IX
CANDLESTICKS
AND LAMPS
CHAPTER IX
CANDLESTICKS AND LAMPS
Fire-making apparatus—Candles and candlesticks—Oil lamps and lanterns.
Artificial light and heat were among the first scientific discoveries of primeval man. To harness the forces of Nature was undoubtedly a great achievement, and at first would be viewed with alarm. The fire which had been kindled from natural causes would be looked upon with awe by the cave men or the dwellers in the forest. When they saw it dying down they would very naturally make some effort to keep the fire burning by adding fresh fuel. The time would come, however, when lighting a fire by artificial means would be resorted to; and the methods adopted in those far-off days involved the use of primitive contrivances, some of which are described on the next page. The fire burning under the camp kettle would in course of time suggest a flaming torch, which could be carried about at will; and from the torch, which burned all too quickly, came the discovery of oil lamps and the candle. At first this was only a rushlight, used side by side with the cresset torch; and then in later days came lamps and lanterns.