into one another by means of folding-doors. The butler's pantry is spacious, with a dresser for china running across the rear. It might be thought that the dresser would interfere with the windows, as this is the only direction from which light can be obtained. To obviate this difficulty the dresser is made low, which renders it not only easy of access, but leaves space for the windows, which are placed above. By this method both light and closet-room are secured without the one interfering with the other. As the difficulty of reaching the windows without a ladder still exists, they are arranged to open and shut on the principle of those of a greenhouse, which work by the turning of a crank.

A recessed balcony, with coved ceiling, opens from the billiard-room in the attic. The exterior of the house may be painted in neutral tints, with darker trimmings; the shingled gables of a middle tint, produced by an equal mixture of the two former; while the receding part of the balcony may be painted in stronger colors, the coved panels being of ultramarine blue, relieved by trimmings of Indian red.

CHAPTER X.

CHIMNEYS.

Painting Chimneys.--Chimneys on Exterior of Houses.-Draughts.-Security agaiust Fire. French System of laying Floor Beams.-Smoke Flues.-Hot-air Registers.

H

ITHERTO chimneys have been treated too meagrely: they have invariably been low, and usually too narrow and thin; and when attempts were made at embellishment, they were placed upon a clumsy base, rendering their disproportion only the more apparent. We would advise, unless economy be an object, not building a chimney on the principle of a parallelogram, but, like the Gothic column, broken up into different members or shafts; in fact, each flue should be treated separately, if possible.

Painting chimneys, and brick - work generally, should be avoided. There is not the excuse for such treatment that exists in buildings of wood, where paint is necessary for their preservation. Brick is an honest material, and when of a good color appears well. Paint, when not used as a protection, has the appearance of covering up defects. Indeed, we think it as absurd to color brick-work, as to besmear cut stone with paint or whitewash. There are other legitimate modes of relieving brick, if it be thought necessary. The introduction of stone or tile makes a very pleasing contrast, as also bricks of different color, such as blue, black, or buff; and, if used sparingly, they do much to relieve the monotony. Black pointing has hitherto been considered de rigueur, as white, in the opinion of many architects, conveys a raw and disagreeable effect. This idea can, however, be carried to an extreme, as white pointing may often enliven a wall which might otherwise present a gloomy appearance.

Lateral bands are usually objectionable in the treatment of chimneys; their lines should, as far as possible, be vertical; and now that moulded bricks of any form may be obtained, different varieties may be grouped satisfactorily. Plain chimneys, however, may appear well by the simple introduction of buff or black bands. Black here seems to harmonize with any color, and a good effect may be obtained with but little cost. Sometimes buff bands, if edged with black, may be used to advantage.

Chimneys show their purpose, and serve as a relief to the monotony, by being carried up on the exterior of the walls. They not only form an ornament by having their projections on the outside, but save room within.

The two points most to be considered in the construction of chimneys are, first, a good draught; and, second, security against fire. The greatest difficulty with which we have to contend in obtaining a draught, is that of friction. The flue should be made as smooth as possible and of uniform size; and, as smoke ascends spirally, if it could be built round, like a stove-pipe, a considerable advantage would be gained. A bend or turn also serves to create friction, and thereby injures the draught.

In regard to danger from fire, it is essential that the wood-work should be kept at a safe distance from the flue. It is usually the custom to have but four inches of brick-work, and allow the timber to be placed directly against it. This, especially with flues that are overheated, as by a range or furnace, is a very unsafe method. On the front or ends of a fireplace, where it is free from the wood-work, this is not objectionable; but on the back, against which the studding is likely to be placed, not less than eight inches of brick should be considered safe. The great mistake with builders is making the chimney openings too small in framing, so that the wood-work comes directly against the masonry. When there are but four inches of brick, the beams should be placed at least three inches distant; and if but one inch has been left, it is well to fill the space with plaster of Paris, which serves as a non-conductor.

Notwithstanding our being in constant anxiety as to the danger of having our buildings destroyed by fire, this subject has, strange to say, heretofore received little or no attention in our country-houses, and we are continually erecting tinder- boxes, exposed to fire from stoves and chimney flues. We are generally satisfied with a policy of insurance; and although fires usually occur in cold weather, we do not appear to consider the loss of a home, or the misery of being turned out-of-doors during a wintry storm. The children and the infirm may be driven from their beds without clothing, or may be stifled, and perhaps lose their lives. Money, of course, is a great soother in case of loss; but how many things are there endeared to us by old associations which are impossible to replace!

In our cities we are compelled by law to build houses somewhat with reference to the prevention of the spread of fire. Not that the houses themselves cannot be destroyed, but we are obliged to build part of the walls heavy; so that in case our own dwelling is consumed, those of our

neighbors may escape. Would it not be well, therefore, in this nineteenth century, to do something to prevent the constant recurrence of fire?

Professor Chandler, of Columbia College, at an Architectural Convention held at Delmonico's, related the following incident: Some years ago, while seated comfortably at dinner in Paris, the alarm of fire was raised in the building. With his American ideas that the entire structure must be in danger, he took his hat, and hurried with all speed into the porte, expecting every minute to see the steam fire-engines approach, and, as a consequence, a deluge of water, smashing of windows, and a grand rumpus generally. But, to his astonishment, very little excitement prevailed, and no engines made their appearance. The simple and primitive system of extinguishing fires-that of passing leather buckets of water-was resorted to, and was sufficient; and although the smoke issued in considerable volumes from one of the windows, he could not see that the fire was making any headway. It was actually confined to the apartment in which it originated, and died away almost of itself, after the combustible material in the room had been burned.

This was before the depredations by the Commune. But when those Vandals attempted to burn the city, and hundreds of barrels of petroleum were used, still it was almost impossible to induce the conflagration to extend beyond a single building. In fact, there seems to be little or no dread of fire in European countries, simply because, in putting up their

buildings, special care is taken to render them fire-proof. Even their country buildings are not only composed of stone, but the cellars are vaulted, the interior partitions are of brick, and the roofs and floors are generally made of iron, cement, and tile. The exterior walls, instead of being furred to prevent the dampness striking through, are built hollow, with the plaster put directly on the brick-work.

A system laid down by Viollet le Duc demands that the floor beams be made square and placed in the walls diagonally. The upper sides, by this arrangement, are made to slope, and serve as a skew-back for brick arches between the beams. These are cemented over, forming a flat surface to receive the floor boards or tiling, while the underside is plastered directly upon the bricks, forming a corrugated ceiling, and presenting a constructive appearance. This is easily decorated, and is, at the same time, thoroughly fire-proof.

Our system of placing the floor joists edgewise, with plaster beneath and boards above, besides showing a false construction, allows each space not only to act as a paradise for rats, but also to prove most dangerous in case of fire, as a flue. If we must continue building these fire-traps, there is no doubt something should be done to make our houses somewhat more secure.

After the joists are laid, instead of stupidly filling them in with mortar an inch or two deep, which serves no other purpose than that of deafening sound, let us enclose these timbers, as well as the underside of the floor boards, with a coating of plaster of Paris, and then use wire-cloth on the underside of the floor beams, which answers as an excellent substitute for lath. To prevent the spaces acting as channels for fire, let both ends be enclosed with a slab of roofing slate, which can be easily imbedded in the plaster of Paris. This also prevents the entrance of rats.

Apropos to the subject of isolating smoke flues, we would also call attention to the necessity of protecting the wood - work from the hot-air flues of the furnace. These are frequently run through floors and stud partitions in the most reckless manner, without any arrangement being made to prevent their scorching and eventually setting fire to the woodwork. Where these flues come in contact with this material, it is always well to make them double, allowing a space between to be filled in with plaster of Paris or brick, by which means a greater degree of safety is secured. Another and perhaps more simple mode is to cover the exposed timber with tin, and, instead of wood, iron lath may here be used. By this means the flues may be made larger and also less expensive, on account of their not being double.