THE old fire-place, with its cheery blaze and glowing back log, and coals that assume ten thousand fantastic shapes and pictures, all giving out an abundance of heat, cannot be outdone by any inventions of modern progress, we think, even though more easy methods have been introduced. In a location where wood is abundant, we advise house owners to have a good, large, open fire-place in the main living-room, as we think this the nearest approach to a means of perfect ventilation, the warm flue of the fire-place creating a strong draft from near the floor and carrying out the foul air. Moreover, the influence of the open fire, with leaping flames and glowing, crackling coals, draws the family around its magic circle and brings the members a little nearer each other.