal, and commix them very 

 well with loam (whereof there is in some places to 

 be found a sort somewhat more combustible) make 

 these up into balls (moistned with a little urine of 

 man or beast) as big as an ordinary goose egg, or 

 somewhat bigger ; or if you will in any other form, 

 like brick-bats, &c. expose these in the air till they 

 are throughly dry ; they will be built into the most 

 orderly fires you can imagine, burn very clear, give a 

 wonderful heat, and continue a very long time. But 

 first you must make the fire of char-coal or small-coal, 

 covering them with your eggs, hotshots, or hovilles 

 (as they are call'd) and building them up in pyramids, 

 or what shape you please, they will continue a glow- 

 ing, solemn and constant fire for seven or eight hours 

 without being stirred, and then they encourage and 

 recruit the innermost with a few fresh eggs, and turn 

 the rest, which are not yet quite reduc'd to cinders ; 

 and this mixture is devis'd to slacken the impetuous 

 devouring of the fire, and to keep the coals from con- 

 suming too fast. 



Two or three short billets cover'd with char-coal 

 last much longer, and with more life than twice the 

 quantity by it self, whether char-coal alone, or billet; 



