SLEEPING ON A STOVE

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 3, 1890

SLEEPING ON A STOVE.

We have sofa-beds, and mantel-beds, and secretary-beds, but who ever heard of a combination stove and bed? Yet that may be found in China, that curious old country, whose customs are so ancient and unchanging that we may be sure they used this contrivance long before our modern combination beds were invented. A gentleman who has traveled in the north of China says that the climate is quite cold, and there are no stoves or fire-places in the wayside inns. In some of the general rooms are small charcoal braziers; but the bedrooms, which are very scantily furnished, contain neither stove nor bed. In their place is a brick platform, long enough for a man to stretch himself at full length upon, and raised a foot or two from the floor, with an opening in the side. Into this aperture the servant pushes a pan of burning coals, and when the bricks are thoroughly heated, the traveler spreads out upon them the bedding he has brought with him, and lies down to rest on his stove.—Selected.