gh the square tower above their
heads, the view interrupted only by the black, shiny lug-pole, and its
great trammels; or in the season, its burden of hams and flitches of
pork or venison, hanging to be cured in the smoke. The mantle-tree was a
huge beam of oak, protected from the blaze only by the current of cold
air constantly ascending. The preparation of fuel was no light task, and
"building a fire" was no misnomer. The foundation was a "back-log," two
or three feet in diameter; in front of this the "fore-stick,"
considerably smaller, both lying on the ashes; on them lay the
"top-stick," half as big as the back-log. All these were usually of
green wood. In front of this pile was a stack of split wood, branches,
chips, and cobs, or, if cob-irons were present, the smaller wood was
laid horizontally across these. The logs would last several days, and be
renewed when necessary, but the fire was not allowed to go out. Should
this happen, the fire-pan was sent to a neighbor for coals, or the tin
lantern with a candle for a light. In default of neighbors, the
tinder-box, or flint-lock musket with a wad of tow were used to evoke a
spark. "Tending fire" meant renewing the lighter parts of the fuel; for
this purpose, there was, in prudent families, a generous pile of dry
cord-wood in the kitchen. With these appliances, considerable warmth was
felt in the room; the larger part of the heat, however, was lost up the
huge chimney. Fresh air rushed in at every crack and cranny to supply
this great draft; and, although the windows were small, and the walls
lined with brick, there was no lack of ventilation. In this condition of
things, the high-backed settle in front of the blazing fire was a cozy
seat. It was the place of honor for the heads of the family and
distinguished guests. Sometimes the settle was placed permanently on one
side of the fireplace, the seat hung on leather hinges, under which was
the "pot-hole," where smaller pots, spiders, skillets, and kettles were
stored.

The fireplaces in the front rooms were of the same pattern, but smaller
than that in the kitchen. Fires were seldom built there except at
weddings, funerals, or on state occasions. The furniture, for the most
part home-made, rude and unpainted, was scanty--a few stools, benches,
and split-bottomed chairs; a table or two, plain chests, rude, low
bedsteads, with home-made ticks filled with straw or pine needles. The
best room may have had a carved oak ches