Year: 1877

How the C0niederates Made CANDIES.


Prominent among tho problems
with which Confederate families
we're forced to grapple was that of
light. The gas works in the princi-
pal cities were kept in operation. but
the gas furnished was OF the poorest
quality and exorbitantly dear. Many
private families were unable to al
ford It's use. aud tho few who coulj
pay for it were not always sure of
getting it. On more than oue occa-
sion. in crowded churches. pastor
aud people were given practical
illustration Of Egyptian darkness
aud on one memorable night tie gas
in Richmond gave ont sinlul,aneous
ly all over the city, in AL buildings
public aud private. leaving those who
depended upon its Illuminating pow
ers in total darkness Pine totcha-
in Southern parlance. light,wooi
luots-werc to be had in plenty, and
in winter their rudy glow glow was
comfortable aud picturesque. But
work or reading done by their flick
cring light was terrible strain on
the eves, and the hent from the blaz
ing wood was uncomfortable in sum
mer. Moreover, tho pitch smoke
WAS Objectionable, and blackenod the
walls.


Tallow candles were tho usual re-
sort, and were often surprisingly
hard and white. Old,ias hiOned lard
lamps camp again into use for par~
lors and state occasions, givin, n
soft. clear ldstre, much like that OF
the favorite French lamp. Bat lard
was costly and scarce.


For ick-rooms and nurseries, and
for mills where the machinery ran all
night, but where bright light was
not constan tly required, the balls of
the sycamore or button wood tree
were dried aud used as wick in u
cup Of melted grease. During to-
dious case of typhoid in the family
OF the writer FRIEND introduced II
I taper so safe AM .ltisiactory aS tD
merit use IN other than war times.
4 small, triangular scrap Of soft pa
per is twisted into species of mini-
ature fool cap, the hypothenuse of
/ the triangular forming its base.
This, with tho knob on the top oiled
and lighted. and the lower part
spread ont like fan, is inserted as
Il wic,; in II small saucer of lard.
There is no unpleasant odor, and it
gives a dim light by which objects
III the room are barely Distinguish.
! BILE. but from which lamp may be
instantly lighted Scar tho taper
It's light j. sufficient to tell the hour
by n watch, 10 read tho label on a
vial, ana to measure medicine with
ease.


But the Confederate candle was,
/ beyond all else, the light of those
days. Wax and rosin were melted
together i'll tho proportion of two
ounces of rosin to apDund Of wax,
and through this mixture Il long
string Of candle wick was drawn
once aud again until thoroughly Y
coated. Making one was always u
frolic for tho younger members oi II
household, and occasionally furnish
cd excuse for m afternoon party. 1t
was u matter Of pride to have the
candle a. long Gg possible, aud the
work WAS always done out Of doors.
The saucepan or skillet containing
the wax rested on q shoyelful of hot
Goals tho ball of wick was uprolled
and passed through the liquid, aud
from hand to hand, until every inch
of it had been immersed three times.
aud the long irregular string became
q smooth, waxen ropo about tho
thickness of an ordinary lead.pencl.
This was then wound on wooden
stand-the Confederate candlestick
first around, then up aud down,
The free end was drawn through q
hole in strip Of this nailed for the
purpose on tie upper part of the
candlestick, and when the candle
was in use was lighted, the long
rope unwindiug like reel of yarn
as it was gradually consumed. The
light was, perhaps, not more than
equal to that of a toy candle, yet it
was not trying to the eyes, aud was
sufficient for the 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 crotched stick but, in
spite of this precaution, burnt fin
gers were not unfrequently the re-
suit of the candle making Harp.