Before closing this chapter a few words may be said about new heating methods. Gas stoves are becoming increasingly popular by reason of the ease with which they can be put in action and made to maintain an even temperature. But the most up-to-date heating apparatus is undoubtedly electrical. Utensils of all sorts are fitted with very thin heating strips (formed by the deposition of precious metals, such as gold, platinum, &c., on exceedingly thin mica sheets), through which are passed powerful currents from the mains. The resistance of the strip converts the electromotive energy of the current into heat, which is either radiated into the air or into water for cookery, &c. In all parts of the house the electric current may be made to do work besides that of lighting. It warms the passages by means of special radiators--replacing the clumsy coal and “stuffy” gas stove; in the kitchen it boils, stews, and fries, heats the flat-irons and ovens; in the breakfast room boils the kettle, keeps the dishes, teapots, and coffee-pots warm; in the bathroom heats the water; in the smoking-room replaces matches; in the bedroom electrifies footwarmers, and--last wonder of all--even makes possible an artificially warm bed-quilt to heat the chilled limbs of invalids! The great advantage of electric heating is the freedom from all smell and smoke that accompanies it. But until current can be provided at cheaper rates than prevail at present, its employment will be chiefly restricted to the houses of the wealthy or to large establishments, such as hotels, where it can be used on a sufficient scale to be comparatively economical. THE END Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. Edinburgh & London * * * * * The Romance of Modern Invention _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ _Uniform with this Volume_ THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING Containing Interesting Descriptions in Non-Technical Language of the Nile Dam, the Panama Canal, the Tower Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Niagara Falls Power Co., Bermuda Floating Dock, etc. etc. “A series of descriptions which rival one another in lucidity of explanation and in interest, both of subject and treatment.”--_Manchester Courier._ “Men of any age will be interested in this volume; boys will be fascinated by it.”--_Spectator._ “If there lives a boy who is fond of engineering and speaks the English tongue, this is the book for him.”--_The Bookman._ _With 24 Illustrations. Gilt edges. Price 5s._ THE ROMANCE OF MODERN LOCOMOTION Containing Interesting Descriptions in Non-Technical Language of the Rise and Development of the Railroad Systems in all Parts of the World.