Tallow Candles

Tallow is made from the fat of sheep and cattle.  It was melted and wicks dipped into it, each time building up another layer until the required thickness was reached.  Pure tallow would have burned more cleanly than if it was adulterated.  Charlotte may have been jesting when she says that Richard likes real tallow candles, as the family could have afforded bees wax candles.  It is also possible that Richard preferred tallow candles to oil lamps.