Of Chimney Fireplaces. 563 



vents a sufficient quantity of fresh air from coming into 

 the room to supply a brisk current up the chimney. It 

 is, however, evident, that all the alterations in fireplaces 

 on the common construction, that have been recom- 

 mended in order to improve them, must tend directly 

 and very powerfully to lessen this evil ; but nothing will 

 so completely remedy it as lowering the mantle, and 

 diminishing the width of the fireplace. 



How many fireplaces in close rooms have been cured 

 completely of throwing puffs of smoke and dust into 

 the room, merely by placing a register stove in them ! 

 But there is surely nothing peculiar to a register-stove 

 that could enable it to perform such a cure, but merely 

 as it serves to diminish the width and height of the 

 opening of the fireplace ; and how much easier could 

 this be done with marble, or other stone, or with bricks 

 and mortar, plastered over and incrusted in front with 

 proper ornaments in stucco, or in artificial stone ! 



I am the more anxious that something of this sort 

 should be introduced, as the openings of chimney fire- 

 places are in general certainly too wide and too high, 

 and as I am convinced that there is no way of reducing 

 them to a proper size, that would be so cheap, or more 

 effectual, or that could be made more ornamental. 

 . Those who are fond of the glitter of polished steel, 

 and have no objection to the expense of it, or to the 

 labour that is required to keep it bright, may surround 

 their fireplaces in front with a border of it, for there it 

 will do no harm, and may use grates and fenders of the 

 most exquisite workmanship ; but if they wish to have 

 a pleasant, cheerful, and economical fire, the covings of 

 their fireplaces must be placed obliquely, and they must 

 not be constructed of metal ; and if the sides and back 



