The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Economy Under the Blockade.
INGENUITY OF SOUTHERN WOMEN IN
DOMESTIC MATTERS.

Ingenuity kept pace with ecessity, and
Confederate women found time and means to
make many pretty trAes. Rabbit, otter and
muskrat skins, tanned at home, were home
made into sets of furs which would not have
done discredit to skilled f, rrier Exquisite
feather fans were manufac ured from white
geese feathers, aud the famous feather flow
ers of the Brazilian nuns, aside from their
brilliant coloring, are scarcely more beauti-
ful than the snowy japo, icas worn by Con-
federate bride; vet they were the work of a
lady friend. Il began to fear | should not
get them done in time," wrote the giver.-
"My white Westpl ala geese went bathing
in mud puddle, end got themselves 80 dirty
chat they had to be washed and penned up
to dry before their feathers could be used. !"
French flowers were more than scarce, and
nearly all bonnet trimmings, as well as the
bonnets, were homemade. Straw flowers,
straw cords and tassels, ruohes and rosettes
of raveed silk-these were more common and
less costly than we'll made feather flowers
Altogether the women managed we'll enough
except with regard to their bonnets. In total
ignorance of-TAe Partisan decree, which with
the rest 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, huge coal
scuttle shaped bonnets, in which their heads
and faces were buried. In truth, however,
their ingenuity was wonderful. They made
everything they wore-gloves hats and shoes
(cloth shoes to which the shoemaker added
the soles, as well as other articles usually
of feminine manufacture. Straw plating be-
came favorite industry, dividing favor with
knitting, since both could be done by dim
light, and artificial means of Illumination were
scant and feeble. The Southern pitch pine
yielded its torches in abundance, but it's
Pickering blaze, albeit bright and picturesque,
is fearfully trying to the eyeSight. Tallow
candles we're articles of luxury which might
be used in plenty only by well-to-do farmers
and wealthy contractors. Who invented the
Confederate candle, history will probably
never tell US; but from Virginia to Texas it
became a Southern institution, gladdening
the freades of the Confederacy. Thistle
candle-was long rope of wax, about the
thickness of an ordinary lead pencil, wound
on wooden stand or frame-the Confeder-
ate candlestick. To make the candle, bees
wax and resin Zone 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 long
one, as many hands as possible being pressed
into service for the work. When finished
the candle was wound on the candlestick like
yarn upon reel. The end left free was
drawn through strip of tin nailed for the
purpose on the top of the candle stick. 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 ordinary purposes.-Mrs.
NJ p. Handy IN Philadelphia Weekly Times.