Our forefathers (and mothers) were a fearful bunch. They worried that when it started to rain, it might never stop. And worried again that when the rain stopped, it might not start again. Similarly, while they lived in daily fear that they might become a snack for some marauding animal, they worried even more if the animal decamped and they lost their own supply of food. In such a world of fear and worry, its no wonder that people were very much on the lookout for ways to avert disaster or promote good luck through all sorts of rituals. In particular, the wedding is full of them. One of the stranger of these customs of good luck, is that surrounding the story of the Lucky Chimney Sweep. In themselves, chimney sweeps werent particularly lucky. Some of them never survived their apprenticeship as six year old chimney sweeps. And as older chimney sweeps, so full of dust and grime that no amount of washing was ever likely to eradicate it, it is not to be supposed that they were societys darlings. Ladies in their silks and satins werent likely to say to themselves, I really must get an introduction to that irresistible chimney sweep. Im sure that underneath all that soot lives a veritable prince. The more likely scenario was that the lady would pick up her voluminous skirts and run for her life, knowing just how expensive those skirts were, and how onerous the washing would be if they ever came in contact with that walking duster. So why the Lucky Chimney Sweep? Well, the stories are many and varied. But the bottom line is that a chimney sweep, sometime in the past, was lucky enough to save a prince from some severe physical distress. In his gratitude the prince rewarded the chimney sweep with enough gold pieces to make it possible for him to realise his dream. His dream was to make his sweet heart his bride. At this stage she was vacillating between a poor chimney sweep with personality, and a tradesman without personality but with a respectable bank account. From then on it was circulated that a bride who glimpsed a chimney sweep on her way to the church, was bound to be lucky in love and in life. Incidentally, the kissing of a chimney sweep in very much a twentieth century thing. No self-respecting female could have ever wished to get any closer to a chimney sweep then waving at him from across the opposite side of the street. Julie Andrews and Mr. Disney have a lot to answer for. |
