CHIMNEYS.

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the alkali of vegetable smoke. His first rude efforts atarchitecture were like those which Tacitus describes, aspossessed by the ancient inhabitants of Germany . Similaredifices we have still in many parts of the British empire,i. e. in the Scottish Highlands , particularly in the isle ofStromata, where there are substantial edifices of stonerudely put together indeed, but their antiquity is ascertainedeven by their form. These are built like those huts de-scribed by Tacitus , as common among the Teutones. Beingof a round figure, with an aperture in the centre to permitthe escape of smoke. So are constructed numerous cot-tages in the mountainous parts of Wales , at this day,with a like aperture, or else with one at the most shelteredend of the house; sometimes cut through the perpendicularwall, and more or less approaching to the nature of flues.

On the other hand, from eleven opinions of modern com-mentators, upon the writings of the ancients, we haveconsulted, we discover only two who believe in the existenceof chimneys among the ancients; four who are doubtful;and, strange to say, five who deny it altogether. At thehead of those who support the affirmative, one appears,who is himself a host, we need scarcely say, that he is thelearned Montfaucon.

In the dramatic writings of Alexis, a poet contemporarywith Alexander, one asks — “Boy, is there a kitchen?—Has it a chimney?”—“Yes; but it is a bad one—theeyes will suffer.” Before this, in Homer, Ulysses wished,whilst in Calypso 's grotto, to see the smoke ascending fromIthaca;—his mind unquestionably adverted, from what wasthen in reality, perhaps, to what was mentally before hiseyes,—he wished to see the circling fumes ascend fromthe chimneys of his own palace. Athenceus has preserveda passage of Diphilus , in which the poet says of aparasite, when he is invited to the house of a rich man,he does not look to the magnificence of the building, orthe elegance of the furniture. “ If I see,” says he, “ the“ smoke rising up in abundance, quick, and in a straight“ column, my heart is rejoiced, for I expect a good“ supper.” We submit also, that the following passage ofSeneca clearly indicates the thing we are proving, where,he says,—“ Last evening I had some friends with me,“ and on that account a stronger smoke was raised;“ not such a smoke, however, as bursts from the kitchens“ of the great, and which alarms the watchmen, but such a“ one as signifies guests are arrived.” The author meanshis fire produced a volume of curling, ascending, hospitable