Sometimes the rooms of a new house are subject to the nuisance of smoky chimneys simply from deficiency of air. The workmanship of the rooms being all good, the joints of the flooring-boards and of the wainscot panels are all true and tight, the more so as the walls, perhaps, not yet thoroughly dry, preserve a dampness in the air of the room, which keeps the wood-work swelled and close. The doors and the sashes, too, work closely and correctly, so that there is no passage left open for the air to enter except the key-hole, and even this is often closed over by a little brass cover. Thus, air being denied admission into the room, there is nothing to feed the fire and to cause a “draught,” and the smoke cannot ascend the chimney. Instances have been known of well-built houses being rendered almost untenantable from this cause, and several hundred pounds being spent in endeavouring to find a remedy. If, on opening the door or window of a smoky room, it be generally found that the smoke disappears, this may be taken as an indication that the close-fitting joints of the wood-work do not admit air enough for the fire when doors and windows are closed. In such a case, the opening of the door or window is a poor attempt at a remedy; for the air proceeds direct to the chimney, and in its way causes cold to the back and feet of those who may be sitting before the fire. Numerous methods have been devised for admitting additional air to the rooms without this inconvenience, among which Dr. Arnott recommends tubes leading directly from the outer air to the fire-place, and provided with what are called “throttle-valves,” for the regulation of the quantity. The following plan has also been recommended as one of the most practicable. As the air in the upper part of a room is warmer than in the lower, it is desirable that the supply should come in that direction, so as to be slightly warmed in its progress towards the fire, and thus produce less chill to those in its immediate vicinity. This may be done by drawing down the upper sash of the window about an inch; or, if not moveable, by cutting such a crevice through its frame; in both which cases, a thin shelf of the length of the opening may be placed to conceal it, sloping upwards, to direct the air horizontally along and near the ceiling. In some houses, the air may be admitted in such a crevice made in the wainscot or cornice near the ceiling, and over the fire-place; this, if practicable, is the better of the two, since the cold air in entering will there meet with the warmest rising air from before the fire, and be soonest tempered by the mixture. Another contrivance is to take out an upper pane of glass in one of the sashes, set it in a tin frame, giving it two springing angular sides, then replacing it, with hinges below, on which it may turn; by drawing in this pane more or less, the quantity of air admitted may be regulated, and its position will naturally direct the admitted air up