you an opportunity to glorify his name, by shewing the sincerity of your good resolutions, and the vows you made when you was in trouble (a). Thus will you shew that you have profited by the chastening of the Lord, and rejoicing in his mercy, shew forth your thankfulness by obeying his commands, and endeavouring to serve him truly all the days of your life (b). (a) Psalm, lxvi. 12. (b) Church Catechism. No. XXIV. The following Receipt has been practised in Yorkshire for saving Coals to the Poor, and to the Rich also, if they please; and has proved economical and useful. When it has answered in Yorkshire, it may be presumed, that it will be serviceable where coals are scarce and dear. It is therefore offered to the Reader. As we now have so many factories and manufactories in this neighbourhood, every project for a saving in coals ought to be instantly attended to; but tho this is true enough, am doubtful whether I shall have many thanks for my discovery, tho I give it without payment, so hard a matter it is to shove people out of their beaten track-However I am resolved, come, what will, to open my secret, which is this: TAKE the ashes and small cinders which fall from the fire, and saturate or fill them very well with water, till they are like the mortar used by bricklayers :-That being done, put them on the back part of your fire; when those who have not made the experiment, will be surprised to find what a pleasant fire they make in conjunction with coal, and will answer any common purpose-by this means poor people never need to carry their ashes to the dunghill, but burn up every atom. Publicans, that use large fires, would find their account in crowning them with this mortar; as it would be more agreeable to the philosophic smokers than coals themselves. In stoves, under boilers, and on many other occasions where a dead or flat heat is wanted, this mortar would be of great service in conjunction with coal, as by its means the fire may be kept of a sufficient and steady heat for a considerable time with very little addition. As to Gentlemen, I know that they will do as they please; but tho they may not choose to practice my Receipt, if they would give some of their ashes, which are commonly half cinders, to their poor neighbours, and tell them how they should be manufactured, they would do an essential piece of service to the public. Some may object, and say, that, If all the ashes are to be consumed, what must we do for tillage? -Don't be alarmed:-If one in twenty avail themselves of this hint, it will be as many as I expect. I should, indeed, have small hopes of its being at all attended to, tho winter looks us in the face, were it not for the ingenuity and perseverance of some good old housewives, who, when there is a prospect of usefulness or advantage, will spare no pains to accomplish the end. Method of preparing the Mortar. Draw the ashes to the front of the fire-place, and having made a hole in the middle of them, pour on water to suit the quantity of ashes; then let them soak a few minutes, and they will mix themselves without being touched, because if stirred at the first they will daub the hearth; but by giving them time to mix, the small matter of wet on the hearth will soon be dried by the fire, and leave it clean as before: or you may, if you please, have a private corner out of doors for the sole purpose of mixing them. A little practice will make mixing this mortar as easy and familiar as going to a cart and buying a two-penny basket of coals. SAVE-ALL. Leeds, Nov. 12, 1804. No. XXV. List of the Committee of the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor. PATRON, THE KING. PRESIDENT, THE LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM. VICE-PRESIDENTS, THE DUKE OF SOMERSET. THOMAS BERNARD, ESQ. THE REV. DR. GLASSE. DR. GARTHSHORE. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. THE ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH. JOHN JULIUS ANGERSTEIN, ESQ. SIR FRANCIS BARING, BART. M. P. LORD BORINGDON. SAMUEL BOSANQUET, ESQ. I. H. BROWNE, ESQ. M. P. |