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hospitality, where the tenants and neighbours were entertained, and atChristmas cheerfully regaled with good plum porridge, mince pies, andstout October, the andirons were commonly larger and stronger, tosustain the roaring Christmas fire, more ornamented, and, like knightswith their squires, attended by a pair of younger brothers, far superiorto, and, therefore, not to be degraded by the humble style of creepers;indeed they were often seen to carry their heads at least half as high astheir proud elders. A pair of such I have in my hall; they are ofcast iron, at least two feet and a half high, with round faces, and muchornamented at the bottom.”

The grate in Plate XV. is a representation of one at Haddon, and canbe adapted either for wood or coal.

The present ruling fashion of grates is certainly not very tasteful,however well it maybe calculated to diffuse heat and save fuel; and;even in these points, its merits are in no slight degree questionable.But whatever necessity may exist for high, contracted stoves, surroundedby metal frames—loaded as they are with unseemly ornaments—therecan be none for making JffnlfCrS to stand so much above the floor as isnow the custom; except, indeed, it be to realise the ironmongers’ motto,of “ no profit, no honourfor to no other end than the manufacturer’sgain can their expensiveness be assigned. Anciently, a low ridge ofstone was considered to be sufficient security against the burning embersand ashes falling on the floor; and surely a metal border of the sameproportions would be as efficacious in that respect. A high fender, if it beclose, obstructs the current of air which is indispensable to the properdraught of the chimney, and if it be perforated, is no longer a defenceagainst the live cinders which the fire sometimes throws out. If thesuperfluous metal were employed in widening, instead of heighteningfenders, it would be applied to a more sightly, as well as more useful