16,2 WHITE 



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, costs of a farthing, 

 and -^j afterwards. Thus a poor family will enjoy five and 

 a half hours of comfortable light for a farthing. An expe- 

 rienced old housekeeper assures me that one pound and a 

 half of rushes completely supplies his family the year round, 

 since working people burn no candles in the long days, 

 because they rise and go to bed by daylight. 



Little farmers use rushes much in the short days both morn- 

 ing and evening, in the dairy and kitchen ; but the very poor, 

 who are always the worst economists, and therefore must con- 

 tinue very poor, buy a 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 economy, it may not be im- 

 proper to mention a pretty implement of housewifery that we 

 have seen nowhere else ; that is, little neat besoms which our 

 foresters make from the stalks of Vh&polytricum commune, or 

 great golden maidenhair, 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 beau- 

 tiful, bright chestnut color ; and, being soft and pliant, is very 

 proper for the dusting of beds, curtains, carpets, hangings, 

 etc. If these besoms were known to the brush-makers in town, 

 it is probable they might come much in use for the purpose 

 above-mentioned. 



I am, etc. 



