456 THE OLD GUEIIXSEY LAMP. 



Since the aLove was written I have been fortunate in 

 obtainin<>- the loan of another type of the old (xiiernsey 

 lani]). For this loan I am indebted to Mr. James L. Ogier, 

 of the Frie Baton, St. Savioin-'s, who informs me that it 

 is considered to be an older type than the smaller crasset, 

 and is supposed to be several centuries old. As I have 

 not seen any of this kind previously, or heard of it, I am 

 unable to give any opinion. It seems to me that it might 

 have been imported from some place where it may have 

 been in common use. 



Owing to its being double and being arranged to take 

 large Avicks, it would give considerably more light than those 

 we are familiar with. For this reason, if for no other, it 

 would be used on special occasions, such as at " La 

 Grand' Querue." When hung over the table it would 

 throAV ample light on the festive board, or at social 

 gatherings in the winter evenings around the hearth when 

 no member of the party would be in comparative darkness 

 as in the case of the single crasset. This sort of lamp 

 may not have been in constant use, as a large quantity 

 of oil would have been necessary for a long evening. 



Besides these specimens of our old lamps I have brought 

 down for exhibition an old tinder-box, known in the patois 

 as " La Saqu'rie " and its appiu'tenances, which I consider 

 inseparable from the crasset, as it was the only means 

 of getting a light. For the loan of this I am indebted 

 to Mr. George A. Ogier, of the Ville Baudu, Vale. 



An attempt to use it shoAvs the great difference there 

 is in our modern methods as compared with those of our 

 forefathers. The tinder-box was also used as a candlestick 

 for the bedrooms, the candle being often, " La chandelle 

 de jonc," the rushlight, Avhicli gave a very small amount 

 of illumination. 



During the winter nights at the time that the tinder-box 

 was the only means of procuring a light or rekindling a 

 fire, people Avere in the habit of placing the tinder-box 

 by the side of the bed, so that they might be able to 

 strike a light to see the time when they woke in the morning. 

 Occasionally a mishap AA^ould occur, and in attempting to strike 

 a light the tinder-box and its contents would be scattered all 

 over the bed, and any attempt to gather the tinder together 

 was always followed by blackening of the bedclothes, because 

 the tinder was very friable and fell to pieces as soon as 

 touched. 



