211 HUSH CANDLES. 



short of au Lour ; and a rusli of still greater length has been 

 known to burn one hour and a quarter. 



These rushes give a good clear light. "Watch-lights (coated 

 with tallow), it is true, slied a dismal one — "darkness visible;'* 

 but then the wicks of those have two ribs of the rind, or peel, 

 to support the pith, while the wick of the dipped rush has 

 but one. The two ribs are intended to impede the progress 

 of the flame, and make the candle last. 



In a pound of dry rushes, avoirdupois, which I caused to 

 be weighed and numbered, we found upwards of one thou- 

 sand six hundred individuals. Now, suppose each of these 

 burns one with another only half an hour, then a poor man 

 will purchase eight hundred hours of light, a time exceeding 

 thirty-three entire days, for three shillings. According to 

 this account, each rush, before dipping, cost one thirty-third 

 of a farthing, and one eleventh afterwards. Thus a poor 

 family will enjoy five and a half hours of comfortable light 

 for a farthing. An experienced old housekeeper assures me, 

 that one pound and a half of rushes completely supplies his 

 family the year round, since working people burn no candle 

 in the long days, because they rise and go to bed by 

 daylight. 



Little farmers use rushes much in the short days, both 

 morning and evening, in the dairy and kitchen; but the 

 very poor, who are always the worst economists, and there- 

 fore must continue very poor, bay a halfpenny candle every 

 evening, which in their blowing open rooms, does not bum 

 much more than two hours. Thus have they only two hours' 

 light for tlieir money, instead of eleven. 



While on the subject of rural economy, it may not be 

 improper to mention a pretty implement of housewifery that 

 we have seen no where else ; that is, little neat besoms which 

 our foresters make from the stalks of the polytricum commune, 

 or great golden maiden-hair, which they call silk-wood, and 

 find plenty in the bogs.* When this moss is well combed 

 and dressed, and divested of its outer skin, it becomes of a 

 beautiful bright chestnut colour ; and being soft and pliant, 



* Very commonly used in Scotland for the same purposes, and also for 

 mats, or rugs, which are plaited together, leaving the tops sticking out for 

 two ur three inches, and thus making both a warm and useful household 

 appendage. — W. J. 



