All lighting was expensive and difficult to maintain. Candles were taxed from 1709, making them particularly costly, and were only used when absolutely necessary. Beeswax candles were the best and most expensive source of light, while tallow (animal fat) candles were cheaper but burned more quickly and produced an unpleasant smell. Tallow candles also required more attention when they were lit because the wick frequently had to be trimmed with scissors to keep the flame upright. Rushlights were the cheapest form of lighting, made by dipping a rush in tallow.