OF SELBORNE 171 



These rushes give a good clear light. Watch-lights 

 (coated with tallow), it is true, shed a dismal one, " dark- 

 ness 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 

 thousand 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, costs 

 "sV of a farthing, and -rr afterwards. Thus a poor family 

 will enjoy 5^ 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 oeconomists, and 

 therefore must continue very poor, buy an halfpenny 

 candle every evening, which, in their blowing open rooms, 

 does not burn much more than two hours. Thus have they 

 only two hours light for their money instead of eleven. 



While on the subject of rural oeconomy, it may not 

 be improper to mention a pretty implement of house- 

 wifery that we have seen no where else ; that is, litde neat 

 besoms which our foresters make from the stalk 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, is very proper for 

 the dusting of beds, curtains, carpets, hangings, etc. If 

 these besoms were known to the brushmakers in town, it 



