siderable degree, the number of climbing-boys. The committee are therefore decidedly of opinion, that the object which they are endeavouring to reach, can be in no other way effectually obtained than by an Act of Parliament prohibiting chimney-sweepers from taking any more climbing-ap. prentices, and employing any others than apprentices as climb ing-boys. The committee are of opinion that such an Act would effectually produce the desired end, without subjecting either the pub. lic or chimney-sweepers to any very serious loss or inconvenience, because the chimney-sweepers would have an opportunity to get into the practice of using the machines, before the present apprentices were out of their servitude, and the generality of those chim. neys, which now cannot be swept with the machines, would be easily so altered as to render them capable of being swept with them, and all new chimneys would of course be so constructed. The committee further feel confident, that the attention and ingenuity of able mechanics and others inte. rested, would be so much turned to the completion of the object, that very considerable improvements in the machines, and in the manner of working them, would be very soon made. As one of the most likely methods of producing the effect, the committee have thought it right thus candidly to state their sentiments and opinions to the Society, to whom they will be happy to give any further in. formation in their power, which may be thought likely to conduce towards obtaining the object of which they are in pursuit. The

committee need not attempt to de. scribe the degree of suffering, consequent deformity, great depra. vity, painful diseases, and frequent loss of life, which attend the present practice to so many thousands of helpless and unoffending chil dren, who might otherwise become happy, useful, and worthy members of the community, because the Society were fully satisfied on these points long before the committee who now address them were called upon to assist in the endea vour to remedy them. That the committee have not been exaggerating the capability of the ma chines, (imperfect as they must be admitted at present to be,) is evident from the list sent herewith of such chimneys as have been swept with them here during the first twelve months, being upwards of twelve hundred, in spite of all the prejudice, opposition, and diffi culties against which they had to labour, also from the number of respectable signatures approving of, and recommending, after trial, the use of the machine. For it must be recollected, that it is only amongst the more opulent inhabitants, and, consequently, in the highest and most difficult chimneys, that it has hitherto been principally used, because, amongst the lower class, the regular chimney-sweepers have been accustomed here to sweep for the soot only, a practice not yet adopted with the machine. The man employed here with the machine, states, that if he had tolerable regular employment, at sixpence each chimney, it would pay him very well. The committee were very fortunate in engag ing a person well qualified and active in the use of the machine,

who

who has, under their inspection and directions, used his utmost éndeavours to promote the success of the machine, both by improving and facilitating the use of it.

As it did not appear probable to the committee that there would very soon be any great diminution made in the number of climbingboys, they have not been inattentive to their welfare and comfort, but have endeavoured, as much as was in their power, to soften the rigour of their treatment, and to improve their situation. As the act for the regulation of chimneysweepers and their apprentices was found to be so negligently drawn up, and so loosely worded, as to be utterly inadequate to enforcing proper treatment, the committee, with the advice and co-operation of the magistrates, induced the master chimney-sweepers voluntarily to agree to certain regulations respecting the treatment and employment of their boys, which the committee trust will be attended with considerable benefit to the poor children. The plan of having them to dine on Easter Monday, will give the committee an opportunity of inquiry respecting the treatment which they receive, of giving them good advice, and of rewarding those who have behaved well. I am, very respectfully,

Sir, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL ROBERTS,
Chairman.

Sheffield, Oct. 11, 1809.
To C. TAYLOR, M.D. SEC.

CHIMNEY-SWEEPERS.

We, the master-chimney-sweep ers, resident in Sheffield, whose

names are uuderwritten, do agree to the following resolations:

1. That we will not take any boy as an apprentice under the age of eight years, nor will we bind any one to continue longer in servitude than he is sixteen years of age.

2. That we will not send out any boy to work before four o'clock in the morning in summer, nor before five in winter, in the town.

3. That we will not permit any boy to go out to climb a chimney after twelve o'clock at noon, nor will we suffer our apprentices, or boys employed by us, to seek work, or to be engaged in any way in our business out of doors, after five o'clock in the afternoon in summer, nor after four in winter.

4. That each boy shall have a good breakfast before he leaves home in a morning, a good dinner between the hours of twelve and two o'clock at noon, and a good supper between the hours of fire and seven o'clock in the evening.

5. That every two boys shall be allowed one good bed, with sufficient coverings, and they shall be allowed at least eight hours rest in each night.

6. That we will provide every boy with decent and sufficiently warm clothing, as a sweepingdress, including a pair of good shoes, to be worn always when he is on duty, also a suitable cap, having a plate in front with his master's name and place of abode engraven on it.

7. That over and above the sweeping-dress, we will provide for each boy a complete suit of good clothes, including linen, hat, shoes, and stockings, on Easter

Easter Sunday, and that he shall appear in the same before "the Committee for bettering the Condition of Climbing-boys, &c." on the Monday following, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock, at the Cutlers' Hall, or some other convenient place, and shall be permitted to dine there, or elsewhere, on that day, at the committee's expense.

8. That we will not, on any occasion, lend out our boys to each other, or to any other persons in the trade.

9. That we do engage, on every Lord's day, to send our apprentices and boys employed by us to Some Sunday-school approved by the aforesaid committee, and also to divine service with the rest of the children who attend the same school.

Sheffield, Cutlers' Hall,

March 11, 1809.

Witness,

ciety on the Subject, and Sam-
ples of the Fibres are preserved
in the Society's Repository.
The following are Certificates
of Mr. Hall's Statements.

Streatham, Surrey,

Jan. 9, 1809. WE, the undersigned, do hereby certify, that the specimens of hemp enclosed and sealed up by us, addressed to Dr. Taylor, Secretary to the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Adelphi, Strand, are the produce of common beanstraw:-That we never saw nor heard of bean-hemp till lately; when the Rev. James Hall, who resides here at present, was trying experiments respecting it at Mr. Adams's farm, Mount Nod, and other parts of this parish:-That, in the present obstructed state of commerce with the continent, it appears to us the discovery of beanhemp may be extremely useful to the manufacture of canvas, ropes, paper, &c.—And that, as it af fords a new and important prospect of employment for the poor, we think Mr. Hall, the discoverer, is deserving of the approbation of the public. We shall only add, that as the Society for the Encou ragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, have contributed so often in a high degree to the exertion of genius, the improvement of the arts, and the public good, we have no doubt but they will not only take the proper steps to prosecute the discovery and encou rage the manufacture of bean.hemp, but also, by some mark of their favour, show their approbation of Mr. Hall's merit in the discovery he has made, as well as of his high

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