THE PRAISE OF CHIMNEY SWEEPERS – CHARLES LAMB

THE PRAISE OF CHIMNEY SWEEPERS – CHARLES LAMB

     The essay ‘The Praise of Chimney Sweepers’ reveals Lamb’s sympathy for the low and downtrodden. His love towards the chimney sweepers is praiseworthy.

     Lamb says that the voice of Chimney Sweepers remind him of the chirping of the sparrow. The boys in the dark cloths resemble clergyman. These boys preach patience to mankind by their hard work. Lamb used to be shocked at the sudden disappearance of the sweeper within the complicated chimneys. He felt immensely relieved, when the sweep came up on the roof with his brush weaving like a Conjuror’s flag.

     Lamb asks the readers to be generous and give the Sweepers a penny or two. He asks his readers to offer Sassafras tea to the small boys. The tea is made from boiling the wood of sassafras, which emits a repellent smell. If we give them a cup of tea, they will do the work with great enthusiasm and save the chimneys from catching fire.

  While walking along a street, Lamb fell down. By seeing this a chimney sweeper laughed at him. For this Lamb did not get angry because the boy‘s joy was completely free from any malice and was the outcome of innocent mirth. Lamb says that he would have stood there without pain, if the boy is laughed till midnight. He appreciated the sweeper’s white teeth shining in contrast to his black skin and clothes.

     Lamb expresses his belief that some of the sweepers must be from noble families. They must have been kidnapped in their infancy and might be forced to do this work. To support it, Lamb tells a story of a chimney sweeper who had slept on Duke Howard’s state bed. Their civil, courteous behaviour shows their descent from aristocratic families.

    Lamb praises his friend Jem White for his sympathy towards the chimney sweepers. His friend Jim had the practice of giving annual dinner on St.Bartholomew’s Day in Smithfield to the Chimney Sweepers. He used to invite sweepers in and around the city and he would serve them with all dignity. He would conduct the  feast with great care.

    To sum up, this essay show Lamb’s attitude, love and sympathy for the suffering children.