OF SELBORNE. 337 



A good rush, which measured m length 

 two feet four mches and an half, being 

 minuted, burnt only three minutes short 

 of an hour : and a rush of still greater 

 length has been known to burn one hour 

 and a quarter. 



These rushes give a good clear light. 

 Watch-lights (coated with tallow), it is 

 true, shed a dismal one, *' darkness 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 im- 

 pede the progress of the flame and make 

 the candle last. 



In a pound of dry rushes, avoirdupois, 

 which I caused to be weighed and num- 

 bered, 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 ex- 

 ceeding thirty-three entire days, for three 

 shillings. According to this account each 

 rush, before dipping, costs -^'^ of a farthing, 



VOL. I. Z 



