From Moore’s Rural New-Yorker in Rochester, NY
Sept 24th, 1861
Fires in the Bedrooms.
Most people, even many intelligent reformers have the idea that to sleep in a cold room is good – essential health. It is an error. It is better to have an open fire in your bed-room. The atmosphere is not only by this means constantly changed, but with the fire you will keep the window open, which will add greatly to the needed ventilation. But more than his, with the fire you will have fewer bedclothes over you, which is a gain, as a large number of blankets not only interferes somewhat with the circulation and respiration, but prevents the escape of those gases which the skin is constantly emitting. Even furnace or stove heat with an open window is better than a close, cold room. Interchange with the external atmosphere depends upon the difference between the temperature of the air within and that without. But let us have the open fire. Let us go without. But let us have the open fire. Let us go without silks, broadcloths, carpets, and finery of all kinds, if necessary, that we may have this beautiful purifier and diffuser of joy in all our houses. In my own house I have ten open grates and find with coal at eleven dollars the expense is frightful, and if it were in any other department of housekeeping I should feel I could not afford it; but in this I do not flinch, so important do I deem the open fire. Dr. Lewis.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
Hello from Australia, I have read your blog with interest as I am assisting in identifying a photograph which has a distinctive carpet/rug and table cloth. I am writing because the table cloth in your first photograph of a tall, thin woman in a black dress has her hand on a table which is covered with a cloth very similar to the one I am looking at. The photograph is in your blog on carpets and rugs. Can you tell me anything about the cloth and the particular pattern is has?
Thank you very much.