Star.
London, England, 1819-02-18 00:00:00

CLIMIIMG EOM

Mr. BENNET having- moved that the House re-
solve itself into a Committee on the Bill for abolish-
ing the use of Climbing Boys,
Mr. GRENFELL praised the exertions and huma-
nity of his Honourable Friend in having brought
such a Bill before the Hease. He belonged himself
to a Fire Office, and had inquired this morning from
the Secretary what numbn of chimneys usually took
fire within stated periods? The answer had been,
from 60 to 70 every month. On looking back to
those which had been on fire for several months, he
had found that the proportion of those which caught
fire after having been swept by machines, was oily
two out of sixty-five I He had then inquired what.
proportion of chimneys were swept with machines?
To this no direct answer could be given, bat the Se-
cretary had stated that thousands were now swept in'
that manner. These facts fully proved the safety,
and he might even say, the additional safety of em-
ploying machines instead of boys. They also spewed
that the object of his Honourable Friend was not
visionary. It had been objected that parishes would
no longer have the means of sending out boys`
that degrading and destructive employment, but that'
was an argument which, however good for parishes,
would, he trusted, have no weight with the House.
Mr. OMMANNEY gave credit to the Honourable
Author of the Bill, for the humanity of his intentions.
But he hoped that he would not forget that a certain
class of chimnies could not be swept by machinery.
Colonel WOOD thought the Honourable Gentle-
man could not have read the Report of the Commit-
tee, when he recommended the partial use of climb-
ing boys, notwithstanding the adoption of machinery.
Ile could not be aware of the horrible treatment and
sufferings which children of a tender age experienced
in that employment. If there were chimneys in this
metropolis which could not be swept any other way,
then the sooner they were burnt down the better—
(llenr, hear. and laughter).
Mr. BROUGHAM commented on the present
mode of apprenticing children to chimney-sweepers,
and maintained that it ought to be considered not as
a due interference of the parent with the child, but
as little less than a crime. It was certainly true, that
no legislative enactment ought to prevent people
from engaging in any honest employment; but in
the case of chimney-sweepers apprentices, there was
evidently no free agency. The Bill now before the
Mouse was no novelty, inasmuch as the object of it
was, in a great measure, recognised by a former Act'
of the Legislature; namely, the 28th of the King.—
The lion. and Learned Gentleman having read- the
preamble of the Act, concluded with expressing his
perfect concurrence in the humane and laudable
views which originated the Bill under consideration.
Mr. DENMAN felt persuaded that the principle
of this Bill might be carried too far. If machinery
were proved tn be preferable to climbing boys, the
people of England would not be so cruel as to 'em-
ploy the latter, and neglect the former. But of this
be had considerable doubts ; and he thought that it
ought to be left to the good sense of the public,
either to abolish or to continue the practice which had
hitherto prevailed, without enacting any legislative
measure with regard to it. He was averse, however,
to young children being employed as chimney-
sweepers, yet he was not altogether satisfied that
their time would not be occupied to more advantage
in this way, than in going about as vagrants, which
might otherwise be the cake. By a clause in the for-
mer Act of Parliament, any master chimney-sweeper
breaking his covenant, was liable to a certain penalty;
and he (Mr. Denman) could not see that the present
Bill was at all called for. But his chief objection
against it was, the power which it would give to
Magistrates of inflicting penalties on testimony which
in many cases might be very questionable. If ma-
chinery could in reality supersede the necessity of
climbing boys, as had been repeatedly stated, why
had not notices been sent through the country to in-
form the public where the machines were to be had ?
Mr. GRENFELL said a few words in explanation,
and stated again, that out 8E65 fires in one month,
two only took place in chimnies that had been swept
by machinery.
Mr. WILBERFORCE knew' that every measure
of a public nature was liable to considerable preju-
dice till its utility was proved. There was in Eng-
land a great deal of principle ' • but this might fre-
quently lead to obstinacy in a bad cause, as well as
to perseverance in a good one. It was not without
much difficulty, and before thousands had fallen vic-
timf to the small pox, that the people of this country
were taught to appreciate the inestimable effects of
vaccination, Machines, though they could not be
made as perfect as might •be desired in the first in-
stance, would unquestionably be much improved in'
their contrivance in the course of time ; but if the
experiment were to be suspended.till then, how many
hapless creatures must safer in the mean time
Foe himself, he could not but admire those feelings
of solicitous hunianity which induced the Honour.
able Member to propose so laudable a measure as
the present.
Mr. BARHAM, in corroboration of what had
haw mid by the Honourable Member for Bramber,
obenved, that in a certain part of Wales, where he
Mr. Barham) resided twenty years ago, chimney-
sweepers were aot known, and that when introduced
hip the neighbourhood, so great was the prejudice
hut them, they could not for some time find any
ilanployment.
'The question being put, the House resolved-

into a Committee on the Bill for the better regulat-
iar Chimney Sweepers, when sundry blanks were
Mr.utENNET thought that fotirteen was a proper
age at which boys might be apprenticed to chimney
sweepers.
Abr. Alderman WOOD agreed in this opinion,
and urged, as an additionarreason why machines
should be used, that most of those who had served
theitapprenticeships to chimney sweepers, were in
manhood thrown a burden upon the parish, not
being able to provide for themselves after they were
out of their time.
Mr. ONIMANNEY could deny, from the experi-
ence of actual bbservations, the allegations made by
the Honourable Member, that this description of
persons looked to the parish for support. He had
always seen chimney-sweepers with cheerful counte-
nances; and dejection was hardly ever observed in
the faces of any of them. With respect to the ques-
tion of age, he thought that a boy might be bound ,
at eight years old without any danger to his health; I
and therefore was willing, if fourteen were insisted
upon, to split the difference.—(d laugh.) In his opi-
inion, chimney-sweepers might be considered a good
nursery for the Navy (a laugh), so active and vigorous
were they in geraral,
Mr. BENNET was surprised to hear opinions
urged without proof of a due consideration having
been given to the subject., It would be sufficient only
to walk the streets to see among climbing boys the
most repelling instances of disease and deformity.
Sir ISAAC COFFIN said he never heard of ten,
chimney-sweepers having served in the navy.
Mr. Alerman WOOD believed that tht only, cause
of mirth which a chimney-sweeper could have must
be his extricating himself from some narrow flue
where he was in danger of being suffocated.
Mr. BENNET knew an instance of a child of five
years old, having been left at home by the mother,
'and sold by the father to a chimney-sweeper, before
her return.

The question was• then pat as to the age of bind-
ing out apprentices, and 14 was the time agreed upon,
with a penalty of £5O and not less than EIO Upon
any master taking an apprentice under that age, or
over twenty-one.
Mr. DENMAN farther proposed to modify the
clause in the Bill, which went to abolish the use al-
together of climbing boys under a certain age. The,
Bill was contemplated to take effect the 21st of
March, 1,20, but he doubted whether things would
be so matured by that time as to dispense altogether
with the modes now used. Beside*, the necessity it
would impose on the owners of private houses, whose
incomes may be limited, would be very severe from
the expense of changing flues and making other pre-
parations. The inconveniences would likewise be felt
at the public offices.
Mr. BENNET, in explanation, said, the very clause
to which the Honourable Gentleman now took ex-
ception, was identified with the vital principle of the
Bill itself. If the Committee were disposed to place
again at the discretion of masters that power over
children of tender age which the former Act gave
them, he was but little anxious about the success of
the other clauses of it. They were not ignorant to
what extent these men were inclined to stretch any
power given them, and should the Committee but
concede to them a discretion over children of eight
years of age, they would assume a power over those
of six. He was of opinion, that the ends of huma-
nity would not be compassed, if children, at an age
when they could be made victims of cruelty, were
placed at the disposal of hard-hearted masters; and
again repeated, that if the Committee should ex-
punge this clause, they might as well throw out the
Bill altogether.
Mr. WILBERFORCE was of opinion that the ob-
jections which the Honourable Gentleman had raised
to this clause were rather too general and premature.
The Amendment of the clause was then negatived
without a division.

The House resumed and the Report of the Com-
miuee was ordered to be received to-morrow.

WINDSOR ESTABLISHMENT.

The Report of the Committee on the Windsor
Establishment was brought up by Mr. V. FiTzcz-
RALD, and ordered to be pruned.

USURY LAWS.
Upon the motion of Mr. Serjeant Ora Low, that
the House do resolve itself into a Committee on the
Usury Laws Bill,
Mr. OMMANNEY expressed a wish that the con-
sideration of this subject should not now be pressed
upon the House, fit= the small number of Memberi
in attendance.

Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW replied, that the Honour-
able Gentleman must have been absent when this Bill
had undergone so full an investigation at its second
reading. If he had heard the discussion upon it at
that stage, he was sure his Honourable Friend would
be far from charging him with precipitancy in urging
it upon the House at this time.
The House then went into a Committee, and the
Ileport was ordered to be brought up to-morrow.

SMUGGLERS.

The Report of the Committee on the Smugglers'l
Apprehension Bill was ordered to be brought up tet-
morrow.—Adjourned at Eight o'clock.

A Second Edition of the admirable Letters of Ho-
RACE WAILTOLI to GIORO2 MONTAGU, has just ap-
peared, in which the real names of all the distin-
guished persons alluded to are restored. George
Montagu was the son of Brigadier-General Edward
Montagu, and nephew to the second Earl of Halifax.
He was Member of Parliament for Northampton,
Usher of the Black Rod in Ireland during the Lieu-
tenancy of the Earl of Halifax, Private Secretary to
Lord North when Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
the most intimate friend of Horace Walpole.
LITERATURE.—W 2 are requested to state that New
Editions of the following popular Works have been
just published by Mt'. CoLauari, Conduit-street:
1. Horace Walpole 's Letters to George Montague, 4te. with
all the Names restored.-2. Franklin's Life and Correspondence
1 4 vole. evo.-5. Northcote's Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 2 vols:
Svo.-4. Watkins's Life of Sheridan, 2 vole. 2•0.-2. Lady Mar-
pa's France, 5 volt. Svo.-6. Florence 11Iaeartby, 4 vols.—
7. Memolresde la Cour de Louie XI V. pae•lYAiiseau, 5 vols.
—of Madame D'Epinay, S vols.-of Count de Las C 1...., I vel.
—of Touche, Duke of Otranto, I von—.and of the Duchesee
D'Angooleme, 1 von.—a. Letters written during a Ten Years'
residence at the Conte et Tripoli, I vol.-4. Journal of an'
EnglislrTrawiler, With Anecdotes of the Princess of Wales.--
10. Barrett's Weems, a Porim.-41. Amusements to Retire-
CbstarasiCe lowan w Ds g. &Orr go*

THE EVENING STAR

LONDON.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, '319.
THE FUNDS.
PRICE 07 STOOKS THIS DAY AT ONE O.ELCCA:
3 per Cent. Reduced 77i—Cons. /Gfit
Cons. for Acc. 7601---41 per Cent. 86;
4 per Cent. 95ff--5 per Cent. Navy 105:,;.1
Bk. Lg. Ans. 20 3-16 5-16--.-India Stock 2:4): 5
India Bonds GS 59 pr.—Commercial lOs. dk.
Excheq. Bills (2d,) 18 19 pr.

Philadelphia and New York Papers to t:.-2
ult. arrived this morning. They arc chiefly occt!;)i.d
with discussions in Congress relative to the Unitel
States Bank, and on the Report of the Cr,-nmirxe of
,Military Affairs on the Seminole war. Thi,. Rept
concludes with the following Remlution

" That the liaise of llepresentatircs of the rrltetl Rtav
' disapproves of the proceedings in the Trial and L•'ze:si:Lia .4
Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert Ainlvrister."

This business occupied the attention of the 11,4•41
for many hours on the 20th .Iwriary and forow;:iz
days ; when some of the Alernho,r were on their lezi
fur an hour and some for two hours.

Mr. Cosa moved in a Committee—" That tlie
Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to pre.
part•ond report a Bill to tl.is House, prohibiti.-g
time of peace or in time of war, with any Indiaotri:v
or tribes only, the execution of any cailtive takes
the Army of the United States, without tt>> anrot:-
tion of such execution by the President.—That this
House disapproves the seizure of the Potts of St.
Mark's, Pensacola, and the Fortress of Raranca,cua.
Mary to orders, and in violation of the Constitutioe..—
That the same Committee be also instructed to pre.
pare and report a Bill, prohibiting the march of tit
army of the United States, or any corps thereof,
arty foreign territory, without the previous anthoria-
tion of Congress ; excer it be in the case of frr
pursuit of a defeated enemy of the United ,',arts,
taking refuge within such foreign territory."
Mr. Coast spoke two hours. He was follow-et!
the opposite side by Mr. HoLmrs of Massadun.-:1.
who had only concluded one branch of this
when, having given way at the request a Meri,er,
the Committee agreed to rise; and. leave being
.to sit-again, the Amendment moved in Commitav
was ordered to be printed, and the House adj,,l:med•

A Mail fromilolland has arrived, by wiiich —e
have received Dutch and German Papers to i.
13th instant.

The PORTZ, which had shewn some reluctzrct to
recognize the Kale and Kingdom of the NETIIEI-,
LANDS (not liking, as is believed, to do any thing ~iat
should have the appearance of approving of the pro-
ceedings of the Congress of Vienna), has, by the
friendly interference of the Russian Minister, bcvn
induced to make a declaration of its recognition.
There have been some tumultuary prccee,'jn,.ss
em lag the cloth-workers at Verviers, where, like
some infatuated people among ourselves, they save
proceeded to destroy the machinery intended for the
improvement of their Manufactures.

Bit the most important article presented in these
Papers is, perhaps, that from Frankfort, relative to
the Grand• Duchy of Hesse, where the Pei No: has
desired the people to apply directly to himulf «hen
they feel themselves aggrieved by any of the mea-
sures of Government.

;if, JANUARY te.

On New-year's Day there was a grand Drawing-
room at the winter Palace, to receive the congra-
tulations of the Nobility. In the evening the City
was illuminated. On the same day several prumu-
dons in the higher military departments were made.

To the astonishment of the oldest inhabitants, we
have not yet any thing that can be called winter.—
Sometimes the mercury in the Thermometer is at
the freezing point, or at the most at one or two de-
grees below it, but only for a few hours. Generally
we have gloomy weather, the Thermometer one or
two of Reaumur above freezing, and no snow. 111
wind blows from the S.S.W. and W.

The annals of our Meteorology afford no example
of such a temperature in our climate as we hare this
year. In several parts of the Empire, both to the
North and to the South, they have the usual winter•
Thus accounts from Woronesk, of 19th December,
state, that much snow had fallen, and that the Ther-
mometer was at 20 min. Similar accounts have heel
received from Archangel and the Wolga.,