BOOT AN, 
93 
woollen cloths the country could supply, and in constructing curtains 
as a defence against the piercing winds, that pervaded the apertures of 
the balconies. While engaged in thus guarding ourselves against the 
cold, in order more effectually to obviate its effects, the erection of a 
fireplace became a matter of serious deliberation; but, before we had 
finally fixed upon the plan, and procured materials for executing it, 
milder weather succeeded, and induced us to drop the design; an event, 
much to be regretted by the present and future race of Booteeas, who, 
destitute of this most necessary convenience, are obliged to have 
recourse, to a very offensive way of warming their rooms. The best 
contrivance in general use, to prevent the fire, when kindled, from 
/ 
communicating to the timbers which compose the chief part of every 
house, is a large flat stone. This being placed in the middle of the 
room, the company range themselves round it, prepared to put up 
with volumes of pine smoke, which, having no exit but by the win¬ 
dows and doors, never fails by its pungency to annoy all who are 
present, and who at length partake of the same gloomy colour with the 
ceilings and the walls. 
Our habitation, which was within a stone’s throw of the palace, 
was extremely commodious, and well adapted to our use. We entered, 
by a door on the south side, into a square court-yard; not very large, 
but it served to confine our cattle, and, indeed, more than we wished 
to have there. The house was opposite the doorway, and filled one 
side of the square; the other three sides were enclosed by buildings, 
which, not being so lofty as the house by ’one floor, held our baggage, 
and accommodated all our attendants. We inhabited the upper story, 
