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106. WARNINGS
on either side are usually for that day month on which the warning was
given, and it is well for a mistress to begin at once to look out for a
good maid to replace the going-out servant.
107. An
excellent place to meet with respectable servants is the Soho Bazaar,
where one can see them quietly ; and the terms are only five shillings,
paid when one is suited with a servant. It is well at the time of hiring
to state distinctly the exact nature of the service required. For example,
if a cook is wanted to undertake the dining-room, hall, and passages, it
should be distinctly stated that such is her work. If the housemaid is to
wait on the lady, it should be named, and so on through all the duties of
each place.
108. And
at the time of hiring, it is important to specify the holidays, time
allowed on Sundays, and the following particulars, so that a servant
clearly understands what she is to expect, and enters upon her duties
clearly understanding the kind of situation she accepts. The wages
should be increased yearly, and every encouragement given to good servants.
109. After
warning has been given on either side, the mistress, even if annoyed with
her maid, should behave with quiet courtesy towards her ; not, as we have
remarked some mistresses do, treat her as if she had committed a crime.
A change may be desirable for many reasons, although it is not possible
to overestimate a quiet, well-conducted servant, who is attached to her
mistress, and who will not leave her even for fairer prospects and a more
luxurious home.
110. In
ENGAGING SERVANTS state --
111. The
wages given now, and what rise may be expected.
112. The
time on Sunday allowed for church or chapel, &c.
113. Inquiries
to be made of the lady who gives the character as
to "honesty, sobriety, cleanliness, also if she is industrious,
neat, tidy in person, and in work, regular and systematic."
114. If
a COOK, ask particulars of soups, roasting and boiling,
pastry-making, and general care and economy.
115. If
a NURSE, temper, kindness and watchful care, and experience.
116. If
a HOUSEMAID, care of stoves, ornaments, careful, and neat.
117. If
a LADY'S-MAID, clever hairdresser and dressmaker, discreet and quiet ;
and so on through the various classes of service required.
118. Number
of years in place.
119. From
whom taken.
120. Reason
for leaving.
121. Any
particular fault or peculiarities.
122. When
the servant is engaged, the mistress should enter these particulars,
together with the date of entry of service, amount of wages, &c., in a book
kept for that purpose.
123. By
the STYLE OF HOUSE, the class of lady, one can
judge of the servant's
character, whether the lady gives a true character or not. High praise is
often accorded by a mistress who does not know what a good servant is,
and this applies particularly to cooks, for here taste and style of
serving differ essentially. As a rule, a lady is safe in taking a servant
who has lived over two years in a family in the same position as her own,
neither above nor below it, of whom the mistress distinctly and clearly
states that she is honest, sober, clean, and industrious ; the mistress's
appearance being quiet, ladylike, and tidy ; the house will-cared for and
neat. It is a great advantage to know something of the past history of
one's servants, and inquiries should be made respecting the other places
held by the servant.
124. A MISTRESS
is often shy about telling a new servant her ways and wishes, allows herself
to be as indulgent at first as she is strict and fault-finding when used to
her new maid. Now, if this plan were reversed, and a lady had the courage
to be strict and particular when the maid is at her best, and in her most
pains-taking humor, a servant would naturally fall into the right way of
pleasing by being useful to her mistress.
125. Gentleness,
kindness, and firmness are the qualities required in a mistress, with a
thorough practical knowledge of what are her servants' duties. We may
here remark that those households are best conducted where the mistress
never converses with her servants ; never speaks but to gently give an
order, ask a question, or say good morning and evening to her maids. Of
course, this does not apply in times of sorrow for the servants, or with
a general servant, who is depending on her mistress for all occasions of
speaking, or to old, well-tried servants, but it is a safe rule for
the MISTRESS.
126. When
two SERVANTS are kept, the mistress has more time at her disposal,
but should nevertheless take a close and watchful interest in the work of
the house, inspecting the work when finished, and remarking on badly-cleaned
rooms, neglected corners, and seeing that the fault is repaired at the
moment. By never passing over a fault during the first twelve months, but
kindly and gently pointing it out, there will be no need for a word of
correction afterwards.
127. When SERVANTS
first enter a service they naturally try their best to please, and require
only teaching the "ways" of the family. They soon see if the "missus" is
"particular" or no, and whether they are ruled by a careful, clever hand,
or by a careless, idle, anyhow mistress, and will act accordingly.
128. What
has passed into a proverb respecting the master's eye equally applies to
the mistress of a household. Her observant glance ought to take in, and the
mind note, every detail of housewifery. She should in herself be an example
to her maids of neatness, cleanliness, and order. "So particular," should be
the verdict of her handmaidens. A woman who does her duty to her husband and
household MUST be particular, must be strict and watchful. At the same time, t
his care and strictness does not preclude her being gentle in manner and word,
kind and sympathizing with her servants in illness or trouble, tending them and
helping them when such assistance is needed.
129. And
this kindness, this help, can be given only by a careful, watchful mistress,-- a
woman whose life is regulated by strong principles, and by love of order.
130. If WASTE
is allowed to run riot in a household,-- if articles of daily food are wasted,
badly bought, badly cooked, badly carved, and made the
least of,-- there will be no funds left in the mistress's hands
with which to pay for the doctor her kindness would call in to her sick
servant. Care and thrift mean power to help others ; economy
in daily life permits good actions in life's trials. Good housewifery comprises
the duty of woman. Pages might be written upon this subject,
but a few hints will suffice to prove this to a thoughtful woman.
131. The WASHING
of a family should be put out where one servant alone is kept, as we have
stated ; but many clever managers find time to do all the family washing at
home, and yet are not "in a muddle," as it is expressively termed, upon
washing-day ; the damping, folding, and ironing being done by the mistress,
the hard labor by the maid. With the help of one of Bradford's washing-machines
this labor is much reduced, and the wringer and mangle are equally handy.
132. But
unless it is absolutely necessary, no lady should attempt to
have the whole of the washing done at home when one servant alone is kept.
133. In the EVENING
the mistress should only make the tea and attend to her husband ;
the last thing at night she should inspect the doors and the whole of the basement,
noting every want of cleanliness in the scullery or wash-house, and ascertaining
that all be secure, and the plate in her room before she retires to rest, which
should be not later than eleven o'clock ; for unless she is allowed a certain
season of rest, it is impossible for a woman, however willing, to rise at seven,
and fill the innumerable duties of a mistress. Many of the duties of a mistress,
as occasional cooking, washing-up, &c., may be omitted when there is an experienced
general servant, or where two maids are kept. We may mention that, as it is
desirable that a lady's hands should always look white and nice, gloves should be
worn during dusting operations and household work, whenever possible. Household
gloves should be a quarter size larger than those ordinarily worn, and have a
loose cuff sewn to them, with an elastic at top to protect the sleeves.
134. In FAMILIES
where there are children and no nurse of any kind is kept, the
mother is the nurse, and should not attempt to pay and receive
formal visits, but content herself with domestic duties until she is in a
position to have her afternoons, at least, free. Nothing is more trying to
the health and temper than being constantly pulled away from domestic duties
by frivolous and inconsiderate visitors.
135. With
the CARE of her CHILDREN,
their daily walks, and the superintendence of their clothing, the mistress
will find but little time for assisting the general servant, who will have,
in addition to the work we have mentioned, the preparation of the nursery
dinner, and the carrying of water, both hot and cold, to the nurseries, with
the cleaning and care of the rooms used by the children.
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