|
We know little about the effort to prohibit the use of children to sweep chimleys. Presumably this occurred in most European countries. At this time we only have information on Britain. A group in ERngland concerned about the exploitation of children founded the "Society for Superceeding Climbing Boys" (1803). The groups objective was the promotion of cleaning equipment rather than boys to clean the chimneys. In the 18th century such equipment did not exist. George Smart invented effective equipment. Joseph Glass made important improvements (1828). The use of the equipment, however, did not catch on. Master sweeps were reluctant to change, especially because the use of boys was cheaper than the equipmet. The House of Lords voted down a bill to ban the use of children under 10 as chimney sweeps (1804). MP H. Bennett sponsored legislation to stop the most serious abuse of child sweeps (1817-19). The issue was debated by notable figures of the day like William Wilberforce (the anti-slavery crusader) and the Earl of Lauderdale. No progress was made until a law was finally passed prohibiting anyone under 21 years of age from climbing chimneys (1840). The law proved ineffective because the fines were so small. It was until the publication of The Water-Babies that public opinion finally demanded action (1862-63). [Wilson, p. 299.] Lord Shaftesbury introduced an act which imposed a £10 fine. At the time this was a considerable fine for a master-sweep to pay. Passage of the act finally ended the practice of child sweeps (1864).
We know little about the effort to prohibit the use of children to sweep chimleys. Presumably this occurred in most European countries.
Child labor was a terrible problem in the 19th century ruining many lives. Some of the first child labor laws were passed to protect chinmey swweps. We believe a major factor here was their visibility. Middle class families rarely came in contact with the children worked in mines and factories. Little boy chimey sweeps were actually brought into their parlors and living rooms. And the boys involved were often very youg and frail. These boys made the nest sweeps and they could fit better in the chimlies they had to clean.
At this time we only have information on Britain. A group in England concerned about the exploitation of children founded the "Society for Superceeding Climbing Boys" (1803). The groups objective was the promotion of cleaning equipment rather than boys to clean the chimneys. In the 18th century such equipment did not exist. George Smart invented effective equipment. Joseph Glass made importnt improvements (1828). The use of the equipment, however, did not catch on. Master sweeps were reluctant to change, especially because the use of boys was cheaper than the equipmet. The House of Lords voted down a bill to ban the use of children under 10 as chimney sweeps (1804). MP H. Bennett sponsored legislation to stop the most serious abuse of child sweeps (1817-19). The issue was debated by notable figures of the day like William Wilberforce (the anti-slavery crusader) and the Earl of Lauderdale. No progress was made until a law was finally passed prohibiting anyone under 21 years of age from clining chimneys (1840). The law proved ineffective because the fines were so small. It was until the publication of The Water-Babies that public opinion finally demanded action (1862-63). [Wilson, p. 299.] Lord Shaftesbury introduced an act which imposed a £10 fine. At the time this was a considerable fine for a master-sweep to pay. Passage of the act finally ended the practice of child sweeps (1864).
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main chimley sweep page]
[Return to the Main working boy areas page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[Essays]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Satellites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]