Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/113

Rh disadvantage to be set against them, although I have tried this improved method for several months. The three principles upon which the new candles are to be made, are the following: First, the new wick has only three quarters of the usual number of cotton threads, if the candle be of wax or spermaceti; and only two thirds of the usual number, if the candle be of tallow. Secondly, the wick must, in all cases, be perfectly free from damp, which essential circumstance is frequently not attended to. And, thirdly, with respect to the manufacture of wax-candles, the wick must be previously prepared by being kept in melted wax till it has lost all the common air that it contained: whilst that operation is performing on the wick, the melted wax appears to be full of froth.

If this plan should become general, we should no longer be in danger of running short of the raw material; but, at all events, the individuals who adopt it, will receive the benefit above-mentioned.

A small wick. A large wick. With wax’d wick

Number of candles in one pound. Weight of one candle. The time one candle lasted. The time that one pound will last. The expence in twelve hours when candles are at 12s. per dozen, which also shews the proportion of the expence at any price, per dozen.

18¾ 19 16½ 12 10¾ 7¾ 8 5¾ Mould candles. 5⅞ 4 3

Oz. Dr. 0 14 0 13½ 0 15½ 1 5¾ 1 8 2 1 2 0 2 13 Each. 2 12 4 0 5 2¾

Hr. Min. 3 15 2 40 2 40 3 27 3 36 4 9 4 15 5 19

7 20 9 3 17 30

Hr. Min. 59 26 50 34 44 2 41 24 38 24 21 12 34 0 30 15

42 39 36 20 52 30

Farthings and hundredth parts. 9.70 11.40 13.08 13.92 15.00 17.88 16.94 19.06 Moulds at 14d. per dozen. 15.74 18.56 16.825

The time each candle lasted, was taken from an average of several trials on each size.