OF SELBORNE. 219 



enjoy five hours and a half of comfortable light for a far- 

 thing. 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 an 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 there- 

 fore 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 have they only two 

 hours' light for their money instead of eleven. 



While on the subject of rural economy, it may not bo 

 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 stalks of the Polytrichum 

 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, &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. 1 



1 A besom of this sort is to be seen in Sir Ashton Lever's 

 Museum. G. W. 



This Museum, to which allusion has been already made, was disposed 

 of by auction in 1806. See p. 3, footnote. ED. 



