14© ARCHITECTURE. BOOK I. 



perly adapted, I shall consider the time and expence which I 

 have bestowed upon the subject as having been well applied. At 

 present, T shall only remark, that the supposed improvements 

 in patent cast-metal grates, or in the fire-places of rooms, will 

 be found much inferior to what I have here announced ; ob- 

 serving only to make the fuel chamber rather broader than in 

 the figures to which I have referred, where it is made nearly of 

 a square form, for the greater convenience in holding cooking 

 utensils. 



The importance of rendering the labouring people more 

 comfortable by increasing the conveniencies of their habitations, 

 either in respect to the commodiousness and warmth of their 

 cottages, the dimensions of their gardens, or giving them cows 

 and such like advantages, appears great even at first sight : but 

 if by these, in conjunction with other means, such a spirit could 

 be aroused or excited in the English peasantry, as would make 

 them sensible of the disgrace of going to a workhouse, a na- 

 tional benefit would be effected, which posterity only could 

 duly appreciate. In the mean time, let me remind the 

 humane proprietors of both countries, that it is their duty oc- 

 casionally to look into the condition of this class of their de- 

 pendents. A visit to their dwellings would reanimate their 

 drooping spirits, strengthen their resolution, or prompt them to 

 exertions : it would not occupy much time ; would never be re- 



