Q. Why will the eastern winds make vestries smoke, more than those from the west?
A. Because they strike against the steeple, and bound back to the vestry chimney: but western winds cannot rebound over the roof of a church.
(N. B. The steeple of a church is always due west, and the other end of the church due east; if, therefore, a western wind rebound, it would rebound to the west, or away from the church, and not towards it.)
Q. Why does a house in a valley very often smoke?
A. Because the wind (striking against the surrounding hills) rebounds back again upon the chimney, and destroys its draught.
Q. What is the common remedy in both these cases?
A. To fix a cowl on the chimney top, to turn like a weather-cock, and present its back to the wind.
Q. Why will not a cowl always prevent a chimney smoking?
A. If the wind be strong, it will keep the opening of the cowl towards the steeple or hill; and then the reflected wind will blow into the cowl, and down the chimney.
Q. As a cowl is such a poor remedy, can any other be devised?