Light Procuring Devices Ancient and Modern.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 20 January 1906, Page 50

Light Procuring Devices Ancient and Modern.

Few people living to-day remember when the tinder box was a necessity. But these few are the only ones xvho thoroughly appreciate the conveninencc of matches. With the aid of a tinder box one sometimes obtained a light in less than two minutes, but if the conditions were unfavourable one might spend half an hour or more before getting from the reluctant tinder box the spark which would kindle the fire, i The process sounds simple. The lid of the box was removed and a bit of candle stuck in the socket. Next the flint, steel, matches, and damper were taken from the box, one match being drawn from the bundle and laid ready for immediate use. The handle of the .steel was grasped firmly ill the left hasd ami Ibe flint held between the thumb and forefinger of the'right hand.

Nine inches was considered the proper .distance between the steel and the tinder. This was measured roughly in the dark by placing the tip of the little fiiiger on the rim of the-box, spreading the hand upward, and placing the bottom of the steel on the tip of the thumb. The Hint was then struck sharply with the steel several times, obliquely and downward. The impact caused the steel to give off sparks, really minute globules of molten metal, at a temperature of several thousand degrees, and these, falling upon the tinder, soon set it alight. The box was then taken in the hands and gently blown to cause the smouldering tinder to glow more brightly, and to this glow the point of a sulphur match was quickly applied. The flame of the burning sulphur quickly kindled the wood of the match, and it was then easy to light the- candle or morning fire. Although the process was not difficult for an expert under favourable circumstances, it was at best slow and tedious. One might strike a hundred modern matches, one by one, in less time. Tire flint commonly used in the tinder box was such as might be picked up in any flint district. All that was necessary was that it should be so shaped that it could be held easily between the fingers and should have sharp, clear edges. These were commonly sold in the streets of London for a penny, and are still manufactured in Brandon, Eng-

land, for export to Spain, Italy, an! the East. The match then used was not like those of to-day, winch ignite spontaneously when struck. Originally a “match” was any' substance which burned readily and slowly. The bit of slow burning hempen rope steeped in a solution of saltpetre, which the ancient gunner carried in order to discharge his arquebus, was a “match.” It burned at the rate of about three feet in an hour. The old sulphur match was intended not to produce but to convey fire. In London matches were commonly sold by the poorest and raggedest class of street merchants, who lived in dirty lodgings in the poorest districts where ! they imide the matches, carrying them about in a basket for sale. Few houses with any pretensions escaped without at least one call a day from these vendors as long lis the trade lasted. The great difficulty was to find dry tinder. Naturally it was very ready to absorb moisture, and when allowed to become damp the difficulty of obtaining a light in the morning was great. To avoid this trouble the tinder box was usually kept in a specially dry place. Often there was a small niche made on purpose in the brickwork at the back of the large open hearth place. Often the box was placed in the evening on the hearth, close to the fire, and at bedtime was carried up stairs, warm and dry, and placed •beneath the pillow.