Of Chimney Firepldles. 507 



in them here recommended ; for it is by no means 

 merely to prevent chimneys from smoking that these im- 

 provements are recommended, but it is also to make 

 them better in all other respects as fireplaces ; and when 

 the alterations proposed are properly executed^, which 

 may very easily be done with the assistance of the fol- 

 lowing plain and -simple directions, the chimneys will 

 never fail to answer, I will venture to say, even beyond 

 expectation. The room will be heated much more 

 equally and more pleasantly with less than half the fuel 

 used before ; the fire will be more cheerful and more agree- 

 able, and the general appearance of the fireplace more 

 neat and elegant ; and the chimney will never smoke. 

 The advantages which are derived from mechanical 



o 



inventions and contrivances are, I know, frequently 

 accompanied by disadvantages which it is not always 

 possible to avoid ; but in the case in question, I can say 

 with truth, that I know of no disadvantage whatever 

 that attends the fireplaces constructed upon the prin- 

 ciples here recommended. But to proceed in giving 

 directions for the construction of these fireplaces. 



That what I have to offer on this subject may be the 

 more easily understood, it will be proper to begin by 

 explaining the precise meaning of all those technical 

 words and expressions which I may find it necessary or 

 convenient to use. 



By the throat of a chimney, I mean the lower ex- 

 tremity of its canal, where it unites with the upper part 

 of its open fireplace. This throat is commonly found 

 about a foot above the level of the lower part of the 

 mantle, and it is sometimes contracted to a smaller size 

 than the rest of the canal of the chimney, and some- 

 times not. 



