Chimney sweepers' boys. The resolutions and petition to Parliament ... of the inhabitants of Sheffield ... To which is added an address ... / by Samuel Roberts.

  • Sheffield (England)
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Chimney sweepers' boys. The resolutions and petition to Parliament ... of the inhabitants of Sheffield ... To which is added an address ... / by Samuel Roberts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    writer of this Address has heard a Magistrate declare on the Bench, that he well knew a. Master Chimney Sweeper m London, who had upwards of One Hundred Apprentices. . . . The Law does not allow* of a Boy to he hound before he is eight years of age—yet the Masters employ them as Climbers very commonly between six and seven, though they may probably not of ten be bound till they are older. The Law enacts that they shall not cry the street before seven, nor after twelve o’clock in winter • it is however well known, that they are often out at that season, before five, and are kept out f seeking work for the next day), till late in the evening. By Law the Masters are bound to provide them annual y with one Hew Sunday, and one new working dress;—not * seems probable, does so. They are also strictly prohibited from Row¬ ing or lending Apprentices, yet it appeals to e a ie>y practice amongst them to do so; even here, one-fourth of tie^ast^ have not a single Apprentice of their own'-Whatever work therefoie they undertake must be done by borrowed Apprentices. ■ The endeavours to ameliorate the condition by improving the morals of the Boys, has unfortunately proved almost equaly aooitive; and, whilst they are kept in the same degraded and oppressed situation, such endeavours, there is no doubt, must always prom so. oppor tunities of instruction which the Committee recommended and procured for the Boys were neglected—probably derided. The advice a ach they gave them, they either could not comprehend, or did not aUendw. It was generally received with inattention, y not impatience, l Books with which they furnished them, did not semi to proauce any lasting good effect—probably they were soon gambled away. To procure for the Climbing Boys one happy day m the year, by giving them an annual entertainment on Easter Monday, when tie Committee always dine with them, has been the only par. of their attempt in which their friends here have fully succeeded, lo tfm happy day the pleasing expectations of the,poor children are turned kn before it 'arrives, it shines like a solitary bright star, enlivening the un¬ varied darkness that otherwise surrounds them.—Jo this feast tiny . come limping and hobbling (for not one that ever came could walk with that freedom and elasticity with which other children move,) u countenances clear from sorrow, and as c eai as icy can cj * sootand, (perhaps excepting the admonitory part,) they enjoy and profit by whatever is set before them. ‘ This, and this only, of the efforts of the. Committee appears to do much immediate good.-They have, however gained some know¬ ledge by experience—that knowledge may, with the blessing of God, be 'eventually more beneficial to the objects of their attention, than, if - ’ • treater degree succeeded in their first design. 1 <,/ they had in a grcuoor -- -- - -- ^ c hnf] have learnt to know, (what Dr. Buchan, in his advice to mothers, )ad long before told the public,) that “ nothing less than a Law prohibit! the practice altogether can avail.—Lay the axe “ he says,, a^ on.t j* the root of the tree.—The evil admits of no other remedy. — ' surely he continues, “ there is humanity enough in both HoiisesofBarhavient to take up the subject, without, any other appeal to their feelings than « bare representation off acts.”