176 HOT WATER AND STEAM. 



rature of the house be too high, the damper 

 or plate of iron, which is formed in the construc- 

 tion of the fire-place, can be put on to reduce 

 the heat, and be removed again when required. 



The size of the pipes may vary according to 

 taste, but to be uniform, the size of the house 

 ought in some measure to be taken into conside- 

 ration ; still, in all cases where the pipes are 

 large, the returns will not require to be so 

 many, as two may do instead of three or four, 

 but those of a moderate size, according to the 

 extent of the house, will, while they answer 

 every purpose, appear most in unison. But this 

 part will require the judgment to be exercised, of 

 those who have the superintendance. 



There are, as a matter of course, some 

 splashes of science sent forth by the compe- 

 titors of hot water heating, each recommending 

 his apparatus, mode of contrivance, fixing, 

 &c., as the best ; and while such emulation is 

 afloat, and hot water heating for these purposes 

 may be considered almost in its infancy ; I 

 think it would be wrong to speak discouraging 

 of either, as sometimes the most simple thing 

 to appearance turns out the best; and what is 



