Of Chimney Fireplaces. * 527 



do so easily were the slope situated at a greater distance 

 from the burning fuel.* 



Figs. 7, 8, and 9 (Plate X.) show a plan, elevation, 



* Having been obliged to carry backward the fireplace in the manner here 

 described, in order to accommodate it to a chimney whose v^lls in front were 

 remarkably thin, I was surprised to find, upon lighting the fire, that it appeared to 

 give out more heat into the 'room than any fireplace I had ever constructed. This 

 effect was quite unexpected ; but the cause of it was too obvious not to be immedi- 

 ately discovered. The flame rising from the fire broke against the part of the back 

 which sloped forward over the fire, and this part of the back being soon very much 

 heated, and in consequence of its being very hot, (and when the fire burned bright it 

 was frequently quite red-hot,) it threw off into the room a great deal of radiant heat. 

 It is not possible that this oblique surface (the slope of the back of the fireplace) 

 could have been heated red-hot merely by the radiant heat projected by the burning 

 fuel ; for other parts of the fireplace nearer the fire, and better situated for receiving 

 radiant heat, were never found to be so much heated; and hence it appears that the 

 combined heat in the current of smoke and hot vapour which rises from an open fire 

 may be, at least in fart, stopped in its passage up the chimney, changed into radiant 

 heat, and afterwards thrown into the room. This opens a new and very interesting 

 field for experiment, and bids fair to lead to important improvements in the construc- 

 tion of fireplaces. I have of late been much engaged in these investigations, and am 

 now actually employed daily in making a variety of experiments with grates and fire- 

 places, upon different constructions, in the room I inhabit in the Royal Hotel in Pall 

 Mall ; and Mr. Hopkins, of Greek Street, Soho, Ironmonger to his Majesty, and 

 Mrs. Hempel, at her Pottery at Chelsea, are both at work in their different lines of 

 business, under my direction, in the construction of fireplaces upon a principle entirely 

 new, and which, I flatter myself, will be found to be not only elegant and convenient, 

 but very economical. But as I mean soon to publish a particular account of these 

 fireplaces, with drawings and ample directions for constructing them, I shall not 

 enlarge further on the subject in this place. It may, however, not be amiss just to 

 mention here, that these new invented fireplaces not being fixed to the walls of the 

 chimney, but merely set down upon the hearth, may be used in any open chimney; 

 and that chimneys altered or constructed on the principles here recommended are par- 

 ticularly well adapted for receiving them. 



The public in general, and more particularly those tradesmen and manufacturers 

 whom it may concern, are requested to observe, that, as the author does not intend to 

 take out himself, or to suffer others to take out, any patent for any invention of his 

 which may be of public utility, all persons are at full liberty to imitate them, and 

 vend them, for their own emolument, when and where and in any way they may 

 think proper ; and those who may wish for any further information respecting any of 

 those inventions or improvements will receive (gratis) all the information they can 

 require by applying to the author, who will take pleasure in giving them every assist- 

 ance in his power. 



