Sentence:  In the depth of, winter, however, a <WSD>faggot</WSD> of real French Sticks — although of little intrinsic value — may possibly enliven for a few moments an English Fireside. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (bundle)  A bundle of sticks or brushwood intended to be used for fuel tied together for carrying. (Some sources specify that a "faggot" is tied with two bands or withes, whereas a "bavin" is tied with just one.)