Note 33 — PART II. (continued 2)

It is not generally apprehended, how very wasteful the use of small coals is in the ordinary open fire-grates. Necessity makes us use the poker very much, particularly, when the coals are small; and habit prevails even when they are large. By the constant stirring of the fire almost the whole of the small coal passes through the bars; and consequently a great deal goes to the dust-hole without being burnt at all. To prove this, we need only take a shovel full of ashes and put them into a pail, and then pouring water over them, which being gently run off, will carry away nearly all the light and burnt parts: and leave an astonishing quantity of bright unburnt coal, which has escaped from the fire-place, in consequence of being small.

When the grate of the fire-place is large, and the small coals are thrown behind; or when we can have patience enough to bear the cold for an hour or two, or contrive to have the fire lighted a long time before we want it, the small coal may be of some use, but the fire made with it is never strong, nor so bright; and does not burn so long as a fire made with large or round coals: it often requires the help of the poker, and produces a great quantity of breeze.

The loss in the use of small coals is more considerable to the poor, who cannot keep large fires. When they want their breakfast or dinner, the time they can spare is limited; and to have their water sooner boiling, or their meals quicker ready; they must make use of the poker, and lose a great deal of coal. This fact is so evident, that any body who wishes to make the experiment before recommended, will find that much more bright coal goes to the dust-hole of the poor man, than to the dust-hole of a rich family, where, the fire-place being large, the small coal has more chance of burning.

The loss is still greater to the poor, in consequence of the inferior sorts of coal which are sold to them. If it is the light sort, it burns too quick, and they consume double the quantity; if the strong sort, it burns too slow, and is nearly as wasteful; for a great quantity of it then goes to the dust-hole without having been lighted at all.

An incorrect opinion is often entertained, that the real quantity of coal contained in a sack is lessened by separating or screening the small from the round coals; but we must recollect, that any compact body occupies less space than is required to contain the same matter, reduced to smaller irregular pieces, or to powder.—Now the screening only takes away the finest dusty part of the coals, and admits more small pieces of round coals to be filled into the sack.