196 farmers' A^D mechanics' journal. 



by a tube concealed behind the wainscot. In the case where it 

 was first tried, a useless chimney happened to pass by the side of 

 the tire-place, and a brick taken from between them, gave admit- 

 tance to the air. In whatever way the object be accomphshed, 

 we should have it in our power to admit more or less air, so as to 

 regulate the combustion at will, as in the common furnace. The 

 room may be ventilated by a small opening near the ceiling, either 

 into the chimney or into the stair-case, to be made to open and 

 close too, to the degree required. The heated air tubes now com- 

 monly connected with fire-places, are peculiarly adapted to this 

 plan, and with it, produce the greatest possible saving of fuel ; and 

 the method of supplying coal to the fire from below it, or in any 

 other way that secures the combustion of the inflammable gases 

 contained in the coal, which I hope may soon become general, has 

 the sam*^ utility here as in other cast-s. 



The advantages of the plan may be shortly enumerated as fol- 

 lows : — 



1. The nearly perfect uniformity of temperature in the air 

 throujihout the roonfi, rendering it a matter of inditference in what 

 part the company sits. 



2. 7'hp total prevention of draughts or currents of air, which 

 are inevitable in our rooms, as now warmed, because the fire must 

 be sunplied with air from the doors or windows. It is almost 

 needless to mention, that a great proportion of the winter diseases 

 of this climate are occasioned by these currents, acting partially 

 on our heated bodies. 



3. The saving of fuel. Less than half ihe usual quantity will 

 generally be found to keep ihe apartment in the most comfortable 

 state. 



4. The raisinjr the temnerature of the air of the house general- 

 Iv. For were all the chimnies thus closed with respect to the 

 apartments, althoush fires were lighted but in a few, any degree of 

 heat once generated in the house, would be long retained. 



5. It cnmnletelv prevents smoke or dust ; a circumstance which 

 alone renders it extremely valuable in many cases ; and with it 

 there is no danger of fire. 



In these parfirulars are comprehended all the advantages of the 

 close stoves of Continental Europe, so superior to ours in econo- 

 mv, and in the desree and uniformity of the temperature produced, 

 with what manv will call a very great additional one, that of see- 

 in:' the fire ; and it avoids their disadvantage, of giving a burnt or 

 sulphurv odour to the air of the apartment. It should not be for- 

 gotten, that at a very moderate expense, the change described may 

 be made on all common fire-places. 



[Journal of Science and the ^rts. 



DR. BLACK'S SENSIBLE BALANCE. 



The following de-:5rrintion of a verv delicate, and, to many it 

 may be, very useful Balance, is taken from a letter written by Dr, 



