In New France, as elsewhere, the only means of illumination at night were lamps burning whale or seal oil, or candles. People going abroad at night carried storm lanterns. Indoors, candles were preferred. They gave a soft flattering light. To illuminate a large room or a church, chandeliers fashioned of carved or turned wood and sometimes of wrought-iron were used. They could hold as many as thirty-six candles. Frequently these were works of art which could cost 100 livres or more. Chandeliers were often suspended by pulley arrangements for lowering and raising to replace the candles. Since candles were not cheap, the people did not waste the daylight hours. They rose at sunrise and usually retired by nine o'clock, except when entertaining. The normal working day stretched from sunrise to sunset.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada
