OF SELBORNE. 
197 
LETTER XXVI. 
TO THE SAME. 
DEAR SIR, Selborne, Nov. i, 1775. 
" Hic - - - - tscdse pingues, hk plurimus ignis 
" Semper, et affidua poftes fuligine nigri." 
I SHALL make no apology for troubling you with the detail of a 
very fimple piece of domeftic occonomy, being fatisfied that you 
think nothing beneath your attention that tends to utility ; the 
matter alluded to is the ufe of ruJJjes inftead of candles, which 
I am well aware prevails in many diftri^ls befides this ; but as 
I know there are countries alfo where it does not obtain, and as 
I have confidered the fubjed with fome degree of exadnefs, I fliall 
proceed in my humble ftory, and leave you to judge of the 
expediency. 
The proper fpecies of rujJo for this purpofe feems to be the 
juncus effufus, or common foft rufli, which is to be found in moft 
moift paftures, by the fides of ftreams, and under hedges. Thefe 
rufhes are in befl condition in the height of fummer ; but may be 
gathered, fo as to ferve the purpofe well, quite on to autumn. 
It would be needlefs to add that the largefl; and longeft are befto 
Decayed labourers, women, and children, make it the'r bufmefs 
to procure and prepare them. As foon as they are cut they muft 
be flung into water, and kept there; for otherwife they will dry 
arid flirink, and the peel will not run. At firft a perfon would 
find 
