t up the chimney instead of into the
room, and thus causing an in-draught of cold air. This is especially
the case with strong drawing registers. No part of a grate should be
of iron, except the thin front bars; for iron is a conductor away of
heat, but fire-bricks are not so."

The principle of the grate is thus explained by a writer in 'The
Field', who says:

"If any of your readers are troubled with smoky fires and cold
rooms, allow me to recommend them to follow Mr. Mechi's plan, as I
have done. Remove the front and bottom bars from any ordinary grate;
then lay on the hearth, under where the bars were, a large fire
tile, three inches thick, cut to fit properly, and projecting about
an inch further out than the old upright bars. Then get made by the
blacksmith a straight hurdle, twelve inches deep, having ten bars,
to fit into the slots which held the old bars, and allow it to take
its bearing upon the projecting fire-brick. The bars should be
round, of five-eighth inch rod, excepting the top and bottom, which
are better flat, about 1-1/4 in. broad. My dining-room grate was
thus altered at a total cost of eighteen shillings two years ago,
the result being that a smoky chimney is cured, and that the room is
always at a really comfortable temperature, with a smaller
consumption of coal than before. The whole of the radiation is into
the room, with perfect slow combustion."

998. Oil Lighting.

Whenever oil, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral, is used for the
purpose of artificial light, it should be kept free from all exposure
to atmospheric air; as it is apt to absorb considerable quantities of
oxygen. If animal oil is very coarse or tenacious, a very small
quantity of oil of turpentine may be added.

999. Improving Candles.

Candles improve by keeping a few months. If wax candles become
discoloured or soiled, they may be restored by rubbing them over with
a clean flannel slightly dipped in spirits of wine.

1000. Lighting Candles.

In lighting candles always hold the match to the side of the wick, and
not over the top of it, as is generally done.

1001. Night Lights.

Field's and Child's night lights are generally known and are easily
obtainable. But under circumstances where they cannot be procured, the
waste of candles may be thus applied. Make a _fine_ cotton, and wax it
with whit