NEW CHIMNEY-SWEEPING ACT. 81 



unnecessary interference, then it is that one 

 feels authorised to take up the pen and show 

 how philanthropy may sometimes cause mis- 

 chief in its workings. Witness the late unfor- 

 tunate expedition* up the river Niger. Witness 

 the subject of the present memoir. 



It makes one sick at stomach oneself, to see 

 people straining dismally at a gnat in the shape 

 of a little chimney-sweep, and then to perceive 

 them swallowing, with great ease, a camel, under 

 the figure of a poor and unhealthy operative 

 employed in the factory. 



Benevolence is certainly a heavenly feeling. 

 .A generous heart will always rejoice to see it 

 operate in alleviation of real misery and op- 

 pression. Being doomed by Omnipotence, 

 through the original sin of Adam, to gain our 

 daily bread by the sweat of our brow, it requires 

 considerable reflection, ere we set about to alter 

 the long-established customs of our country; 

 lest, by an ill-judged^ v -ference, we do more 



* I was consulted on the probable issue of that lamentable 

 undertaking. I used every argument in my power to prevent 

 its taking place. On seeing that my arguments were of no 

 avail, I said : " Tf you are determined that the experiment shall 

 be tried, go yourself, in person, and then you will have the 

 melancholy satisfaction of falling with the other victims." 



G 



