Q. Why do palmer’s metallic wicks never need snuffing?
A. The wick is divided into two parts, each of which bends outward to the outside of the flame; where the end is intensely heated, and separated from the wick by the current of air up the candle.
Q. Why do common candles require to be snuffed?
A. Because the heat of the flame is not sufficient to consume the wick; and the longer the wick grows, the less heat the flame produces.
Q. Why do wax candles never need snuffing?
A. The wick of wax candles is made of very fine thread, which the heat of the flame is sufficient to consume: but the wick of tallow candles is made of coarse cotton, which is too substantial to be consumed by the heat of the flame, and must be cut off by snuffers.
Q. Why does a pin, stuck in a rush-light, extinguish it?
A. Because a pin (being a good conductor), carries away the heat of the flame from the wick, and prevents the combustion of the tallow.
Q. What is the smoke of a candle?
A. Solid particles of carbon separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.