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Updated: June 2, 2025
Some of the "candle-snuffers" of the "first comers" doubtless still remain. We may be sure every family had its candles, "betty-lamps," candlesticks, and "snuffers." "Lanthorns" were of the primitive, perforated tin variety only "serving to make darkness visible" now found in a few old attics in Pilgrim towns, and on the "bull-carts" of the peons of Porto Rico, by night.
No locks or keys they had; but that was no matter, for they fell abroad at a touch, and inside of them was a lot of plate candlesticks, snuffers, tea-kettles, table silver, and the like. "Thunder!" cried out Jonathan. "'Tis all pewter trash, not worth a five-pound note! Us'll dig again." And dig they did for a week, till the farmyard in that place was turned over like a trenched kitchen-garden.
This den was lighted by one candle stuck in the neck of a broken bottle, and as there were no snuffers Bassi's wife snuffed it cleverly with her finger and thumb, wiping her hand on the table-cloth after throwing the burnt wick on the floor.
"I have no particular spleen against the fellow who sweeps the stage with the besom, or the hero who brushes it with his train. It were a matter of indifference to me whether our heroines are in keeping, or our candle snuffers burn their fingers, did not such make a great part of public care and polite conversation.
The candles were burning brightly after each application of the snuffers; the polished mahogany microscope case stood on a side-table, and the brass tube that had been taken out was ready to receive one of the many slips of glass, some of which had little cup-like hollows ground out of one side ready for receiving a tiny drop of water and one or other of the specimens, the result of the past day's search.
He undertook to explain the use and nature of those things which were new to them. Some of his explanations were whimsical enough. Seeing, for instance, a pair of snuffers, he told them that they were "Nuffer* for candle," which the others not comprehending, he opened the snuffers, and holding up the fore-finger of his left hand, to represent a candle, made the motion of snuffing it.
Wilson was heard from the little back-room, where she was to pass the night. "Who's there?" Job gave no answer, and kept down his breath, that she might think herself mistaken. The landlady, having no such care, dropped the snuffers with a sharp metallic sound, and then, by her endless apologies, convinced the listening woman that Job had returned. "Job! Job Legh!" she cried out nervously.
"Two pair of large Brass sliding Candlesticks about 4 shillings a Pair. "Two pair of large Brass Candlesticks not sliding of the newest Fashion about 5 or 6 shillings a pair. "Four Brass Snuffers with stands. "Six small strong Brass Chafing dishes about 4 shillings apiece. "One Brass basting Ladle; one larger Brass Ladle. "One pair of Chamber Bellows with Brass Noses.
There was a black sofa studded with brass nails that shone as if they had been lately polished, a tall desk and bookcase going up to the ceiling, brass and silver candlesticks and snuffers' tray, as well as a bright steel "tinder box" on the high, narrow mantel. A big mahogany table stood in the centre of the room, polished until you could see your face in it.
Then there are candlesticks, snuffers, spectacles, butter-molds, bonnets, dresses, shoes, baby-stockings, cradles, rattles, aprons, butter-tubs made out of a solid piece, shovels to match, andirons, pokers, skillets and blue china galore. "Bill Spear" himself is quite a curiosity.
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