In the gathering together of relics lof the past the necessities of yeater-day become the acquisitions of to-Jday. Thus it is with old fire doge, faithful guardians of long ago hearths.
There is a lure about old fire dogs which fascinates everyone, for it is almost impossible to visualize the domestic life of the 17th and 18th centuries without a vivid picture of huge fireplace dressed by the ever-present fire dogs. In those days the fireplace was the centre of home life. Bare and unattractive as many of the homes were, yet there was that [cheerfulness that emanates from the ruddy glow of a fire.
Stars Seen Through the Chimney Fireplaces were great, enormous! places, so immense that the twinkling stars could be seen through the open chimney. Gleaming pewter caught and held the reflexion of the protective flintlock, while the festooned strings of dried vegetables hhung above. When wood was pleni tiful and easily gathered as it was {in the 17th century, the fireplace was 'a huge cavern, At the back was a og sometimes so enormous that it was fastened to a chain and dragged by horses. Then in front was a smaller log, the fire stick, which rested upon the firedogs. Between this and the back log wood was piled to satisfy the insatiable flame.
Firedogs have been used from Jancient times. During Queen Elizabeth's reign, some irreverent wit made the following remark—"Our bishops are like firedogs of state, standing in a chimney but for show."
Their Soldier-Like Bearing At first firedogs were extremely) ponderous and made in the rudest manner. Their only boast to beauty was their soldier-like bearing and top, simulating a cut out circle.
course, with a higher type of civilization, firedogs with. some pretence of design came into being, until in the seventeen hundreds firedogs, possessing true beauty, graced the hearths." That was the period of the grateful baluster with either fat knob or acorn top, rising from slender, tapering column. Urn shapes were also fashionable designs. 'At an early date they were shaped more or' less like grotesque dogs' heads and were thus called firedogs. Very few genuine specimens of these have come down to this generation. Firedogs have been made of iron, jpteel, copper and brass.. Brass, of!
Designed and drawn for the "North-China Daily News." course, was fine indeed, but kept the /housewife busy in her effort to keep a high polish. Here and there wealthy baron would enhance the beauty of his hearth with imposing silver ones,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.