Footnotes:
{1} As I was very desirous of learning more about this celebrated
fireplace, I inserted a request in the _Public Ledger_ for information
regarding it, which elicited the following from some one to me unknown,
to whom I now return thanks:--
"MR. CITY-EDITOR OF THE _Public Ledger_,--In your edition of this
date, I notice a communication headed 'To Local Antiquarians.' Without
any well-founded pretensions to the designation 'Antiquarian,' as I
get older I still take a great interest in the early history of our
beloved city. I remember _distinctly_ the fact, but not the date, of
reading a description of the 'mantelpiece.' It was of wood,
handsomely carved on the pillars, and under the shelf, and on the
centre between the pillars, was the following quaint and witty
_hieroglyphic_ inscription:--
When the grate is M. T. put:
When it is . putting:
which is a little puzzling at first sight, but readily translated by
converting the punctuation points into written words.