The Natural History of Selborne 261 



the wick 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 ^ of a farthing, and TT 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 candles 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 therefore must continue very poor, 

 buy a halfpenny candle every evening, which in their blowing open 

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

 only two hours' light for their 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 

 nowhere 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 begs. 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, hang- 

 ings, &c. 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, &c. 



* A besom of this sort is to be seen in Sir Ashton Lever's Museum. 



