“Yes, I remember; it was a comical tragedy; and before we run any such risks let us look over our advisory letters.  Here’s one from Uncle Harry, who, as you know, is never without a hobby of some sort.  Just at present he is devoted to sanitary questions.  To be well warmed, ventilated and plumbed is the chief end of man.  He begins by saying that ’sun’s heat is the only external warmth that is natural or beneficial to human beings.  When men have risen above the dark clouds of sin and ignorance they will discover how to preserve the extra warmth of the torrid zone and of the hot summers in our own latitudes to be evenly diffused through colder climes and seasons.  Next to sun’s heat is that which comes from visible combustion—­the burning of wood and coal.  Such spontaneous, radiant, living warmth differs essentially from that which we receive by contact with artificially-warmed substances, somewhat as fruit that has been long gathered differs from that taken directly from the vine.’”

“Isn’t this getting sort of misty, what you might call ’transcendental like’?”

“Possibly, and this is still more so:  ’Warmth is the vital atmosphere of life, and a living flame imparts to us some of nature’s own mysterious vitality.  Hence, the sun’s rays and the blaze of burning fuel give not only a material but a spiritual comfort and cheer, which mere warm air is powerless to impart.  Here is another reason why direct radiation, even from a black iron pipe, is preferable to a current of warm air brought from a distance:  in a room warmed by such a current nothing is ever quite so warm as the air itself unless so situated as to obstruct its flow, but every solid substance near a hot stove or radiator absorbs the radiated heat and is satisfied, while the air for respiration remains at a comparatively low temperature.’”

“There may be a little sense in that,” said Jack, “but the rest is several fathoms too deep for me.  Has he any practical advice to give?”

“That depends upon what you call practical.  ‘I have little patience,’ he says, ’with the common objection to direct radiation, that it brings no fresh air.  Fresh air can be had for the asking under a small stove or radiator standing in a room as well as under a large stove or boiler standing in the cellar; neither does the dampness or dryness of the atmosphere depend primarily upon the mode of warming it, while, as for the appearance of steam pipes, if they are not beautiful as usually seen, it only proves that art is not wisely applied to iron work, and that architects have not learned the essential lesson that whatever gives added comfort to a house will, if rightly treated, enhance its beauty.  Steam-pipes or radiators may stand under windows, behind an open screen or grill of polished brass, or they may be incorporated with the chimney piece, and need not, in either case, be unsightly or liable to work mischief upon the carpets or ceilings under them.  Wherever placed, a flue to bring in fresh air should be provided and fitted with a damper to control the currents.’”