Or use a long piece of wire for this purpose. The wick may be knotted, where it comes out of the lower end of the mold, to keep it taut. Melted tallow, hot enough to be easily poured, is poured into the mold until it is filled, the wicks are then pulled tight, and the candles allowed to cool. When quite cold they may be removed by the loops in the wicking at the top of the mold.
To Roll Candles.—Wax candles can not be molded, as wax has a tendency to contract in cooling and also to adhere to the molds; hence the wicks are arranged on frames similar to dip ping frames and suspended over a kettle of melted wax. The wax is then poured over the wicks by means of a ladle, so that what does not ad here to them falls back into the kettle. This process is continued until the candles are of the proper size. They are then taken one by one and rolled to the proper shape between two pad dles of hard wood previously soaked in water.
Or while soft the melted wax may be applied to the wicks with the hand, and the candles afterwards rolled, cut, and trimmed.
To Imitate Wax Candles. — Melt together two parts of wax to one of tallow, and make into candles either by dipping or molding. These have the appearance of wax candles and are much more easily prepared. The tallow should be clear-grained fat, cleansed of all its impurities.
To Bleach Candles.—Candles may be bleached by exposing them to dew, air, and sunshine. If wax candles become soiled, they may be cleansed by rubbing them with a piece of flannel cloth slightly dampened with alcohol.
To prevent candles from dripping and sputtering, put them on ice for two or three hours before using, but do not allow the wicks to touch the melting ice. Before lighting, turn the candle upside down and rub a pinch of salt into the wick between the thumb and forefinger. Shake off the excess of salt so that the grains will not fall on the candle. The result
will be an even, clear burning.
To Light a Candle. — Apply the match to the side of the wick, and not to the top.
To Blow Ont a Candle.—Hold the candle higher than the mouth and blow it out by an upward instead of a downward air current. This will prevent the wick from smoldering.
To Carry Candles.—When carrying a lighted candle about the house use a short piece held in the middle of a tumbler. Let the candle drip for a moment into the bottom of the tum bler, and fasten it by its own drip pings. The glass will protect the candle from draughts.
Candlesticks.—A supply of candle sticks in all parts of the house will not only be of great convenience and utility but will give an effective touch of decoration to a home. A row of brass or bronze candlesticks of various sizes may be placed in the hall for bedroom use. Silver or glass may be used in the dining room, delft or china in the drawing-room, and can dlestick sets with match box and snuffers on the bedside tables.
Candlesticks are always acceptable bridal presents, and the fad or fashion of collecting antiques and preserving heirlooms of this sort commends itself on account of the many pleasant as sociations connected with candlelight.
Rushlights. — The old - fashioned rushlights may be made by stripping the skin from the rushes and dipping the pith in melted tallow in the same manner that candles are dipped. These were formerly used for many house hold purposes.
Blectricity.—The first cost of in stalling electricity is considerable. It is in most localities an expensive light and is somewhat hard upon the eyes, but notwithstanding these drawbacks it is perhaps the most convenient of all forms of lighting, and hence its use seems to be upon the increase.