MANUFACTURE OF RUSH CANDLES. 
183 
the earth at each end, in circumstances too trying for a cow in 
the same condition : yet within this garden there was a large 
hop-kiln, into the chambers of which she might have retired, had 
she thought shelter an object worthy her attention, 
Europe itself, it seems, cannot set bounds to the rovings of 
these vagabonds ; for Mr. Bell, in his return from Peking, met a 
gang of these people on the confines of Tartary, who were 
endeavouring to penetrate those deserts and try their fortune in 
China.* 
Gypsies are called in French, Bohemians ; in Itahan and 
modern Greek, Zingani.f 
I am, &c. 
LETTER XXVI. To the Hon DAINES BARRINGTON. 
DEAR SIR, Selborne, Nov. 1, 1775. 
*' Hie tsedse 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 economy, 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 conglomeratus, 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 procure and prepare them. 
As soon as they are cut they must be flung into water, and kept 
there ; for otherwise they will dry and shrink, and the peel will 
* See Bell's Travels in China. 
t There is very little doubt that the true gypsies are of Mongolian origin, though in the 
course of time they have become much mingled with Europeans. An excellent essay on the sub- 
ject will be found in a late number of" Jameson^s Edinburgh Philosophical Journal." — Ed. 
