FIRE.
As we advance in Age—the force of the circulation being lessened, the warmth of our Clothes and our coverings at night should be gradually increased. “After the age of 35, it may be better to exceed, rather than be deficient in clothing.”—Adair’s Cautions, p. 390.
Cold often kills the infirm and the aged, and is the proximate cause of most Palsies;—it is extremely desirable that Bed and Sitting Rooms for Winter occupation, should have a Southern aspect—when the Thermometer is below 30, the proper place for people beyond 60, is their own Fire-side:—many of the disorders and Deaths of persons at this period of Life—originate from irregularity in Diet, Temperature, &c. by Dining out, and frisking about, joining in Christmas Gambols, &c. in Cold weather.
The Art of making a room comfortably warm, does not consist merely in making a very large Fire in it—but depends as much on the keeping of cold air out—this is best done by Double Windows, see [page 91], and double Doors,—at least take care that your Sashes fit close,—that the beads of the window frames are tight—stop the aperture between the skirting boards and the floor with putty—and list the Doors.
We suppose it almost needless to say that every room in the house should be thoroughly ventilated[47] by a current of fresh Air—at least once every day, when the weather is not very damp—or cold. By making a Fire accordingly—this may be done almost every Day in the Year.
If You leave the Door open for Five minutes—it will let in more cold air than your Fire can make warm in Fifteen—therefore, initiate your Domestics in these first principles of the Economy of Caloric,—and when the Weather is cold, caution them to keep Doors shut.
A regular Temperature may be preserved by a simple contrivance attached to a Thermometer, which will open an aperture to admit the external air—when the apartment is heated above the degree desired (i. e. about 60 for common constitutions,) and exclude it when it falls below it.