Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-03-30

n.
and we're often surprisingly hard and
white. Oh-fashioued lard lamps came
again into use for parlors and state oc.
cas;ons, giving soft, clear luster, much
ike that of the favorite French lamp.
But lard was costly and scarce.
For sick-rooms and nurseries and for
mills where the machinery ran all night,
but where bright light was not con.
stantly required, the bolls of the syca-
more or button.wood tree were dried
and used as wick in . cup of melted
Grnaae. Dpxiae . tsdicus.. case Of ty-
phoid in thefamily Of the writer friend
introduced . taper 90 safe and satisfac-
tory as to merit use in other than war
times. A small triangular scrap of
softpaper istwisted into q species of min.
iature FOOLS cap, the hypotheneuse OF
the triangle forming its base. This.
with the knob on top, oiled and lighted,
and the lower part spread out like a
tan, is inserted a. wick in q small
saucer of lard. There is no unpleasant
odor, and it gives dim light by which
objects in the room are barely distinguish.
able, but from which lamp NAV be in.
stantly lighted. Near the taper its
light is sufficient to tell tn. hour bv a
watch, to read the liable on a vial and
to measure medicine with ease.
But the Confederate candle was. be-
yond all else, the light of those davs.
Wax and resin were melted together in
the proportion Of two ounces of resin to
a pound of wax, and through this mix
ture a long string of candle wick was
drawn once and again, until thoroughly
coated. Making one was always frolic
for the younger members of house
hold, and occasionally furnished excuse
Tor an afternoon party. 1t was a mat
ter Of pride to have the candle as long
as possible, and the work was ALWAYS
done ut-of-doors. The saucepan or
"skillet" containing the wax rested on
shovelful of hot Goals; the ball of wick
was unrolled and passed through the
liquid, and from hand to hand, until
every inch of it had been immersed
three times, and the long. irregular
string became a smooth waxen rope
about the thickness of an ordinary lead
pencil. This was then wound on n wood
en- stand-the Confederate candlestick'
first around, then up and down. The
free end was drawn through a hole in
a strip of tin nailed for the purpose on
the upper part of the candlestick. and
when the candle was in use. was lighted.
the long rope unwinding like n reel Of
yaFa,s as~itwas gradaally eorsuned.---
The light vas, perhaps, Not more than
equal to that Of toy candle, vet it was
not trying to the eyes, and was sufficient
for ordinary purposes. The place next
the saucepan was the post of honor and
of danger. The wick was held down in
the wax by means of a small crotched
stick, but, in spite of this precaution.
burned fingers were not unfrequentlv
the result Of the candle making.
A volume might be written on the in
genious contrivances of the Indies to re-.
plenish their wardrobes. Homespun
dresses were among the least of these
They made everything they wore. from
hats to shoes, and some of the work was
exqnisitely done. Such articles as were
bey yond their skill-and they We're few
were substituted some way or anoth.
er. Large thorns, with the heads tip
ped with sealing wax, did duty as hair
pins. Common brass pins, imported
from Nassau, sold near the close of the
war for forty dollars a paper, and need.
les and thread were used instead wher.
ever such use was practicable. Econo-
my was an obligatory virtue in those
days, and nothing was wasted which
could possibly be turned to account.
Luxuries were not manv and self-de-
nial of the sternest sort was frequently
practiced. Starvation parties, at which
no refreshments we're furnished, were
ordinary entertainments in Richmond
during 1864. Housekeepers who wish.
ed to give suppers to their friends, but
who could not afford to call in the cost.
ly aid of a confectioner, resorted to va
rious expedients. Calves'-foot jelly was
made without wine or lemons, peach
brandy and vinegar being substitutes
and was not an unpalatahle dish
Milk was always procurable, and ice-
cream, in consequence, not unknown.
Such desserts as could be made with
sorghum molasses were those most fire.
quent. Indeed, there was a surfeit Of
sorghum to those who used it in lieu of
something better, and the word became
slang term for Hattery-the eqniva-
lent Of the Yankee soft sawder."-
Preserves put up with sorghum molas-
ses had always a twang which betray-
ed their origin-a twang barely mitica-
ted by the use of soda. Yet few peo-
pie could afford the use of sugar for
the purpose, and those who could not
gladly ayailed themselves Of the cheap
er make-shift.
Straw plating became usual accom-
plishmeut with Southern girls, and the
bundle of wet straws aud the constant
" lengthening braid were of frequent
appearance in the family circles gather
ed around the Confederate candle. The
plait most common was that known as
the trough and ready pointed braid
woven with four staws. Ladies wish
ing for some thing more sty lish prefer
red the seven plait of split straw, iden-
tical with the popular English straw.
An inventive genius produced and,
think, patented, little machine for
splitting the straw. This was q small
block of wood with fragment of steel
from an old hoop-skirt inserted a; one
end and fled into tiny teeth for diyid-