We turned a deaf ear to these rumours at first, but slowly and surely they stole upon us.

Month after month, week after week, nay, day after day, at last, did we meet with accounts of similar applications.

The veil was removed, all mystery was at an end, and chimney-sweeping had become a favourite and chosen pursuit.

There is no longer any occasion to steal boys; for boys flock in crowds to bind themselves.

The romance of the trade has fled, and the chimney-sweeper of the present day, is no more like unto him of thirty years ago, than is a Fleet-street pickpocket to a Spanish brigand, or Paul Pry to Caleb Williams.
This gradual decay and disuse of the practice of leading noble youths into captivity, and compelling them to ascend chimneys, was a severe blow, if we may so speak, to the romance of chimney-sweeping, and to the romance of spring at the same time.