fir-can'le

Updated: May 8, 2025

The iron lamp, with its wick of rush-pith, which hung against the side of the chimney, was lighted, and John sat down to read. But as his eyes and the print, too, had grown a little dim with years, the lamp was not enough, and he asked for a 'fir-can'le. A splint of fir dug from the peat-bog was handed to him. He lighted it at the lamp, and held it in his hand over the page.

George MacDonald - Robert Falconer

Now Grizzie had a curious dislike to any admission of the poverty of the house even to those most interested, and having but one small candle-end left, was unwilling both to yield it, and to confess it her last. "Them 'at burns daylicht, sune they'll hae nae licht!" she said. "What wad ye want wi' a can'le? I'll haud a fir-can'le to ye, gien ye like." "Grizzie," repeated Cosmo, "I want a can'le."

George MacDonald - Warlock o' Glenwarlock