Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/658

 534 Tlie Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [Feb, two thousand years ago, there is no chimney to the fire chamber in the top ; the smoke finding egress through four loop-holes facing the cardinal points, which holes were, perhaps, devoted solely to such purposes ; for, that this top chamber was for the keeping of fire, is seen in the smoked state of the stone floor in each of those towers. In England no evidence of a chimney can be discovered previous to the twelfth century, when we find a flue occasion- ally in Rochester Castle, and other re- mains of that time ; and those flues were not carried up to the roof, but found vent in one or two smoke-holes in the outside of the wall. It was not till the fourteenth century that the chimney shaft made its appearance; and after that period the chimney has a decided history in Domestic Architecture. In Elizabeth's time the chimney shaft be- came a distinguishing feature in the Architecture of that period. Though chimneys are found in some parts of Asia, as in the north of Persia, yet, generally, apartments are warmed in cold weather by means of pans or braziers of various kinds, and either of metal or earthenware, which are set in the middle of the room, after the fire or gas of wood, which it contains, has been allowed to burn for some time in the open air, till the flame and smoke have passed away. Wood, previously charred, is also used for this purpose. The fire is comparatively left open in the apart- ment, as was clearly the case in the present instance; but in Western Asia, when the inmates wish to sit comfort- ably warm in their rooms, they often cover the brazier with a low table, over which is laid a carpet or thickly padded counterpane, of such ample dimensions that the parts which overlay the table can be drawn over the person, as they sit or recline upon their sofas, or cushions, which are arranged properly around the centre of warmth. They usualby sit covered to the waist by the counter- pane, which they themselves draw up to their shoulders, and they present an ap- pearance, which would suggest the idea of a family sitting up in a large bed, with their feet turned towards a common centre. The quilt, with the surround- ing cushions, of course, detaining much warmth around the persons ; but the plan appears unwholesome, and could only exist among an indolent people, who have no in-door occupation. Certainly our American families would consider this a very undesirable domestic comfort, and all arising from the want of that simple, but very useful convey- ance of smoke, the chimney. In luxurious Rome, Gibbon says, " the form of the Atrium, the Basilica, the Cyzicene, Corinthian and Eg3 r ptian halls, bed-rooms, &c, were all various in form, and their proportions correct; but thej' were all attended with two imperfec- tions, very repugnant to our modern no- tions of taste and convenience, for the rooms had neither side-windows nor chimneys. The}' were lighted from the top, and received the heat by the help of pipes that were conveyed along the walls." Herculaneura had not a semblance of a chimney. Diocletian's Palace at Dal- matia, which was erected about a cen- tury after that of Nero, was warmed by hot air passing through pipes, but no chimney conveyed the smoke from the furnace. How should we, then, of the present day, venerate this clumsy appendage to our homestead comfort, and why should its appearance be so ungainly ? — a protuberance at best — a swollen well of brickwork inflicted on our domicile as a set-off for the benefit it confers. Architects should study its case, and reduce the unsightly inflam- mation as much as possible. Above the roof, the chimney shaft has had attention enough — too much at times — for the celebrated Sir John Vanbrugh has left England a heavy legacy of chimney architecture, in which he clearly illus- trates the wise saying, that " too much is as bad as too little."