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 tlie 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, Vvhich 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 dii)ping, 

 costs -^^ of a farthing, and yy afterwards. Thus a poor 

 family will enjoy 5J hours of comfortaVjle 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 ceconomisfs, 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 housewifery 

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

 besoms which our foresters make from the stalk of the 

 polyiriawi 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, 



