The  stairs  are  wide,  with  steps  of  low  ascent  and
easy  tread.  As  the  lower  story  is  only  8  feet  3
inches  in  height,  there  is  no  great  climb  to  the
upper  floor.  It  is  essential  in  a  country  dwelling
that  the  lower  story  be  not  too  high,  as  by  keeping
it  low  much  needless  stair-climbing  is  avoided  and
some  fuel  saved  in  winter.  Nor  is  a  house  of  low
ceiling  less  "  airy  "  than  one  of  high  ceiling,  so  long
as  provision  is  made  for  ventilation.  The  day  is
past  when  we  bottled  up  enough  air  in  the  houses
in  the  fall  to  last  them  till  opened  again  in  the
spring.  Now  the  air  of  a  whole  house  is  changed
several  times  a  day,  and  there  is  no  reason  for  high
ceilings.  If  they  are  desired,  let  them  be  in  the
rooms  above,  though  even  there  they  are  useless.
