LETTER XXVI 



TO THE SAME 



DEAR SIR,- 



SEI.BORNE, Nov. i, 1775. 



" Hie .... taedae pingues, hie plurimus ignis 

 Semper, et assidua postes fuligine nigri." 



I shall make no apology for troubling you with the 

 detail of a very simple piece of domestic oeconomy, being 

 satisfied that you think nothing beneath your attention that 

 tends to utility : the matter alluded to is the use of rushes 

 instead of candles, which I am well aware prevails in many 

 districts besides this ; but as I know there are countries also 

 where it does not obtain, and as I have considered the 

 subject with some degree of exactness, I shall proceed 

 in my humble story, and leave you to judge of the 

 expediency. 



The proper species of rush for this purpose seems to be 

 the juncus effusus, or common soft rush, which is to be 

 found in most moist pastures, by the sides of streams, and 

 under hedges. These rushes are in best condition in the 

 height of summer ; but may be gathered, so as to serve the 

 purpose well, quite on to autumn. It would be needless 

 to add that the largest and longest are best. Decayed 

 labourers, women, and children, make it their business to 



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