The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-12-26
ECONOMY UNDER THE BLOCK
AIDE.
Ingenuity of Southern Women N
Domestic Matters


Mrs. NJ. L. Handy in Philadelphia Weekly
! Times.
! Ingenuity kept pace with necessity,
and Confederate women found time and
means to make many pretty triaes Rab
bit, otter and muskrat skins, tanned at
home, were homemade into sets of furs
which would not have done discredit to a
skilled furrier. Exquisite feather fans
were manufactured from white geese
| feathers, and the famous feather flowers
of the Brazilian nuns, aside from their
brilliant coloring, are scarcely more beau
titul than the snow japOnicas worn by a
Confederate BRIDE yet they were the
work of lady friend. 81 began TO fear
| should rot get them done in time, :"
wrote the giver, "My white Westpha-
liza geese went bathing in mud puddle,
and got themselves so dirty that they had
te be washed and penned up to dry be-
fore their feathers could be used"
French flowers were more than scarce,
and nearly all bonuet trimmings, as we'll
as the bonnets, were homemade.
Straw flowers, straw cords and tassels,
ruches and rosettes of ravelled silk--these
were more common and less costly than
well made feather flowers. Altogether
the women managed we'll enough ex-
cept with regard to their bonnets. In
total ignorance of the Partisan decree,
which with the rost of the world, had
reduced these to mere idea, they went
on steadily adding to the SIZE of theirs
until in 1865, when the barrier of their
armies gave way, they stood revealed in
veritable sky.scrapers, high coal'scuttle
oh unaI hnnnafg tth1oh fb.... han a 4
faces were buried. In truth, however,
their ingenuity was wonderful. They
made everything they wOre-gloves, hats
and shoes (cloth shoes to which the shoe
maker added the soles), as well as other
articles usually of feminine manufacture.
Straw plating became favorite industry,
dividing favor with knitting, since both
could be done by a dim light, and
artificial means Inflammation were scant
and feeble. The Southern pitch pine
yielded its torches in abundance, but its
Pickering blaze, albeit bright and pictur
esque, is fearfully trying to the eyesight.
Tallow candles were articles Of luxury
which might be used In plenty only by
well TODD farmers and wealthy cOntIao-
tors. Who invented the Confederate
candle, history will probably never tell
US; but from Virginia to Texas, it be
came a Southern institution, gladdening
the 6resides of the Confederacy. This
the candle-was long rope of wax,
about the thickness of an ordinary lead
pencil, wound on wooden stand or frame
the Confederate candlestick. To make
the candle, heeswax and resin Gone part
of resin to eight of wax were melted
together, and long strand of candle
wick was drawn three times through the
mixture. The rope was usually a long
one, as many hands as possible being
pressed into service for the work. When
finished, the candle was wound upon the
like yarn upon a reel. The
end left free was drawn through strip
of tin nailed for the purpose on the top
of the candlestick. AS the candle burned
away the waxen rope was unwound, still
following out the similitude Of the reel of
yarn. The light was dim but clear and
steady, and near the candle was sufficient
for all nrdina,y- purpose. The ILL
candle required Watching, and IL was un-
safe to leave it long with no one near.