THE 



MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 



VOL. V.] MAY, 1828. [No. 29- 



HEPORT OF THE SOCIETY FOR SUPERSEDING THE NECESSITY OF 

 CLIMBING-BOYS IN SWEEPING CHIMNIES. 



WE have placed the title of this little tract at the head of the present 

 article, not for the purpose of giving our readers any specific account of 

 its contents, but to introduce a few remarks upon the practice against 

 which it is directed. The pamphlet itself (which is published at a price 

 almost nominal, the service of their cause, and not emolument, being the 

 object of those who produce it) is interesting, and contains many facts 

 well worth the consideration of those who think humanity a duty, or find 

 pleasure in its exercise. But, as may fairly be expected under such cir- 

 cumstances, it reasons only on one side of the question. We shall en- 

 deavour, and we think without any chance of endangering its ultimate 

 success, to take a short review of both. 



Of the exceeding misery of the unhappy little creatures on whose 

 behalf the very respectable society already named is interesting itself, 

 we take it there can be no doubt : and we merely abstain from going 

 into evidence of the fact, in order to avoid any possible suspicion that 

 we are making out a case. If the truth of this charge were even ques- 

 tioned, there is testimony enough before us, ten times over, to put an 

 end to all objection. The evidence before the two Committees (in 1818) 

 of the Houses of Lords and Commons although we fully agree that the 

 proposal for abolishing the power of using climbing-boys for the purpose 

 of sweeping chimnies was properly and justifiably negatived at that time 

 by Parliament is crowded with statements, at which it is impossible to 

 look without feeling the most painful compassion for the helpless little 

 objects who are concerned in them. It appears and the facts are even 

 uncontradicted from the evidence before the Lords' Committee, that 

 the children employed in this miserable trade are commonly bought by 

 the master-sweepers that is, a sum of money is given by the master to 

 those persons whose poverty or heartlessness will induce them to part 

 with their children for such a purpose always at the youngest possible 

 age, and, in most cases, as early as six or seven years old. The task of 

 climbing chimnies is taught them with great suffering, and often by the 

 most scandalous and disgusting severities ; and, when learned, it affects 

 three out of four with lasting deformity or disease. As two-thirds of the 

 " sweep-masters" as they are called, are of the very lowest order of the 

 community, it generally happens that their children are treated with 

 great brutality, and as little else than temporary engines of gain : ill fed, 



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