SIR,—May I be allowed to suggest a small detail in
the present "burning question" of labourers' cottages, but one which I have always seen to be a most important factor in the peasants' life,—their kitchen fireplace? Here it is mostly a wretched narrow grate, sometimes with (often without) an oven which will not heat ; "hobs "on which they cannot stand saucepan or kettle,—worse than useless, hopeless, for cooking
or the "weekly wash." What a blessing could they have instead the small detached stove of the Swiss or Germans, like a small table, and as convenient to work at. A pipe from it, entering the closed chimney near the ceiling, first dispenses its warmth through the room. Such a stove can be had in Germany for from 21 to 0, according to size. It has its small oven, always hot, one, two, or three" holes" for pots in its clean level top, and a small side boiler for a little extra in price. These possibilities for cooking might gradually lead our poor country wives who have gardens and poultry to attempt the hundred uncostly dainties enjoyed by Swiss and German peasants—the soups, the beignets, the Sauer-hrauts, the Mehl-speise, multiform and comfortable—now impossible to the helpless British " grate " and British family. Add the less danger of fire for the children, the economy of fuel (most German stoves will only burn "slack "), the clean irons, &c., for the "weekly wash."—I am, Sir, &c.,
A GRANDMOTHER.
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