A coal fire is objectionable on many grounds.

It is dangerous, dirty and dusty.

On the other hand an asbestos fire, where the lumps are judiciously laid, gives all the warmth and ventilation of a common fire without any of its annoyances; and to any one who loves to be independent of servants, and to know that, however deeply he may sleep over his "copy," his fire will not fail to keep awake, an asbestos stove is invaluable.
It is a mistake also to imagine that keeping the best bound volumes in a glass doored book-case is a preservative.

The damp air will certainly penetrate, and as the absence of ventilation will assist the formation of mould, the books will be worse off than if they had been placed in open shelves.

If security be desirable, by all means abolish the glass and place ornamental brass wire-work in its stead.