Some spits were worked by pulleys—many of these are still in use—some by clockwork, and some by a contraption in the chimney, operated with ascending and descending currents of air, which were, in effect, smoke-driven. Other spits used to be driven by dogs—bassets were preferred. And it is said that some of the animals would go for hours without a halt, they so loved the warmth of the room and the tidbits tossed to them.
