108: Report respecting Climbing Boys. 
For the. first class, the machines already in use are, quite. ef- 
ficient ; they are also competent to sweep part of the second. 
class ; forthe remainder of the second class. the ball and. brush 
is perfectly efficient, unless any error in, the construction has given, 
the only, bend in them a dip, the contrary way. In the third-class, 
where, the ascent is at all preserved, the ball and brush still acts. 
effectually ; as it will also do in the fourth class, where there are 
no. parts entirely level. The remainder of the fourth class.com-, 
prehends those flues, which have several bends, and are frequently. 
horizontal ; and in these cases it is alike necessary to let in re- 
gisters or doors, whether they are swept by boys or machines, 
there being, no other security for the safety of the boys than this 
measure; which when done, actually presents the means of sweep- 
ing-by a common machine. 
As far as my experience has led me, J consider the proportions 
of the different classes nearly as under; out of 1,000 flues, 910 
of the first class, 50 of the second, 30 of the third, and 10 of the 
fourth, 
For the first and second classes, the machinery has been proved, 
at Kensington Palace, the Queen’s Palace, the Mint, the Speak- 
er’s house, Lord Liverpool’s, Mr. Huskisson’s, Mr. Nash’s, and 
at the Office of Works: but acase has occurred at the Queen’s 
Palace, where a flue of the second class could not be swept by the 
ball. and brush; and upon examining the external part of the chim- 
ney, by going between the timbers of the ceiling and lead flat 
above, that part of the flue was out of a level, the end nearest 
the shaft being lower than that next the fire-place. 
I have not seen a machine that will sweep many flues of the third 
and fourth classes; but have succeeded with the ball and brush 
at the several palaces and places above enumerated; and in the 
last week a chimney was swept at the Tower with a ball and 
brush. in half an hour, which a boy was five hours sweeping a 
short time since, and in which, I am informed, a boy was once 
confined 28: hours. 
The necessity of putting doors in the remainder of those classes, 
has been proved at the Speaker’s house, where, for want of them, 
they are obliged to cut out tiles or take down part of the stone 
work every time the servants’ hall chimney is swept. by a boy ; 
as well as at Somerset Place, where they have put doors in conse- 
quence of accidents: occurring. Much has been stated by the 
parties interested, about the injury done to the pargetting by the 
use of the machinery and the ball and brush ; but so far as the 
closest observation has enabled me to form an opinion, this is en— 
tirely without foundation; for in the use of the common machine 
less. compression is required than is exerted by the hoys to sustain 
their own weight ; and with the ball and brush, unless there is a 
level, 
