CHIMNEYSWEEPER

The practice of employing boys as Chimneysweepers, in England, is unknown in the Colonies; fires being kindled in buildings detached from dwelling-houses, &c, having chimneys of such a height, to render brooms only requisite in removing the soot, which is not used here agriculturally. The specimen given, wiIl convey a correct idea of the ordinary Kitchen-chimney with its covered top, as a projection to the fire during the heavy falls of rain, with which the Tropics are visited. *Wood is

[*illegible note left out]

used as fuel throughout the Island, with the exception of those Estates, where canes are ground by steam engines, requiring coals,* or in the making of Sugar, when cane-trash is substituted. The Cashaw, on account of the rapidity of its growth is most generally sought for, for this purpose.  The inhabitants of Kingston are by law obliged to have their Chimneys frequently swept, a precaution highly requisite in a City where the houses are shingled, and are thus reminded by the ­Sweeper. “Sweep, Sweep, 0, Sweep, here I am, nobody notice Country Law, King-Warrant, Queen-Warrant.” Till the accession of our youthful Queen Victoria, having been accustomed to say King-Warrant, [he] finds a difficulty in departing from old usage, and retains that cry in addition to the latter. Our fair readers will be somewhat surprised when they learn, that he was capable a few years back of filling the office also of a laundress.

*Experiments have been made to introduce coals, and Kitchen-ranges by private families; but we have reason to believe, without the anticipated success, from the pertinacious adherence of Negroes, to old-established customs; They prefer the use of bricks to support their cooking vessels, and their mouth to blow the fire with, to the most convenient apparatus that could be furnished them.