The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 20, 1863.

is well known that immense numbers of Lucifer
matches are sold yearly at a very small price, but
their cost to health and comfort is very differently
computed by those who take note of their effects.
The Commissioners remark on the prevalence of a
particular class of disease, called "jaw disease,'
which has arisen since the working of this manu-
facture. They advise in this case also the attendance
of a sanitary inspector, to effect what is possible
towards the maintenance of the health of those en-
gaged in this very unwholsome trade. The employ-
ment of boys as chimney-sweepersis the subject of
Although some time back an
Apacrttiwcuaslaprassed
notice.pr ohibiting this evil custom, the Act
is often allowed to fall into disnetude, and the nefa-
rious system continues. In order to obviate the
prevalence of this practice the Commissioners have
suggested an excellent scheme, '° that for the future
no master-sweeper shall be alloyed to employ in
his business, in any capacity whatever, any one
under the age of sixteen"; and, further, that no
person shall be allowed to carry on the trade of a
chimney sweeper until he has received a license
from a magistrate, renewable under certain circum-
stances. It is earnestly to be hoped that this
advice will be especially attended to, as there can
be no valid reason adduced against it, and by the
adoption of this simple plan great suffering will be
prevented, and the miseries of a persecuted class
will be put a stop to. There is hardly any style of
employment more cruel than tnis, and it is incum-
bent on our legislature to make it impossible at
once by the ingenious device alluded to. Particular
acts of prohibition are all very well in their way,
hut it once they are evaded or considered a dead
letter they are worse than if never calied into exist-
ence, because three who might plan an improve-
ment are deterred from so doing under the idea that
the evil exists no longer, while all the while in a
stealthy manner it is working out its designsand
swelling the ranks of its victims. The Cimmis-
sioners are now directed to inquire into the condi-
tion of the dressmakers and mihiners' apprentices,
and to ascertain what steps may be taken to im-
prove their condition. They could not be employed
in a better work, and the result of their investiga-
tion is sure to conduce to the welfare of the class
in whose service they are engaged. There are sure
to be many obstacles in the way, and many well-
disposed persons are certain to declare that
it will be impossible to render their
condition any better by interference. There is this
consolation, however, for those who earnestly desi-
derata some striking change to be introduced at
once, that no opposition can be greater than that
which was in force against the factory improve-
ments, nor can any denunciations as to the imprac-
ticability of all interference, and the injurious effects
of arbitrary rules, exceed the wrath and con-
sternation of those who militated against the Ten
Hours' Bill. Many years have passed away since
then ; the excitement has long since ceased and been
forgotten in many quarters, but the effects of the
good deed then accomplished are still extant among
us. So it will be when a like reform has been once
instituted in those establishments where helpless
young females toil from early morn till latest eve
at pursuits that are enervating to the mind and in-
jurious to the bodily frame, that exhaust vitality,
destroy the health, and often sow the seeds of death
itself. Once let prejudice and self interest be cast
aside, and there can exist no cause why inspoctioe
should not take place iu these departments of labour
as easily as in others where it has been tried suc-
cessfully for years. It is certain that to limit the
number of hours to a reasonable standard is the only
real and effectual mode of treating this subject.
employers are compelled to keep within do.
limits the tasks they set to their apprentices, an
important end will have been attained. If the
state of the establishments wi, h regard to ventila-
tion and other matters of a sanitary kind be also
attended to, a vast boon will be conferred on hun-
dreds of the community. If it be too late as regards
many hapless toilers to rectify the evils produced by
the pernicious old system, sail: it will be gratifying
to think that a new regime has been introduced, and
that all new comers will start under favourable
auspices, and not run the risk of an untimely
death, and the fearful certainty of a wretched life,
with broken health and impaired energy, till they
fall into a state that may be considered as more
painful than death itself. In the second report the
commissioners are sure to speak out strongly as to
the deleterious practices now lc vogue, and most
likely they will suggest many improvements. One
thing is certain, that no one in any rank can now
lay claim to ignorance on this subject. Through
the length and breadth of the land the voice o
wailing and lamentation has been heard concern

ing these distressed workwomen. Their cry has
reached alike the palace and the cottage, and
to all the varying grades and several classes
which exist between, may their appeal be
addressed. A more universal claim on general
sympathy, or one more invested with personal attri
butes cannot be brought forward. It certainly
brings into immediate contact the most diverse
classes of society, from the lowest, whose children,
born the heirs of toil, may any day be engaged in
-uch precarious vocations ; to the highest, whose
lives of ease render them an especial cause of that
employment for others which in this branch pro
.iuces inch direful ff eta. The C ensideratioa of this
mahj,-et stould not, therefore, be regarded as one
solely in the charge of the Cortmissionets. Thene
are many others who should make the task the it
own during the leisure hours that the approact,ing
autumn will afford them. If next season is to wit

ness no amelioration in tne cruel system now it,
vogue, it wilt be a disgrace and a scandal to thr
reputation of all concerned in the immediate traffic,
and a reproach to those more remotely connected
with the effair. In the days of old it was considered
that every English archer carried twelve men's
lives in his belt, and it would seem as if some per-
sons wished the ladies of this generation to
emulate the renown in a different style, so that
when they proceed to some gay place of resort they
can reflect that each sumptuous robe has cost a
life. If the jaded farms and ghastly visages
of these victims cot.ld appear at some gorgeous ban-
quet, they would rival the effect of the skeleton,.
at the Egyptian feasts of antiquity. There are
some things too inimical to the tastes and repug-
nant to the feelings of humanity to be tolerated,
and this overworking of childien and young per-
,..ons is one that comes essentially into tne category.
it is high time that a new era be introduced, and
that, in h
over-haste to make rich among the
grasping speirits
of this time, they do not destroy
what no wealth c,in replace, and yet what should be
counted us among the choicest riches in the stores of
When the Psalmist invoked
the well provided State,
t
teous, afford-
sired that their garners should be p ent
that their sons should
h
log all manner of store, —u
the chiefest blessing on the people, he not only de-
grow up as the young plants, and their daughters
ste the health
hose who sap the strength and wa
0; injuries on the
should be as the polished corners of the Temple.
of the rising generation are inflicting
community that no prosperity will counterbalance,
and robbing their country of ite mainstay and sup-
port, by undermining its vital source of welfare.
Truly 1.
—as the poet illustrated this sad state of
things in these linescc
11l fares the land, to hastening ills a prey)
Where wealth
accurattlatca sad men decay,"