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diff --git a/77633-h/77633-h.htm b/77633-h/77633-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef09310 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/77633-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4796 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <title> + Servants and service | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.vtop { vertical-align: top; } +.vbottom { vertical-align: bottom; } + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + +.ph1 { + text-align: center; + font-size: x-large; + font-weight: bold; +} +.ph2 { + text-align: center; + font-size: large; + font-weight: bold; +} +.transnote { + margin-left:17.5%; + margin-right:17.5%; +} +/* Illustrated dropcaps */ +img.dropcap +{ + float: left; + margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; +} + +p.dropcap:first-letter +{ + color: transparent; + visibility: hidden; + margin-left: -0.9em; +} + +.x-ebookmaker img.dropcap +{ + display: none; +} + +.x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter +{ + color: inherit; + visibility: visible; + margin-left: 0; +} + +.upper-case +{ + text-transform: uppercase; +} + +.oldenglish {font-family: "Old English Text MT", + "Engravers Old English BT", + "Old English", + "Collins Old English", + "New Old English", + serif; +} + +p.dropcap .hidden-chars { + color: transparent; + margin-left: -0.5em; +} + +.x-ebookmaker p.dropcap .hidden-chars { + color: inherit; + visibility: visible; + margin-left: 0; +} + +#half_title { + page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; + text-align: center; + font-size: large; + margin: 6em 0; +} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp70 {width: 70%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77633 ***</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> + + +<p id="half_title"> +SERVANTS AND SERVICE. +</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a><a id="Page_3"></a>[Pg 3]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp70" id="i_title" style="max-width: 28em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_title.png" alt="THE GIRL’S OWN +BOOKSHELF"> +</figure> + + + <h1 class="smcap" style="font-weight:normal">Servants and Service.</h1> + <p class="center" style="margin-top:6em;"> + <span style="font-size:small;">BY</span><br> + RUTH LAMB, + </p> + <p class="center" style="font-size:small;font-style: italic;"> + Author of ‘Only a Girl Wife,’ ‘Girls’ Work and Workshops,’ ‘One Little Vein<br> + of Dross,’ ‘Her Own Choice,’ etc., etc.<br> + </p> + <p class="center" style="margin-top:6em;"> + <span class="oldenglish">London</span>:<br> + THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, + </p> + <p class="center"> + <span class="smcap">56, Paternoster Row; 65, St. Paul’s Churchyard;</span><br> + <span class="smcap">and 164, Piccadilly.</span> + </p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center" style="margin-top:8em; margin-bottom:8em"> + <span class="smcap">Butler & Tanner,</span><br> + <span class="smcap">The Selwood Printing Works,</span><br> + <span class="smcap">Frome, and London.</span> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE"> + PREFACE. + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>Some years have elapsed since these chapters on +‘Servants and Service’ were first issued as a series in +the <i>Girl’s Own Paper.</i> I have reason to know, from +many subsequent communications, that they have +not been written in vain, but have proved useful to, +and been highly commended alike by, mistresses and +maids. Members of both classes have borne testimony +especially to the fairness with which a somewhat +difficult social question has been treated therein.</p> + +<p>Whilst rejoicing over the good results which have +already followed the serial publication of these papers, +I hope and pray that their re-issue as a volume may +greatly increase their usefulness.</p> + +<p>I must not omit to mention that I am not the +author of the appended chapter, No. XI., on ‘The +legal rights of employers and employed.’ It contains +most valuable information, but is contributed by +a writer much better informed on legal subjects than +I can claim to be.</p> + +<p class="right"> + <span class="smcap">Ruth Lamb.</span> +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a><a id="Page_7"></a>[Pg 7]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS. + </h2> +</div> + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"><small>CHAP.</small></td> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdl"><small>PAGE</small></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">I.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introductory</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">II.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Honourable Service</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">20</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">III.</td> +<td class="tdl">‘<span class="smcap">Hair-Splitters</span>’</td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">32</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">IV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">In the Nursery</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">44</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">V.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Influence over Children. Bear and Forbear</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">55</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">VI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Thoroughness. Economy of Time. Care of Property. Punctuality</span><br></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">68</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">VII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">On Fault-finding, Giving Notice to Leave, and Giving Characters</span><br></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">81</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">VIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Dress. Visitors. Sympathy in Christian Work</span><br></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">96</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">IX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Followers and Friends. Helps to Young Servants. Gifts from Visitors</span><br></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">108</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">X.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The One Source of Strength</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">135</a><br></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr vtop">XI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Legal Rights of Employers and Employed</span></td> +<td class="tdr vbottom"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">145</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a><a id="Page_9"></a>[Pg 9]</span></p> + + + <p class="ph1 nobreak"> + SERVANTS AND SERVICE. + </p> +<hr class="r5"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I"> + CHAPTER I. + <br> + <small>INTRODUCTORY.</small> + </h2> +</div> + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap1.png" width="59" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">A little</span> while ago I was wandering from factory +to factory, watching girls at work amongst +whirling spindles, clattering machinery, and +clinking hammers; wondering often that the young +creatures were not bewildered or permanently deafened +by the ceaseless noise which accompanied their +hours of toil; wondering still more at the varied +articles produced by girl-hands, and at the way in +which the comfort of persons in every rank of life +seems to depend upon, and be ministered to, by +what they do as outdoor workers.</p> + +<p>The comfort of the world at large, of the great +human family, is very greatly influenced by the girl-toilers +in these hives of industry. But how much +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span>more is the happiness of all the separate families +which go to make up the vast total, influenced by +the lives and conduct of those who actually serve +in the home itself, who fill the <i>honourable</i> and <i>responsible</i> +position of domestic servants.</p> + +<p>You who thus serve will, perhaps, think that I use +strong terms respecting your work and the place you +occupy. I mean to justify these expressions, and to +show you how truly important is that work, how high +is your position, when measured by the vast trust +which employers are compelled to repose in the girls +whom they receive into their homes as servants.</p> + +<p>I have been the mistress of a house for a great +many years, and yet, considering that I have usually +had four female servants at once, I have not had +a large number in the whole time. The reason is +that very few have left our home except to start in +houses of their own, or from some equally satisfactory +cause, and usually after a long term of service. +Also, that when circumstances have rendered it necessary +for a servant to leave us, it has been the +rule for the family and herself to part with feelings +of mutual regret and goodwill. It is always a +pleasure for us to welcome under our roof those who +have served us faithfully, and to hear of their well-being.</p> + +<p>I have had only one thoroughly bad servant—but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span>she was a systematically bad woman, who would +have wrought mischief in whatever position of life +she might have occupied. Ignorance of household +routine, and inexperience in the performance of +certain duties, may easily be corrected wherever a +servant is able and willing to learn, and a mistress +to bestow time and pains in teaching her.</p> + +<p>It makes me glad as I write to think that I both +have had, and still have, servants whom I regard as +dear friends; who have proved themselves sympathetic +and self-devoting in various seasons of sickness, +and when extra labour and watching were +needed; who have been true helpers and comforters +to all around them.</p> + +<p>Some, too, have been associated with me in Christian +work, and have deemed themselves more than +repaid for any additional labour which has thus +devolved upon them, by the happiness that accompanies +the very act of good-doing for Christ’s +sake.</p> + +<p>I think of such servants as these not only with +pleasure, but with the deepest thankfulness. With +all my heart I desire to thank God for such service, +and for the sense of family comfort and safety which +has been one of its happy consequences in my own +home.</p> + +<p>I am sure every girl who occupies the position of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span>a domestic servant will agree with me, that it is a +good thing when a mistress can kneel down and +thank Our Father in heaven, for the great family +blessing He has sent her in the shape of a faithful +servant. Equally so when a girl, coming a stranger +into a new home, can thankfully feel that she too is +regarded, not as a human machine to be sent away +as soon as she breaks down, and, once out of sight, +out of mind also; but as a member of the family, +to be cared for by the rest both in regard to health +of soul and body—and most of all by the mistress as +‘house-mother.’</p> + +<p>I wonder whether servants and mistresses generally +understand what the word ‘family’ means. I have +alluded to each servant as a member of the family, +but I know that people usually take a much narrower +view of its meaning, and think it should be confined +strictly to those who are united by the ties of +kindred.</p> + +<p>The word is used in several senses in our language, +but the one which takes the lead is as follows:—‘Family. +The collective body of persons who +live in one house and under one head or manager +of a household, <i>including parents, children, and servants</i>.’</p> + +<p>So you see, dear girls who serve in other homes +than those of your parents, you are none the less +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span>members of the family into which you enter, though +your actual place and work in it differ from those +of the parents and children. But if you claim to be +of the family, you must remember that the very +privilege brings also responsibility.</p> + +<p>It forbids the putting of self in the first rank, and +binds you to consider the well-being, convenience, +and comfort of every member of the household, at +least equally with your own; to work and think +for the common good, <i>because you also are of the +family</i>.</p> + +<p>Notice how the Bible recognises this. Read +through the Ten Commandments, and see what +individuals are named in those rules given by God +Himself, for the government of the human race. +Here they are, following each other: Father and +mother, son and daughter, man-servant and maid-servant.</p> + +<p>Not many pictures of girl life are to be found +in the pages of Holy Writ. We catch glimpses now +and then of Rebekah and Rachel and the daughters +of Jethro tending their flocks, and watering them +from the precious and jealously guarded wells. +These show us something of their occupations out +of doors, of their readiness—ladies though they were—to +serve the stranger and wait on the weary +traveller. But the curtains of the tent are rarely +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>lifted sufficiently to give us even a peep at the girls +within, whether young mistresses or waiting damsels, +when employed in household duties.</p> + +<p>Ruth has a whole book given to her and her +family. But we only see her for the first time in +her widowhood, and when she has been ten years +a wife. Esther has a still longer book, but in her +story is involved the fate of a nation of captives.</p> + +<p>But there is a little picture given in another place, +and I never read it without thinking how delightful +it must be to every young servant, to look upon this +word-sketch of the little captive maid who waited +upon Naaman’s wife.</p> + +<p>It tells so much in so few words. It shows us the +girl, far away from her home and her kindred, a +stranger in a strange land—yet full of sympathy +with her mistress, realizing that she is one of the +family, and anxious to do good to its afflicted and +suffering head.</p> + +<p>Putting away the memory of her own wrongs, she +would fain direct her master to him at whose word, +she believed, the loathsome disease would vanish +and Naaman be made whole.</p> + +<p>This little servant maid must have remembered +her own home and friends, because she could speak +of the miracle-working prophet in her own land. A +revengeful girl would have rejoiced in her master’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>affliction. A selfish one would have made terms, and +only told of the healer on condition of being restored +to her own friends.</p> + +<p>This young servant girl did neither. She uttered +a wish which was also a prayer on behalf of him who +held her captive: ‘Would God my lord were with +the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover +him of his leprosy.’</p> + +<p>Though she was in such a humble position, she +had gained a character for truth. Her mistress durst +speak after her! A king durst write a letter, send +an embassy, and despatch an offering of enormous +value, in sole reliance on the word of the little foreign +servant.</p> + +<p>Her master, a great and powerful general, the +mighty man of valour, and conqueror in many a +battle, set out on a journey with a heart full of hope, +because he could believe the wish she had uttered +was sincere, and that she was convinced of the +prophet’s power and will to heal him.</p> + +<p>Only a story contained in three verses of the Bible, +but how much it tells! What a beautiful character +it reveals! A young servant girl, truthful and +trusted; forgiving and doing good to her captors; +realizing that she was one of that family in which she +served; forgetting self in her sympathy with suffering; +repaying the kindness and confidence of her +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>mistress, not merely by faithful service, but by +heartiest goodwill.</p> + +<p>Ah! you who serve in the homes of others, well +may you rejoice to think that one in a like position +is the heroine of this delightful Bible story. May +you in reading it take home all its sweet lessons, +and in your own narrower circle, and perhaps a far +humbler household, imitate the example, and reproduce +the disposition shown by the little Israelitish +maiden when a captive in a strange land.</p> + +<p style="margin-top: 4em;">Probably many a young, ay, and old woman too, +looks back upon her girlish days in service, and +recalls the period she spent under one particular roof +as a turning-point in her life for good or evil. If the +former, she will lift up her heart in thanksgiving as +memories of wise, loving counsel and patient teaching +come before her mind’s eye.</p> + +<p>Some, perhaps, are still in situations, and regularly +and habitually doing their daily work as if the eye +of the mistress was always present. Each thinks of +one who, in bygone days, was the means of making +her the valuable servant she is, by dint of much +careful training and painstaking when she went, a +mere girl and very ignorant, to her first place. She +knows that the seeds sown by that hand have +brought forth in herself the fruits of regularity, order, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>neatness, cleanliness, and punctuality; and that truth +and honesty, if not planted, were fostered and encouraged +by that true friend and experienced +mistress.</p> + +<p>Perhaps she remembers, too, that in those early +days the patient teacher did not always find a +patient scholar; that the lessons which were given +for her good were often little valued—sometimes +even resented as the acts of a fidgety, worriting, +too-particular mistress whom nothing could satisfy.</p> + +<p>She knows better now, and rejoices that she fell +into hands equally firm and kind. But the memory +of her own little tempers and impatience under +training makes her, let us hope, more patient and +forbearing with other young girls who are in turn +placed under her, to be similarly instructed.</p> + +<p>I fancy I hear a chorus of young voices cry out, +‘It is all very well for you to say we should be particular +about the places we take, but we cannot +always choose from a number. Often our very bread +depends on our getting a situation. If we are unable +to get what we want, we must take what we can get.’</p> + +<p>Quite true. Yet it is not often that a girl who is +worth having has to leave a situation at less than a +month’s notice, so that she has always some time to +look about her and make inquiries.</p> + +<p>Shall I tell you my recipe for getting a good +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span>servant? It will be just as useful to you in securing +a good place. <i>It is prayer</i>, as well as the use of +ordinary means. Whenever a servant has been +about to leave us, it has been the custom for my +husband and myself to kneel together and ask God +to guide us in the choice of a successor. We felt +that the peace of our home, the well-being of our +family, and perhaps even more than all, that an +important influence on the minds and manners of +our little ones would depend upon the new-comer. +Was it not, then, worth while to ask God’s guidance +and blessing? If good for master and mistress, +surely it must be equally so for the girl who seeks +work and a home amongst strangers.</p> + +<p>Do not take a place where you cannot have +Sunday privileges. A widowed mother, herself in +service, applied for a situation for her young +daughter. She returned disappointed in one sense, +but not in another.</p> + +<p>‘Jane could have had the place, and good wages; +but when I named the going to church on Sundays, +the lady said Sunday was always her day for company, +and she could spare none of her servants to +go out. She would give her another day instead. +I told her this would not suit my girl,’ said the poor +mother, who had much cause for anxiety about +employment for her child. ‘I had all my life tried +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>to train her in the faith and fear of God, and +specially taught her to value and remember to keep +holy the Sabbath day. I dare not go against my +own teaching and conscience, come what may. I +must trust; the Lord will provide.’</p> + +<p>And He did provide. The mother’s prayers were +not in vain; her faith was not disappointed. Pray, +then, for guidance, dear girls. You will not ask in +vain; but I believe you will be answered by having +good homes and good mistresses, as my husband and +I have been, in having good servants sent to us from +time to time.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II"> + CHAPTER II. + <br> + <small>HONOURABLE SERVICE.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap2.png" width="29" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">In</span> my former chapter I called the position of a +domestic servant an <i>honourable</i> and <i>responsible</i> +one, and I will now give my reasons for using +these two words. I wonder whether many young +girls who serve in the household have considered +how very much they are trusted. Perhaps they +never crossed the threshold of the home in which +they have obtained a situation until the very day +on which they enter upon its duties; and yet from +the very moment that the young stranger girl enters +the house, she is of necessity taken more into the +family confidence than any outsider can possibly be.</p> + +<p>She knows all about the going out and coming in +of every member of the family. In many cases she +sees and hears what even the children, especially +the younger ones, are not permitted to know.</p> + +<p>In the performance of her various duties, when +waiting at table and elsewhere, she overhears conversations +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>which speakers would not like to have +repeated. She cannot help, in like manner, being +acquainted with numbers of little family secrets that +are never intended to pass beyond the walls of the +home—things that would not be told even to friends, +except in the strictest confidence.</p> + +<p>Yet the master, mistress, and children receive the +stranger girl, often knowing very little about her +family and of herself, only so much as can be +gleaned during half an hour’s talk, or, it may be, +a short letter from a former employer—just a +sheet of paper with a few formally written answers +to a few set questions, such as relate to the work +of that particular situation she wishes to undertake. +The future mistress has probably asked how the +girl has done her work in her last place; whether +she is cleanly, honest, truthful, obliging, and so on.</p> + +<p>In many cases the information is given by one of +whom we know little more than we do of the girl +respecting whose character we inquire. And there +are always far more important questions than those +alluded to, which are never asked, and if they were, +would seldom be explicitly answered. Yet, on the +strength of that brief written recommendation, or +after half an hour’s conversation, we take a girl into +our home, and place in her hands a very large +share of its comfort and safety. She is allowed to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>see and to know all the little household details +which are hidden even from our nearest friends.</p> + +<p>We exact from our girl domestics no pledge of +confidence, no promise not to betray our trust by +gossiping about what they hear or see; what, indeed, +they <i>must</i> witness, unless we are to live in a state +of unnatural restraint, and make the entrance of our +servants a signal for silence! Such a state of things +would be equally trying to them, to our guests, and +to ourselves.</p> + +<p>If I were a girl in a situation, I hope I should feel +‘upon honour’ with regard to these things. I should +like to be able to say, ‘I am glad and thankful to +be trusted, and, by God’s help, I will try to merit +the confidence which my master and mistress place +in me. I may not be bound by any promise to +them, but I am bound far more firmly by my sense +of what is right, by the witness of my own conscience, +and by the thought of what I should like if I were +in their places. No one shall ever be able to blame +me for tale-telling, or gossiping about their concerns. +I may be a young servant, but if I am a Christian +girl, the same spirit should animate me that inspires +the greatest lady in the land. I, if I understand +the teaching of God’s Word aright, am bound by +the same laws in my position as my mistress is in +hers.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> + +<p>To be above the meanness which would screen +itself from blame as a tattler, because no promise of +silence has been given, is as becoming to the servant +as it is to the mistress. To be true, not merely in +word, but in heart and in act, is as incumbent upon +the servant who professes to be a Christian as it is +upon the heads of the household, and why?</p> + +<p>Because in God’s Word you are bidden to perform +your duties ‘in singleness of your heart as unto +Christ; not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but +as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God +from the heart; with goodwill doing service as to +the Lord, and not to men. Knowing that whatsoever +good thing any man doeth, the same shall he +receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.’</p> + +<p>Employers are also reminded that their ‘Master +also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons +with Him.’</p> + +<p>The same law, you see, both for employers and +employed. All have to give an account to the same +Master, before whom neither rank, riches, nor +position will avail anything. The question which +concerns all of us alike is this, ‘What sort of an +account can I give of the way in which I have done +my duty in the place which, in the good providence +of God, I have been called on to fill?’</p> + +<p>If it becomes the mistress to be above tattling +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>and meanness, to be true in word and deed, to be +self-denying and considerate of the feelings of others, +to be pure in speech and in life, to be careful as to +the persons with whom she associates, surely all +these things are equally essential to the young +servant! To the latter it often happens that her +good character is her fortune, that on it she depends +for the very bread she eats and the roof which +shelters her. Even if she did not, ‘A good name is +rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving +favour rather than silver and gold.’</p> + +<p>People say there is a skeleton in every house; it +is the same thing as saying that there is no home +without some secret sorrow that the owner would +shrink from letting the world see. Well, if any of +you dear girls know where the skeleton is, say to +yourselves, ‘My hand shall never draw the curtain +that hides it, or open the door of the cupboard in +which it is concealed.’</p> + +<p>This is the right way in which to look at one of +the responsibilities of your position. You may make +it doubly honourable by your own conduct, and by +the manner in which you show that you not only +<i>must</i> be trusted, but that you deserve to be.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately we do not find that all girls act +up to such a high standard as this. We have all +known some who have been faithful enough so long +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>as a thoroughly good understanding existed between +them and their employers. But perhaps something +has gone wrong, and a disagreement has arisen +between the girl and her mistress.</p> + +<p>A sharp reproof has called forth an angry retort, +and the ‘I’m-as-good-as-you’ sort of spirit has got +into the young mind. Either mistress or maid gives +a month’s notice, and with the prospect of parting +comes an entire change in the relations of the +parties concerned.</p> + +<p>Sometimes the girl acts defiantly and disrespectfully. +She forgets the many marks of kindness and +confidence she has received, the peace and comfort +she has enjoyed under that roof, and acts with a +meanness and littleness that are unworthy of any +girl, especially one who calls herself a Christian. +In the spirit of revenge, and with a desire to +‘serve out’ her employers, she will call to mind all +the little domestic matters which she knows they +would least like to have gossiped about, and will +prove equally false to them, and to the pleadings of +her own heart and conscience.</p> + +<p>When the fit of temper is over, probably the girl +sees the ugliness and treachery of her conduct, and +would fain stop the ball she has set rolling. But +this is not easy. It continues to roll, and increases +with every turn. She has done an amount of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>mischief which she can scarcely calculate, has broken +faith, destroyed the effect produced by years of +faithful service, and is branded as deceitful and +ungrateful by the mistress who may have reproved +with sharpness, yet who heartily wishes well to her +young helpers in the household.</p> + +<p>I will not dwell upon this picture. I do not like +it, and I hope that every girl who reads this paper +will think it as ugly as I do, and resolve that it shall +never be reflected in her own conduct.</p> + +<p>I have a few more words to say both about +entering on situations and engaging servants. Indeed, +these chapters relate equally to employers +and employed; for while I commenced by addressing +myself especially to those who serve, I cannot write +of them without including those who rule, and more +especially the young mistresses. These have frequently +nearly everything to learn when they assume +the reins of domestic government at the commencement +of their married life.</p> + +<p>To the mistress I would say, ‘Try to ascertain +something not only about the girl you think of +engaging, but about her parents, her home, and +general surroundings.’</p> + +<p>I one day heard a gentleman speak of the manner +in which he engaged a very young girl to fill a +vacancy caused by the marriage of an old and much-valued +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span>servant. He lived at a distance from town, +and had a very delicate wife, who was unequal to the +task of seeing and choosing from amongst the many +candidates for the vacant post.</p> + +<p>The place was known to be a good one. The +home was delightful in itself, the habits of the family +were regular, wages satisfactory, the servants enjoyed +many Christian privileges, and master and mistress +took a warm interest in their welfare. There was +rarely a vacancy, and on this particular occasion +there were many very experienced servants amongst +the applicants. Yet the gentleman who saw them +at his office in the city, and made all the inquiries, +finally decided on engaging a girl of eighteen to fill +the place of one who had been more than half that +number of years in the situation.</p> + +<p>Much surprise was expressed at his decision, but +he was quite able to justify it.</p> + +<p>‘I was struck,’ said he, ‘with the beautiful neatness +of the girl’s dress. I was sure that she was not got +up for the occasion; but all about her was suggestive +of habitual purity and tidiness, and her clothing, +though good and clean, bore traces of careful wear. +It had evidently been used for some time, but well +used. I was further struck with her modesty of +manners and propriety of speech. She told me +frankly that she had no one but her mother to refer +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>me to for her character, as regarded the work itself. +She was the eldest of a family, and had never been +in service; but the second girl would now be able to +take her place, and there were too many of them for +all to be maintained at home by the father’s earnings. +She knew things would be very different in such a +house as mine; but mother had always made her do +her work well, and she was willing to learn. Would +I try her and give her wages according to what she +was worth? Father and mother were much more +particular about the family she went into than about +the money. Would I see “mother” before I fixed +on any one, and her own Sunday-school teacher +too?</p> + +<p>‘I could not help thinking, whilst the girl spoke—pleaded +indeed, in her honest, innocent way, for a +trial—that she had in her the making of a first-class +servant. I agreed to see “mother,” but fixed no +time for my call, and I made it during the morning.</p> + +<p>‘The sight of that orderly home and its busy +occupants was better than any number of written +characters. There was no running away to make +herself presentable, but the girl came forward with a +smiling face, and looking just as neat in her working +dress as she had done in her outdoor garments.</p> + +<p>‘I had made some inquiries about the family, and +found that the parents were God-fearing people, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>extremely particular about the training and associates +of their children. So I engaged Eliza, aged eighteen, +to fill the place of the departed Anne, aged thirty; +and I and mine had cause to be thankful for the +decision which brought into our house an excellent +servant, a warm-hearted, pure-minded girl. She was +thorough in her work, and what she did not know at +first she was quick to learn, because her heart was +in it, and she honestly desired not only to do enough +to satisfy, but her very best.</p> + +<p>‘The mother made one remark which amused me a +little at the time. “I am so glad you are willing to +engage Eliza,” she said. “I am quite content for her +to come to you, for I made most particular inquiries +about your place before I sent the girl to see about +it.”</p> + +<p>‘The good woman meant it as a compliment, and I +understood and appreciated it. I like “my place” to +have a good name; but some lady friends tossed their +heads, and said, “What an impertinent speech! to +intimate that she had inquired into your character!”’</p> + +<p>And very proper too. Every girl that values her +own character should be anxious to serve under the +roof of a master and mistress who fear God, and who, +caring for their own immortal souls, are likely to +care for the bodies and souls of all around them +also.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> + +<p>I had two sisters from one family, and when, after +seven years’ united service, the second left by her +father’s wish to learn a business, I wrote and asked +for the only remaining daughter, a girl who had +never left home to take a situation, and whom I had +never seen. I frankly told the parents that, after +my experience of their mode of training daughters, +I would rather take one who had thus been brought +up in the faith and fear of God, though comparatively +ignorant, than the most accomplished servant without +such home-training.</p> + +<p>I received a grateful reply, accepting the offer and +returning hearty thanks for the comforts and Christian +privileges enjoyed by the elder sisters whilst under +our roof.</p> + +<p>Number three duly arrived, and—well, perhaps if +I say that she came more than fourteen years ago, +and is here yet, nothing more need be added. To the +act that we have considered Christian training as +of greater importance than mere skill in household +duties, my husband and I attribute much of the +comfort and happiness we have enjoyed in regard +to those domestic arrangements that depend upon our +servants’ work and character.</p> + +<p>To you, dear girls, I would say, ‘Be more anxious +to serve those who themselves serve the Lord Christ,’ +and will allow you the religious privileges of which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>they know the value, than to obtain a situation where +a mistress is indulgent because indifferent, or for the +sake of easy work or high wages.</p> + +<p>In seeking employers, determine to put your +Heavenly Master’s service first of all. If you serve +Him well, no fear that you will fail in your duty to +them. Remember that He said, ‘I am among you +as He that serveth;’ that He found His joy in +doing the will of the Father, and that He ‘who, +being in the form of God,’ yet, for our sakes, ‘took +upon Him the form of a servant, humbled Himself, +and became obedient unto death.’</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III"> + CHAPTER III. + <br> + <small>‘HAIR-SPLITTERS.’</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap3.png" width="29" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">I have</span> alluded to the fact that the word ‘family’ +includes the servants of a household; but I am +inclined to think that they are more slow to +realize their position as such than even their employers +are.</p> + +<p>When inquiring about the work pertaining to a +situation, they are often so very particular to have +the duties of the place defined with the utmost exactness. +‘Shall I be expected to do this?’ or, ‘In my +last place, I was never asked to do that;’ ‘I like +to know what my work is to be, and then I’ve no +doubt I shall do it to the satisfaction of all parties,’ +are expressions common enough when mistress and +maid are arranging terms.</p> + +<p>It is no doubt advisable so to plan the work of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span>a house that each servant, where there are two or +more, may know what is her share, and do it. The +wheels of the domestic chariot would soon stick +fast, and confusion reign instead of order, if things +were left to arrange themselves.</p> + +<p>There is, however, a vast difference between taking +and doing the work allotted to us in a narrow, +selfish spirit, or with the large-hearted kindness +which should distinguish the servants of Christ. In +the one case there is a continual hair-splitting going +on, and when the smallest service which was not +actually bargained for is required, we hear that hateful +expression, ‘<i>It’s not my place.</i>’ ‘I came here to +be housemaid—not to do cook’s work.’ Or, ‘If you +had mentioned that, when Sarah has her day out, +you would expect me to look after the children, I +should have known what to do,’ is said to the +mistress in an injured tone, or, worse still, <i>at +her</i>, as the damsel goes grumbling about the +house.</p> + +<p>These ‘hair-splitting servants,’ as I cannot help +calling them, who are always stickling for ‘rights’ +and going more than half-way to meet wrongs and +grievances, know nothing of the true family feeling, +and are equally unpleasant people for mistresses and +fellow-servants to deal with. The former are wearied +with perpetual complaints—the latter are often +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>rendered so uncomfortable by the nagging, exacting, +and self-asserting spirit of the individual who is +always on the bristle in defence of her <i>place</i> and +her <i>right</i>, that they will leave a good home rather +than endure her companionship.</p> + +<p>I will try to make my meaning plainer still.</p> + +<p>The ‘hair-splitter’ has perhaps been called into +the sitting-room to speak to her mistress. She +leaves it again whilst the parlour-maid is clearing +the table. She <i>could</i> save the latter a journey by +carrying out one or two of the heavier articles, and +would cause herself no extra trouble by so doing. +But, ‘No thank you,’ our ‘hair-splitter’ knows her +place. Let the waitress mind her own business—she +will not be asked to do any part of hers. And so +she marches out of the room empty-handed, and +is satisfied that in so doing she is keeping her +place.</p> + +<p>Perhaps some one in the house is an invalid, +and requires to be waited on in her own apartment. +All who know anything of sick-nursing +can tell how many journeys up and down stairs +are necessarily made, how many weary steps must +be taken by those who minister to a sufferer’s comfort.</p> + +<p>Usually, I believe, the servants are found willing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>to take a full share of the extra work entailed by +illness, and manifest their sympathy in the most +practical way, by doing it ungrudgingly and uncomplainingly. +Often they will voluntarily give up +all the little privileges so precious to those whose +work lies wholly indoors, and ‘stay in when it is +their turn to go out,’ rather than cause inconvenience—all +but the ‘hair-splitter.’ She has bargained +for certain things, and she will have them. +She never came to be a sick-nurse, but to do +regular work in her own place. She will go up +and down stairs with empty hands, though it would +be no effort for her to carry up the box of coal +which she knows to be wanted, or to bring down +little articles which the attendant in the sick-room +has put outside on the landing, until she can leave +the invalid for a few minutes to carry them down +herself.</p> + +<p>Our ‘hair-splitter’ disdains to lend a hand outside +her own circle, and, let who may give up the day +out, she will exact hers and every other privilege +that she can claim, no matter who may suffer inconvenience.</p> + +<p>‘I keep to my bargain; let other people keep to +theirs. I do my work that I engaged for; that is +enough for me. I keep my place; let the rest keep +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>theirs,’ says the ‘hair-splitter;’ and she holds up her +head, and defies anybody to say a word to the +contrary.</p> + +<p>Perhaps she speaks the literal truth, and she may +be a thorough servant in her own department; but +she is only a hireling, and has no part or lot in or +with the family in that higher sense to which I have +alluded. And, oh! how little does such a one realize +the yet deeper, holier union and sympathy which +must subsist between those who are members of the +family of God, who, like the Divine Head, Christ +Jesus, find it their joy to help the helpless, comfort +the sorrowing, to strive, in ever so humble a way, +to bear one another’s burdens, and so to fulfil the +law of Christ.</p> + +<p>If a member of the family, she will ‘rejoice with +those who do rejoice, and weep with those who +weep.’</p> + +<p>There will be no ‘hair-splitting,’ no talk about +rights; but the true-hearted servant, who in all +her dealings with earthly employers acknowledges +her Divine Master, will above all things strive to +follow His example. It will not be a question, +‘How little can I do?’ but, ‘How can I best contribute +to the happiness of each and all under the +roof? How can I lighten the load of, or make the +work easier for, my fellow-servant?’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p> + +<p>In numberless ways the willing mind and kindly +heart will find that this can be done without any +additional effort or weariness to the thoughtful helper. +But even if it do cost an extra effort or a few more +steps to save still more of both to a tired fellow-servant, +never mind. They will be well bestowed. +And if done for the Heavenly Master’s sake, the +reward will come in the present happiness which a +consciousness of doing right always brings with it. +Those who practise self-devoting kindness in their +intercourse with others experience a joy unknown +to the ‘hair-splitter,’ who triumphs in having successfully +claimed her ‘rights’ and in keeping her +place.</p> + +<p>Now for a few words on the subject of good +manners.</p> + +<p>I have said that a servant may be as truly +a gentlewoman in manners as the mistress she +serves; but in order to merit the name, she must +never forget the respect and obedience she owes to +those who employ her. The ‘I’m-as-good-as-you’ +sort of spirit is always a mark of—I was going to +say—a vulgar mind. I will take higher ground. It +is unworthy of the disciple of Him who said, ‘Learn +of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye +shall find rest unto your souls.’</p> + +<p>The injunctions in God’s Word with regard to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>manners and conduct of servants towards their employers +are particularly plain and unmistakable. +Fidelity, honesty, hearty service, and obedience are +enjoined again and again. Equally so good manners, +though not in these exact words.</p> + +<p>It is no doubt very trying for a grown-up girl or +woman to be reproved in sharp, unmeasured terms, +and more especially in the presence of others. But +if (by God’s grace) she is enabled to conquer the +inclination to reply rudely and to give, instead, the +soft answer which turns away wrath, even when she +feels that she has been unreasonably dwelt with, she +gains a double conquest. She vanquishes the rising +of sinful passion, preserves her own self-respect, and +probably wins the goodwill of her mistress also, +besides knowing that she has remembered the Divine +rule: ‘Servants, be subject to your masters with all +fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to +the froward. If, when ye do well, and suffer for +it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with +God.’</p> + +<p>You see, then, dear girls, that you are not to +forget, even under difficult and trying circumstances, +the respect due from those who serve to those who +rule in the house. The tossing of the head, the +heavy or bouncing step, the loud or pert answer, the +slamming of doors, the throwing things violently +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span>down, and the going grumbling about the house, +saying things <i>at</i> the mistress which you would be +afraid or ashamed to say <i>to</i> her, are all marks of +vulgarity and little-mindedness, which every girl who +has any self-respect will avoid. And, whilst rather +calculated to inspire contempt for the childishness +of those who act in this unreasoning, foolish fashion, +than to produce any effect on those whom they are +intended to annoy, they are also utterly unworthy of +every girl or woman who professes to be a servant +of Christ.</p> + +<p>The commands, ‘Be kind, be pitiful, be courteous,’ +were not meant for mistresses only, or for +the rich and those who fill high places in this +world, but for people of all ages and of every +position. It is not the possession of riches, which +perhaps those who own them have done nothing +to win; or the bearing of an old name, ennobled +by the grand lives of those who bore it in bygone +ages; not the high position occupied in this world, +or even all three combined, which can entitle any +human being to the name of gentleman or gentlewoman.</p> + +<p>Thank God! those who occupy the humblest +positions can <i>merit</i> the names, though they may not +claim them. If, in fulfilling our various duties, we +yield ourselves to the guidance and teaching of God’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>Holy Spirit, and strive by our lives to adorn the +doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, living +soberly, righteously, and godly, showing ourselves +kind, forbearing, tender-hearted, forgiving, observing +the golden rule, spreading as much happiness and +saving as much pain as we can, we shall reap a +glorious harvest of peace within and goodwill from +all around us.</p> + +<p>Believe me, dear girls, none so well deserve the +names of gentleman and gentlewoman as do those +whose lives best reflect that of their great pattern, +Christ Jesus. And better by far than all the other +books in the world is the Bible itself for teaching +good manners.</p> + +<p>Before concluding this chapter, I will briefly +suggest a few of the <i>advantages of domestic service</i>. +Some girls think that the privileges are all on the +side of the outdoor workers, that the mill-hand, +machinist, the dressmaker, and the young shopwoman +have an amount of freedom from personal restraint +which those in service cannot enjoy. Let us look +more closely into this, as also into the matter of +wages.</p> + +<p>Really the outdoor worker has in many cases less +time at her disposal than the domestic servant, and +her average gains are less also. A servant with +good health and character need never be unemployed, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>as the demand for such is generally in excess +of the supply. She has no slack times, like nearly +all other workers, employment and wages being +regular the year round in her case.</p> + +<p>Her situation is not affected by a sudden change +of fashion, which will often throw nearly all the +workers in a particular branch out of situations, and +compel them to learn some new business by which +they may earn their bread.</p> + +<p>The domestic servant has in many cases the advantage +of living in a far more comfortable home, +and of being better fed and cared for. She has less +anxiety about ways and means than the outdoor +worker. For the latter a slack time indicates the loss +of wages, perhaps for weeks together; and unless +girls have been very prudent and careful, it means +also a season of privation to themselves, if they +cannot turn their hands to something else in the +meanwhile.</p> + +<p>The wages may seem less. Are they really +so?</p> + +<p>Supposing an outdoor worker has sixteen shillings +a week, and this is a very high average, and that +she does not lose a day’s pay in twelve months, she +is certainly no better off than the domestic servant +with six shillings. Out of the sixteen the outdoor +worker has to pay for lodgings, food, and fire. Could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>she for ten shillings a week live in the same comfort +as does a domestic servant in a well-ordered +home?</p> + +<p>Then the latter has no coming through the streets +unprotected, and in all weathers; and, in the quiet +round of household duties, she is exposed to far +fewer temptations than the outdoor worker. (The +exceptions are in the cases of girls who live under +their parents’ roof, and are cared for by a watchful, +loving, and judicious mother.)</p> + +<p>Moreover, the employment of the domestic servant +is not nearly so monotonous as that of the factory +hand, or so wearying as that of the young shopwoman +who stands behind the counter for many +hours at a time. She has less anxiety than even +those under whose roof she lives, knowing nothing +of consultations about making ends meet, or of fears +when quarter-day comes round.</p> + +<p style="margin-top: 4em;">Lastly, the domestic servant is not the ‘hand’ of +whom often the employer knows less than he does +of the machine she tends, but one who is in constant +communication with father, mother, and children +under the roof—in short, as I have already asserted, +she is one of the family, and necessarily trusted as +such.</p> + +<p>I may add that the law affords the latter very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>special protection in the matter of wages, domestic +servants being paid in full when other creditors often +have to accept only a portion of what is due to +them, or what is called a composition.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV"> + CHAPTER IV. + <br> + <small>IN THE NURSERY.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap4.png" width="30" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">It</span> is a somewhat remarkable fact that the younger +the servant employed, the greater and more +precious is the first charge usually placed in her +hands. I mean, of course, the baby, with occasionally +two or three other small children in addition.</p> + +<p>To nurse the one and keep the other out of mischief +is generally deemed the fitting occupation for +the little maid, herself a mere child when she first +goes out to service. The young hands that are too +unsteady to be trusted with such fragile articles as +glass and crockery, lest these should suffer damage, +too unskilled in household matters to be esteemed of +much value in the cleaning and scrubbing department, +are deemed quite competent to hold the baby +and act as caretaker to the whole juvenile brood.</p> + +<p>Often the busy, notable mother of a family will +say, when speaking of a child-servant, ‘I cannot let +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span>her help in the house-work. She would only make +more labour than she would save; would dirty more +than she would clean; break more things by clumsiness +and carelessness than her wages would pay for. +I can get through much more quickly by myself, and +nothing will need doing over again. But she <i>can</i> +nurse the baby and look after the children, which will +set my hands free to do the house-work.’</p> + +<p>So the house-mother bustles from place to place +and does the work herself. In the meanwhile, the +inexperienced hands which must on no account be +trusted with the crockery, the chairs, and the tables, +have the sole charge of what should be to every +mother the most precious of helpless treasures—her +infant.</p> + +<p>In the comparatively poor districts of large towns, +chiefly inhabited by working people and small shopkeepers, +it is no uncommon thing for a little maid, +barely in her teens, to go out nursing by the day—and +generally a very long day. She comes home to +sleep, the small place where a business is carried on +being often filled to overflowing by the shopkeeper’s +actual belongings. It is probably fortunate for the +small servant that she does go home to sleep, or her +day’s work might come to an end even later still, or +last all night, should the baby sleep with her.</p> + +<p>Numbers of little maidens make their start as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span>domestic servants in this way, and rise by gradual +steps to what is considered a position of greater trust +and responsibility. I have been in a tiny shop when +a dot of a girl, pinafored and with a cotton hood or +woollen kerchief on her head, has entered. Dropping +a little bob of a courtesy, she has announced that she +is seeking her first place by the question, ‘Please, +ma’am, do you want a girl to help to nurse the +baby?’</p> + +<p>It is often the case that these little maids, the +eldest of large families, have served a seven years’ +apprenticeship at home nursing before they are twice +that number of years old. They are frequently far +more handy with babies than much older people, and +the very small folks always like a girl-nurse, who is +not too old to romp and play, and who enjoys the +games as heartily as do her little charges. These +mites love to see a merry face, to hear a good ringing +laugh, and to listen to the nonsense rhymes and +nursery jingles which come pattering from the still +childish lips of their young guardian.</p> + +<p>I do not know a greater affliction in a nursery than +a nurse, no matter how good and conscientious she +may be, who goes through her duties in a grave, +stolid, unsympathetic way; washing and dressing the +children, tidying and stitching in a mechanical, plodding +fashion, and doing her duty faithfully, according +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>to her light, but forgetting, in her dealings with children, +that she was once as young as they are.</p> + +<p>The nurse who worrits over a soiled pinafore or +rumpled hair, who is for ever straightening up, and +putting the toys and litter which children delight in +and ought to have around them on high shelves and +in out-of-the-way places, may have a tidy nursery, +but she will certainly have a brood of unhappy +youngsters around her.</p> + +<p>There are nurses who are old in years, but young +in heart, bright, cheerful, and abounding in love for +children, and who come second only to the good +mother in the affection of the small people. And +there are others who are by no means old counting +by years, but who left their youthful spirits behind +them, if they ever had any, when they began to run +alone.</p> + +<p>I once heard a lady speaking of two girls, of only +eighteen and twenty, who had the care of her three +children. ‘They are both good girls,’ she said; +‘truthful, conscientious, well-behaved. I have no +fear that the children will ever learn anything wrong +from them. But they are so stolid and dull that they +seem to take all the brightness out of the lives of the +little ones. One sits like a lump at her stitching; the +other, like a second lump of human material, keeps +the children out of mischief, and takes care that the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>nursery is in a painful state of order, and that +smeared faces and soiled pinafores are things unknown.</p> + +<p>‘Let a child leave a toy for a moment, it is seized +and put carefully away. These nurses never can be +made to understand that, what would appear untidy +and disorderly in a drawing-room, is the proper and +necessary state of things in an apartment dedicated +to the use of little ones. If children are to be happy +they must be occupied, and to find them employment +a variety in books, toys, and pictures must be within +their reach.</p> + +<p>‘A childish mind does not fix itself upon any one +thing for a length of time. But though Jack may +have become weary of the pursuit of architecture, +and may demolish with one stroke the castle he has +spent half an hour in building, he does not want the +materials packed away, in case he should determine +on erecting a church somewhat later in the day. He +likes to have his bricks within reach, even while he +is looking at pictures, and to be able to turn from +his book to his wheelbarrow without asking nurse’s +leave. Then the children want some one to laugh +with them, to sing, to lead their games and teach +them new ones; and when they go out they do not +want to be led solemnly along as if they were attending +a funeral.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p> + +<p>‘I am sorry to part with two thoroughly good +girls,’ added the speaker, ‘but I cannot bear +to see the children growing up such little sobersides, +so unnaturally grave and old before their +time.’</p> + +<p>‘What shall you do then?’ asked the friend to +whom the lady was speaking.</p> + +<p>‘Oh, I have engaged a cheery, middle-aged widow +to do the sewing and superintend generally. She is +to have a little girl of fourteen under her as her +messenger and the children’s playfellow. I fell in +love with the little maid when out district-visiting, +through seeing the delightful way in which she +managed to keep her own small brothers and sisters +amused and happy, with next to nothing in the way +of materials. I am quite reckoning on litter and +laughter in my nursery, in place of unvarying tidiness +and dulness.’</p> + +<p>Do not imagine that this lady would have tolerated +any lack of real cleanliness in the persons or +surroundings of her children. She estimated at their +full value the neatness and particularity of her maids; +but she felt that, while the young bodies were admirably +cared for, the nursery atmosphere was cheerless +and depressing. It was deficient in human sunshine +and sympathy.</p> + +<p>Instead of being merry and childlike, her youngsters +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>were becoming staid, prim little men and +women; their very games were made a serious +business; the care of their toys was a matter of +grave responsibility. The children could hardly +have had more upright and careful attendants; but +the mother saw that spotless pinafores, constant +supervision, and a tidy nursery were not in themselves +sufficient for happiness.</p> + +<p>I have given this little sketch from life because I +want to impress upon my girl readers who think of +offering themselves to fill the situation of nurse, that +something more is required to make a good one than +a mere knowledge of nursery work.</p> + +<p>If I were engaging a nurse for young children, I +should not only inquire about the experience she had +gained in caring for their bodies, her cleanliness, +truthfulness, honesty, and general trustworthiness. +I might be satisfied on these points, and the applicant +might also be one of the best seamstresses that +ever took needle in hand, and yet I should want +something of more importance than all these.</p> + +<p>I should need to be convinced that she was not +taking a place as nurse merely as a means of breadwinning, +but because she honestly loved the helpless +little ones, and was sufficiently young-hearted to feel +for and with them in matters that are trifles to grown-up +people, but great things to children.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> + +<p>I should want to study her face a little, to find that +it was bright and happy-looking, and that her voice +had a cheery ring in it. To be convinced that, when +the laughing, crowing baby looked up in its glee, it +would see a responsive smile on its nurse’s countenance, +and that her presence would be likely to make +the nursery not merely a cleanly but a happy place +for the children.</p> + +<p>So I say to my readers, never take a place as nurse +unless you can carry with you a heart large enough +to hold all your little charges, and warm enough to +pay back with interest the love they are so ready to +give to those who sympathise with and are kind +to them. You will need patience to bear with them, +and firmness to check what is wrong; you will need +constant watchfulness and prayerful self-examination +in order that, by God’s grace, you may be enabled to +subdue in yourselves whatever might set a bad example +or produce a bad impression on the children +intrusted to your care.</p> + +<p>Next to the mother, probably no human being has +so great an influence over the little ones for good or +evil as the nurse. Take care that yours shall be for +good. There is no lesson more quickly learned by +a child than that of trying to hide a fault by telling +an untruth. Perhaps curiosity has led to meddling, +meddling to an accident and a breakage. To cover +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span>this and escape punishment, the child deliberately +plans concealment, and tells its first lie.</p> + +<p>The same teacher—fear of consequences—often +finds an apt pupil in the nurse as well as in her young +charges, and she tells, or it may be only acts, a falsehood +in their presence. Who can estimate the mischief +done, or the fruit produced from the seed of +that evil example? Young eyes are quick to see,—young +minds to receive impressions. Not so quick +to lose the effect, or get rid of the consequences, of a +single lesson in deceit.</p> + +<p>Dear young nurses, let me plead with you for the +sake of the immortal souls of these precious little +ones; be true in word and deed. Strive to lead +them gently and lovingly; set them a good example. +Ask strength from God to overcome the temptations +to anger and falsehood. Be careful, too, that no profane +or impure expression ever passes from your lips, +to defile the ears and corrupt the minds of the children +committed to your care. Let not those young +eyes witness any action that you would be afraid +or ashamed for a grown-up person to see.</p> + +<p>Nay, let your thoughts soar still higher, and remember +the Eye that never slumbers nor sleeps, the +Ear which hears equally the prayer and the wrong or +idle words of which we often think so lightly.</p> + +<p>Should any accident happen to an infant either +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>through inadvertence or want of care on your part, be +brave and true. Go at once to the mother, and, even +at the risk of losing your situation, or of a severe +reprimand, tell about the fall or the blow which the +child has received, and ask that means may be used +to prevent any permanent harm resulting from it. I +have known two cases of life-long deformity and +lameness, both of which might have been prevented +had the nurses told of comparatively trifling accidents +when they occurred, but which were rendered serious +for want of immediate attention.</p> + +<p>The little creatures had wailed and cried,—their +only mode of telling that they were in pain. The +tears were put down to teething, crossness—anything +but the real cause. Had the truth been told and a +doctor sent for, the experienced professional touch +and eye would have discovered the injuries, the joints +would have been replaced, and two fine girls saved +from lasting disfigurement.</p> + +<p>Better, far better endure displeasure or even the +loss of a place, than carry the life-long memory that, +through your want of courage and candour, a young +creature’s existence has been blighted, or its activity +and usefulness impaired. Ay, and what is of still +more importance, better be the humblest drudge at +the roughest of household work, than undertake the +charge of children without a deep sense of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>solemn responsibilities belonging to the nurse’s +office.</p> + +<p>If you cannot carry into the nursery loving hearts, +patience, self-control, cheerfulness, courage, truth, +pure speech, propriety of manners, and tender sympathy, +work elsewhere in the household. Remember +that it is not only the bodies of the little ones for +which you have to care, but that you will have to +answer for the influence you may exert on their +minds and souls. Are they not the lambs whom +Jesus loved and blessed? Do they not belong to that +flock for which the Good Shepherd laid down His life +on Calvary?</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V"> + CHAPTER V. + <br> + <small>INFLUENCE OVER CHILDREN—BEAR AND FORBEAR.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap5.png" width="42" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">There</span> are some servants, and particularly +those who are beyond girlhood, who regard the +children of the household with anything but a +kindly feeling, who bitterly resent the planting of +a young foot on the kitchen floor, and deem the +appearance of a curly head in its doorway as an +unwarrantable intrusion.</p> + +<p>‘Now you go out of my kitchen this minute,’ +cries the ruling genius. ‘You know you’ve no +business here. Be off! Quick! or I’ll tell your +ma.’</p> + +<p>The curly head vanishes. The youngster, perhaps, +only came to make a private inquiry as to the +forthcoming pudding, or something equally innocent. +But after his disappearance, cook will probably +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>further remark, ‘I hate to have children poking and +prying about. They always tell tales and make +mischief.’</p> + +<p>I can understand the existence of such a feeling if +any mistress is so injudicious, any mother so unwise +towards her children, as to permit them to act the +part of spies over her servants and tattlers towards +herself. It is as lowering to her own dignity as it is +insulting to those who serve, and injurious to her +children to encourage such practices.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the upright, conscientious +servant has no need to care who looks on whilst +she is engaged about her daily duties. If she reverently +carries in her mind this one thought, ‘Thou +God seest me,’ and acts as in that presence, she +has no occasion to trouble herself about other observers.</p> + +<p>As a mother, I feel even more strongly than as the +mistress of a home. However accomplished a servant +might be in the duties of her department, I would +not keep her if I thought that the morals and +manners of my children would suffer by contact with +her.</p> + +<p>Speaking to servants in every department of service, +I say, ‘Be kind to the children, dear girls. You can, +if you are Christians, give many a hint for their +good. You may whisper a word in season which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>may make the angry boy ashamed of his senseless +passion. You may show the little one who is +inclined to deceive the beauty and bravery of +truth.’</p> + +<p>Children are often inclined to gossip. They perhaps +overhear something which was never intended +to reach them, and, big with the thought of a +discovered secret, are eager to share the newly-acquired +knowledge with somebody else. A young +servant is the nearest individual to the little personage +who is inclined to be confidential, and to her the tale +is told, if she will listen.</p> + +<p>This gives a right-minded girl an opportunity of +showing her own uprightness and honourable disposition +by refusing to listen, and of pointing out +to the child the impropriety of repeating what +has been said by parents or guests who had either +not noticed or forgotten the presence of the ‘little +pitcher.’</p> + +<p>Imagine how sweet it was to a mother’s ears when +one of my children, after speaking of happy talks +she had enjoyed on Sunday evenings with a young +servant, said, ‘I always feel better after a conversation +with her, more anxious to love and serve +God, and to be good and do what is right to everybody.’</p> + +<p>After such an instance as this, dear girls, you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>cannot imagine that a servant’s influence is to be +lightly thought of or carelessly used. I have known +an instance in another home where the religious +training of the parents was rendered useless, their +boy’s faith undermined, and the man’s future career +hopelessly changed, by the contrary influence of an +old and much-trusted domestic.</p> + +<p>Again, if servants wish to find a common bond of +sympathy between their mistresses and themselves, +the little ones will furnish it. When riding in a +tram-car, I one day sat opposite to a young mother, +who was accompanied by a girl-nurse with a baby +on her lap. It was evidently the first, and all its +clothing bore traces of tasteful, industrious fingers, +rather than of great expenditure. The child was a +lovely creature, and its young mother and younger +nurse seemed unconscious of everything else. The +three made a charming picture; for the little maid, +her face lighted up with love, told how her charge +had been admired by different ladies, who had even +stopped her in the street to look at and praise the +bonny baby. The mother listened with eager ears +and happy face, and I left that tram-car with +unwilling feet, because I thought that in the popular +carriage I had seen two human beings united by +perfect sympathy, the bond between them being a +few weeks’ old infant.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> + +<p>I had a cook once who was very difficult to +manage. She was extremely clever in her own +department, but determined to have her way and to +rule instead of obeying a mistress who was then comparatively +inexperienced in household management, +and many years younger than herself. I thought I +must part with her; but cook had a vulnerable +point. She almost worshipped babies, and being +shown into the room where I sat with a month old +infant on my knee, when she first came about +the place, she implored me to let her hold it whilst +we talked.</p> + +<p>‘Being in the kitchen, I hardly ever get a baby +into my arms,’ she said. ‘I’m fond of cooking, but +if I had to start again, I’d be a nurse.’</p> + +<p>I am sure the baby was an unconscious source of +strength to our warm-hearted, self-willed cook; and +for the little creature’s sake she would often battle +against a temper which was most trying to every one +else in the house. Her stay was prolonged far +beyond any person’s expectation, and her darling +was two years old before Sarah left us. She had +rendered the kitchen too hot to hold any one but +herself, and it was a question of parting with her or +the other three servants.</p> + +<p>But I was almost unnerved at the sight of old +Sarah weeping over the child whom she had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>nursed since she was in long clothes, and who +was clasping her neck with one arm, while with +the other hand she wiped away the tears from +her friend’s face, making her pinafore corner do +duty for a handkerchief!</p> + +<p>I had done what I could to obtain a situation for +Sarah in which I thought she would be as little +tempted as was possible to give way to her besetting +sins, and I thankfully remember that she did well +in it.</p> + +<p>Here let me say a few words about the need for +<i>mutual forbearance in the household</i>. There is a very +old story of an aged couple whose quarrels had been +for many years the talk of the neighborhood, when, +to the surprise of everybody, the disturbances ceased. +The gossips lost their regular excitement and wonder, +and curiosity took its place. Somebody at last +mustered courage to ask the old man the secret of +the unwonted peace. He replied with a smile, “My +old woman and I have got on all right since we got +two bears to live with us.” This only increased the +curiosity; but it turned out that these were named +‘bear’ and ‘forbear.’</p> + +<p>Ah, the presence of these two bears is absolutely +essential to the happiness of every home. They are +as much needed in the kitchen as in the drawing-room, +and I would say to every young candidate for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>a situation, ‘Whatever else you may leave behind, +take the two bears along with you.’</p> + +<p>Mistresses often complain that one of their most +serious difficulties arises from the disagreements +amongst the servants themselves. One lady, when +telling me of this domestic trouble, was ready +to cry, because her efforts to induce her servants to +be kind and friendly with each other had utterly +failed.</p> + +<p>‘Two of them,’ said she, ‘are pleasant-tempered +enough; but the cook and nurse are always either +squabbling or sulking. We have had an interval of +peace recently, for these two gave up speaking to +each other about a fortnight since, and both are too +proud to make any advance towards resuming friendly +relations. The others are made extremely uncomfortable, +and the children cannot help observing +what is going on. It is a shocking example for +them.’</p> + +<p>‘And are these quarrelsome girls good servants +in other respects?’ I asked.</p> + +<p>‘Excellent. Indeed, all four fulfil their duties to +my entire satisfaction, are respectful to their employers, +attentive to guests, good to the children. +If it were not for the wretched contrariness of the +cook and nurse towards each other, I should esteem +myself uncommonly fortunate.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p> + +<p>In this case, you see, the comfort of a home was +largely interfered with, and not only the offenders +themselves were miserable, but every member of the +family suffered, more or less, for want of a little of +the ‘bear and forbear spirit’ in two of the household.</p> + +<p>As a rule, servants are extremely reluctant to +tell tales of, or to lodge complaints against, one +another. This is much to their credit; though +amongst such a numerous class there are sure to +be some tattlers. All honour to those who, in things +which affect their own comfort only, show that +‘charity which suffereth long, and is kind.’</p> + +<p>But there are cases in which it is right both to +speak and act promptly and boldly. For instance, +when the conduct of one makes all the rest miserable, +as in a particular instance which occurs to my +mind as I write.</p> + +<p>A cook in a family where several servants were +kept, was for years feared and disliked as a perfect +tyrant in her own domain. She was so jealous +and suspicious, that an expression of kindness and +approval from the mistress to one of the other +servants was resented as a personal injury to herself. +The recipient would be harassed with taunts, +accused of hypocrisy, and of wanting to undermine +her in the good opinion of their mutual +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>employers. Or, as the others remarked, ‘Let the +mistress praise one of us, and cook will blaze like +her own kitchen fire, and give us a hot time of it +for days to come.’</p> + +<p>This mistress was particularly anxious for the +comfort and happiness of all under the roof. She +was careful to have respectable servants, and to +satisfy herself also about the character of their friends +and connections. This done, she personally invited +them to visit their young relatives and friends, +and never had to complain that the privilege was +abused.</p> + +<p>But, to her surprise, visitors rarely came a second +time during the reign of this kitchen tyrant. It was +only after long endurance, and when a new cook had +succeeded, that the mistress, who wished her house +to be a home to her servants, found out why it was +not so. Simply because they could not endure that +their friends should be made uncomfortable by +taunts and rudeness, and they preferred to send +them from the door, or to see them anywhere or +nowhere, rather than under the roof of their employers.</p> + +<p>The cook was an excellent servant in other +respects, but for years she nullified the efforts of her +employers for the comfort of her fellow-servants +by her jealousy, and by practicing all the petty +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>tyrannies which a mean and suspicious nature, +combined with fertility of invention, could contrive.</p> + +<p>How much the servants endured would be difficult +to tell. But they did bear, and in silence, rather +than be blamed for tale-telling. They would not +complain, lest their unkind fellow-servant should +lose her place; though she had not scrupled to rob +them of comfort, domestic peace, and the family +intercourse which the mistress both permitted and +encouraged.</p> + +<p>In this case too much forbearance was shown. +I think that the right thing would have been for the +servants, first, to join in remonstrating with the +kitchen tyrant, stating at the same time their intention +of laying the matter before their mistress +should cook still refuse to hear reason. By such +a course they would have saved great discomfort +to themselves, have taught a much-needed lesson +to one who was not fit to be trusted even with +kitchen government, and they would have prevented +the commands of the mistress from being a dead +letter in her home.</p> + +<p>Perhaps some of you may like a little advice as +to when it is right to appeal to the mistress, and +when it is wise to be silent. In this, as in every +other difficulty, you will find all the guidance you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>can possibly need in the Bible. Go on the grand +principle of doing what God’s Word and your own +conscience impel you to do.</p> + +<p>If you are aware of a wrong done to your employers, +or have good cause to suspect that they +are being robbed or wilfully deceived by those in +whom they place confidence, you ought to speak. +If through your silence the innocent would be +blamed, or the guilty escape detection, you should +tell what you know.</p> + +<p>The person who, seeing wrong done, keeps silence, +and lets another be injured, becomes a partaker +in evil-doing. Sooner or later those who, by hiding +the wrong, tacitly consent thereto, will certainly be +involved in the blame also. Some may blame you +for speaking; but it is better “that ye suffer for well-doing +than for evil-doing.” So mind you suffer +as a Christian should, for doing right, if you must +be blamed at all.</p> + +<p>Take another piece of advice from St. Peter’s +first Epistle, which is full of practical teaching for +the guidance of Christians in their relations one +towards another, and to their Divine Head. ‘But +let none of you suffer as a thief or as an evil-doer.’</p> + +<p>Remember the value of a good name. If yours +is unjustly attacked, spare no pains to remove the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>false impression, and to regain the good opinion +of those who have misjudged you.</p> + +<p>‘Or as a busybody.’ See how carefully both +sides are given! We are warned against keeping +silent, where doing this would injure others, hide +wrong-doing, or hurt our own good name. We +are equally warned against tattling or busying +ourselves about what does not concern us. In +so many cases where a mere love of gossip would +induce us to speak, it is wiser, kinder, more becoming +a Christian, to be silent. A few sentences +from God’s Word will be the best comment on +this side of the subject, and show us the propriety +of silence where we should serve no good end by +speaking.</p> + +<p>‘He that coveteth a transgression seeketh love.’ +‘He that refraineth his lips is wise.’ ‘He that +uttereth a slander is a fool.’ ‘The words of a tale-bearer +are as wounds.’ ‘A tale-bearer revealeth +secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth +the matter.’ ‘A whisperer separateth chief +friends.’</p> + +<p>To what does all this advice tend? Surely to +teach us that, as witnesses, we should be faithful +ones, telling the simple, unvarnished truth. That +our lips should be ‘righteous lips.’ That we should +not gossip about the faults and failings of others, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span>from a love of talk, and that our daily and hourly +prayer should be:—</p> + +<p>‘Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep +the door of my lips!’</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI"> + CHAPTER VI. + <br> + <small>THOROUGHNESS—ECONOMY OF TIME—CARE OF + PROPERTY—PUNCTUALITY.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap6.png" width="62" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">Most</span> mistresses are anxious that household +work should be well and thoroughly done. +I am, however, bound, in common fairness, +to say that, while many servants are careless and +slippery—spending the time that ought to be occupied +about their work in dawdling and gossiping—there +are also mistresses who are unreasonable in +their requirements. They demand impossibilities, +because they have no idea of the time that is needed +to ensure thoroughness in any branch of household +work.</p> + +<p>‘There is nothing I like so much as a mistress who +knows what work is, and who, having done it herself, +can tell how long it takes to do it real well.’</p> + +<p>These were the words of a bonny, bright-faced +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span>young housemaid who had lately entered upon a +new place. She loved cleanliness, and did not +consider that her duty was done when the ashes +were removed from under the grate, and a duster +lightly whisked over the tops of the tables and the +seats and backs of chairs.</p> + +<p>‘I’m not afraid of the chairs being turned round or +my mistress looking into corners, or that if you lift +up a book or an ornament, the shape of it will be left +clear on the dusty top of the chiffonier. I like +things to be just as clean and as bright all over as +hands can make them. But it takes time to make +them so, as well as good rubbing.’</p> + +<p>The girl was right. And it is a great blessing to +the employed when the employer has a practical +knowledge of the work her servants have to do.</p> + +<p>I rejoice to think that the cookery and domestic +economy classes are doing good service in this +direction, by making girls, the future mistresses +of homes, acquainted with the details of household +work.</p> + +<p>‘She is cleanly, but dreadfully slow,’ is no unfrequent +character from an active bustling mistress, +when parting with a servant, who is perhaps less +slow than thorough.</p> + +<p>On this subject, let me say to servants, If you are +not allowed the time to do your work well, take care +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span>that you spend upon it every minute that you have +allotted for the purpose. Let no one catch you +gossiping or idling away your time, when you have +complained that it was already insufficient for the +task to be properly performed. And if, after having +done your best, you are still found fault with, ask +your mistress, in a respectful manner, if she will, just +for once, look on whilst you do this piece of work, +and note how long it takes you to do it well.</p> + +<p>If instead of scolding on the one side, and flying +into a temper and answering impertinently on the +other, there were to be a fair consideration and a +reasonable test such as the above, we should have +fewer hasty warnings ‘to leave at the month’s end;’ +less frequent changes, and longer and more valuable +service from our domestics. These, too, would not +pay us less respect or care less for our interests, +because they found us willing to listen patiently to +a well-grounded complaint, and to redress any real +grievance.</p> + +<p>From the subject of economy of time and +thoroughness in the quality of work we turn +naturally to that of care in the use of the property +entrusted to you who serve in the household. In +respect to work there can be no better advice than +this: ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it +with thy might.’ So, in using the property of others, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>use it as though you had earned the money which +bought it.</p> + +<p>Accidents will occasionally happen in spite of +care; but numberless things are mutilated or +destroyed by the want of a very little precaution. +A window and door are both left open on a windy +day. The blind is next seen flapping to and fro +outside, and unless some watchful eye notices this, +the crash of glass announces that the lath has been +driven through a pane or two, valuable papers have +been carried into the fire or up the chimney, a tablecloth +and a number of fragile ornaments swept on to +the floor, and everything that would break amongst +them smashed to atoms by a little act of thoughtlessness.</p> + +<p>Who can truly say, ‘I could not help it,’ when an +indignant mistress reproaches the author of such +waste and ruin? She may not have done it on +purpose, but destruction which is caused by utter +carelessness is scarcely less blamable than wilful +waste.</p> + +<p>A great deal of harm is done to furniture by rough, +bouncing servants, who bang articles down on floor +or table, who rush about like a whirlwind, under the +impression that hurry and bustle mean industry +and earnestness, who seem to think that noise is an +essential accompaniment to work. These are the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>people under whom the edges of our tumblers are +chipped, until they become dangerous to those who +use them; in whose hands crockery is perpetually +‘coming in two,’ and handles as constantly ‘coming +off.’</p> + +<p>Chairs are recklessly brought in contact with +side-boards, and the veneering is chipped, or smooth, +polished surfaces are mercilessly rubbed with rough +dusters, with the result of leaving the same covered +with all sorts of fine lines and scratches. Under +such treatment the polished top of, say, a grand +piano, assumes the appearance of an immense outline +map.</p> + +<p>All such injury to furniture and utensils becomes +a double source of annoyance from the fact that a +little care would have prevented it. Hurry, bustle, +and bounce always hinder real work. It is the +steady, methodical servant, whose work is done +with the least apparent effort, but which entails the +smallest amount of destruction to property and is +most satisfactory in the long run.</p> + +<p>I often think of a little figure familiar under our +roof for nearly ten years, who was an admirable +illustration of the value of method and of forecasting +the work. Slight in frame, short in stature, +and by no means strong, in many respects she was +a living example of what could be effected by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>steadiness and a thoughtful planning of her work. +Nobody ever saw her in a hurry, or with a smutty +face or untidy hair. Her gowns looked less soiled +and tumbled at the week’s end than those of many +wearers would be after a few hours’ use.</p> + +<p>All cooking materials that could be properly +prepared beforehand or over-night were always +ready for use when wanted. A glance at the spotless +dressers and the floors, from which, to use a +popular expression, ‘you might have eaten your +dinner without a plate,’ gave a sufficient pledge of +the exquisite cleanliness of everything prepared in +that kitchen and by those hands. Yet all this +beautiful order and purity were the result of quiet, +steady work, carefully planned and carried out +regularly and methodically.</p> + +<p>There is no department in which cleanliness can +be of more importance than in that of the cook. A +careless, muddling cook will use her utensils indiscriminately. +She will boil her onions, for sauce, and +then, after a mere wash out, will make sweet sauce +for pudding in the same pan—we all know with what +result. A fine, subtle flavour of onions will run +through the second preparation, and will, in turn, +spoil both the sauce and the pudding it is intended +to improve. And yet, when fault is found, the +offender will perhaps stoutly insist, and with a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>certain measure of truth, that she had washed her +pan quite clean. Washing will not remove strong +flavours, and especially the taste of onions. A pan +should be kept for these alone, and no other sauce +should ever be prepared in it. It would take too +much space were I to attempt to enter fully into the +many little details connected with a cook’s duties, so +I will make my advice very brief.</p> + +<p>Be very cleanly in kitchen utensils, person, and +dress. Be specially particular about the neat arrangement +of your hair, so that it may not be loose +and straggling. Few things are more disgusting +than the sight of hairs amongst food. Scour and +scald—in addition to merely washing—all utensils. +Let crockery be thoroughly cleansed from grease and +brightened in the drying. Fill milk bowls with +boiling water, and let it stand in them until it is cold +before drying for use again. This will tend to make +the milk keep better.</p> + +<p>In using the articles of food and preparing them, +avoid all waste, and be ready to render an account +of everything that is entrusted to your care. There +are some cooks who use articles lavishly and wastefully, +and who give away what is not theirs to +bestow. They have no anxiety about providing +the food, no occasion to consider how bills are to +be paid, and often do not know the price and value +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>of what they waste. They will throw bread and +odd pieces amongst the swill, and let food be cast +away to nourish swine, which many a widowed +mother and hungry child would be thankful to receive +and make use of.</p> + +<p>Remember, you are accountable—and not to +earthly employers only—for every wasted bit, +whether of food or fuel. You are stewards in your +position, as your master and mistress are stewards +in theirs. And there is another thought I would +bring before you. Every housekeeper knows that +meat is daily growing dearer, and a sufficient supply +becoming less and less attainable. Consider, then, +that a lavish use or waste of meat helps to make it +dearer still, and life harder for the poor. Out of the +very scraps and crumbs, if you will only collect them, +thousands of birds may be fed and the lives of the +dear little songsters preserved through the cold blasts +and pinching frosts of winter.</p> + +<p>Every morning at my home, one of our kindly +domestics may be seen sallying forth with a plate on +which all these fragments have been collected by +their united efforts. Half of the store goes to the +birds in the front, half to their brethren in the back +garden; and the daily scene at feeding-time is well +worth watching for. I feel sure if you were to begin +to care for these little feathered pensioners on human +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span>bounty, you would find so much pleasure in doing it +that nothing would induce you to give up the practice.</p> + +<p>As I have advised nurses on no account to conceal +any accident that may happen to the children under +their care, so I would earnestly urge all servants to +tell, and at once, of any breakage or injury to furniture. +I say at once, because delay in telling always +makes the task more difficult.</p> + +<p>It is a mean thing, and an acted untruth, for a +servant to hide away the fragments of broken articles, +conceal the mischief done, and, perhaps, leave the +place without telling what has happened. Two unpleasant +results are likely to follow. A fellow-servant +may be blamed for that of which she is +innocent; a mistress may be put to serious inconvenience +for want of an article which she believed to +be safe and sound, though really it had been long +broken.</p> + +<p>Very often she will be met with a look of combined +protest and mock astonishment when she asks +for particulars. ‘Oh, that was done months since,’ is +the reply given. As though the length of time which +had elapsed made the loss less annoying, or the concealment +less to be condemned.</p> + +<p>Two wealthy bachelors, whose establishment was +nominally under the rule of a cook-housekeeper, were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span>one day surprised to find that out of a large and fine +set of cut wine-glasses, none remained but those they +were using at the moment. The waitress was considered +responsible for the safe keeping of table +appointments, and she had gone on breaking and +hiding, until, when a visitor came, there was no spare +glass to place for his use.</p> + +<p>The wrath of the masters may be better imagined +than described. It was, however, less the loss of +their property than the deceit and consequent annoyance +which caused them to arrange for the prompt +departure of that waitress.</p> + +<p>So again I say, tell and at once of any accident to +your employer’s property. At the moment, perhaps, +vexation at the loss may try your mistress’s temper, +and you may be sharply reproved. Express your +sorrow, if you have been careless, try to be more +careful in the future. Bear the reproof meekly, and, +when the first irritation is past, you will find that the +prompt confession has helped to build up your own +character for truthfulness and straightforwardness. +It is not unlikely that the mistress will afterwards +say something of this kind: ‘I was vexed at the +moment, but I am glad you told me the truth.’ And +in speaking of you to others she may blame you for +carelessness; but she will be able to say, ‘I can trust +her word.’ At any rate, your own conscience will +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>tell you that you have not added a wilful sin to an +unintentional error.</p> + +<p>And the ladies who rule in the house should encourage +their handmaidens to tell the truth in any +and every case of accident. It is rather hard to keep +from speaking sharply when some fragile but much-valued +article has been smashed to atoms by careless +hands. But if the culprit’s confession and expressions +of sorrow are met with scolding and harsh words, the +offender is very likely to hold her peace and hide the +fragments, should she meet with a second mishap of +the kind. Not that it would be right to do so; but +the temptation to take such a course would be vastly +increased.</p> + +<p>Where, however, a mistress has her patience tried +by repeated acts of carelessness, and the almost +wilful destruction of property, she has the remedy +in her own hands. She must either have a distinct +understanding that whoever breaks pays, or she must +part with the author of the mischief.</p> + +<p>Punctuality in carrying out household arrangements +is valuable in every home, as tending to make +the domestic machinery run smoothly. In some +houses it is of vital importance. Yet, all the +members of a family depend more or less on each +other for the power to be punctual with comfort—the +children who have to go to school, the father who +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span>must be at his place of business, the servants whose +work should be completed by a given time.</p> + +<p>A lady who was about to engage a cook was +extremely particular in her inquiries about the +habitual punctuality of the applicant.</p> + +<p>‘I can be punctual if the family can,’ was the +answer. ‘I like to be regular and orderly about my +work, and am prepared to be so. But my difficulty +has mostly been to get other people to be the same.’</p> + +<p>The girl spoke respectfully, and was quite in earnest. +The lady she addressed felt a guilty flush +creeping over her own face as she listened. She +knew very well that, whilst professing to exact punctuality +in others, she was often sadly deficient in the +practice of that virtue.</p> + +<p>There is no doubt, however, that a punctual mistress +will make her servants keep to the proper time; +but it is by no means equally sure that punctuality +in the employed would have the same effect on the +employers. These will sometimes say to servants, +‘You must have the meals on the table at the time. +Never mind whether any one is there to eat them or +not.’ But this would be a most unsatisfactory state +of things. The cook would grieve over spoiled +dishes; the waiting damsel would be uncomfortable; +and, depend on it, the blame would be placed on +clocks, on servants, on anything and anybody rather +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span>than applied to themselves by those who grumble +over a cold or lukewarm dinner.</p> + +<p>I shall not soon forget my return from town on +one occasion. I was half an hour late, and after I +came into the house I stopped on my way upstairs to +speak to a seamstress about some working materials +which I had brought back with me. On finally +descending I was met in the hall by that methodical +cook of whom I have already written.</p> + +<p>‘Ma’am! Are you aware that the dinner is +starving?’ (meaning, ‘getting cold,’) she asked with +a reproachful look on her face.</p> + +<p>I hope I felt properly guilty. I know I blushed +and said, apologetically, that if such were the case I +was to blame, and not she. And I hurried to my +place at table, convinced that punctuality ought to +be an all-round thing, and, if exacted from servants, +should also be practised by all the members of the +family.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII"> + CHAPTER VII. + <br> + <small>ON FAULT-FINDING—GIVING NOTICE TO LEAVE—AND + GIVING CHARACTERS.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap7.png" width="43" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">There</span> are two practices not altogether unknown +amongst servants against which it is hardly +possible to protest too strongly. I allude to +those of listening, in order to find out things never +intended for their ears, and of prying into odd +papers or letters, accidentally or trustfully left within +reach. No right-minded girl, no person deserving +the name of Christian, would be guilty of either +practice.</p> + +<p>If employers leave their letters and papers lying +about, this certainly implies trust in their servants, +and that they believe them to be too upright and +honourable to be guilty of prying into their contents. +If they speak of private matters in such a place and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span>tone that their servants could hear if they were mean +enough to listen, it is a proof that they do not think +them capable of such an underhand proceeding. Deserve +their good opinion, dear girls, and preserve +your self-respect by scorning to do, when unseen, +what you would be ashamed of if detected in the +act.</p> + +<p>Servants sometimes complain that mistresses are +unreasonably suspicious, and act as though they +expected to be cheated at every turn—that, like +Dickens’s Miss Sally Brass, they would padlock +everything, down to the very salt-box, until ‘there +was nothing that a chameleon could lunch upon’—and +manifest to those whom they employ a prying +spirit which they would be the first to complain of +in their servants. This spirit is, however, often the +harvest reaped by an upright girl from the seeds +sown by a deceitful and dishonest one. When a +mistress has trusted and been deceived, she is apt +to become suspicious where there is no occasion to +be so. The only remedy is for the new-comer so to +act as to show that the more her conduct is looked +into, the better <i>she</i> will be satisfied, as well as her +mistress.</p> + +<p>If, however, after a fair trial, the habit of locking +up every little thing and incessant mistrustfulness +should continue, a girl would be right to try for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span>another place, where truth and honesty were better +understood and appreciated. Were I a servant, I +could not endure the harass of being constantly +suspected and misjudged, any more than as a mistress +I would, after a fair trial, keep a servant whom +I could not both trust and respect.</p> + +<p>People tell us that now-a-days there are no old +servants—that where a seven years’ character used +to be a common thing, one for twelve months or two +years should be reckoned very good indeed. I do +not agree with these sweeping statements, and my +own home experience contradicts them. But I am +well aware that, in many households, there is a perpetual +game of Marjory-move-all going on. I believe +this is for want of a little more reasonableness on +both sides.</p> + +<p>Small difficulties, which might be got over by a +little patience, twist themselves into a knot which is +summarily cut by the usual month’s warning. If I +could only persuade you never to give warning on +the day that something has occurred to irritate you, +I should save many of you from throwing away a +good place. But if, yielding to a momentary irritation, +you have done this, and are sorry for it, do +not be too proud to own that you were wrong, and +ask forgiveness and permission to withdraw the +notice. Your mistress will respect you and value +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span>your services all the more after such a display of +right feeling and good sense.</p> + +<p>To young mistresses I venture a word of advice. +If you have something to complain about, always call +your servants into your own sitting-room, after the +day’s work is over, and point out the fault kindly and +reasonably. Say what is wrong and how it is to +be amended, and be firm in exacting attention and +future obedience to your orders.</p> + +<p>Never squabble with or rate your servants. By +doing so you lose your own dignity and their respect. +Never reprove them in the presence of visitors. Few +things are more calculated to irritate, or to provoke +a disrespectful reply; besides which, it renders the +guests extremely uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>I once saw a lady who had a very <i>correct eye</i>, and +who was very particular about her table arrangements, +seize upon a young servant, whisk her round +as she was about to leave the room, and angrily +direct her attention to a dish which was the least bit +awry. The girl, a new-comer, young, inexperienced, +and fresh from the country, blushed, trembled, and +seemed ready to sink through the floor, had it been +possible. Frightened at the angry looks of her mistress, +and confused at being made a centre of observation +to all those strange eyes, she was, moreover, +unable to comprehend what was amiss. By the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span>time the lady had, by shakes and jerks, aroused +her to a sense of the mistake she had committed, +the poor girl was hopelessly unnerved and in +tears.</p> + +<p>One blunder followed another. She handed dishes +at the wrong side, spilled the liquids when attempting +to pour them into glasses, was glared at by the +mistress, secretly pitied by the guests, and occupied +herself between times in furtively using her handkerchief +to wipe away the tears which, once set flowing, +were not easily stopped.</p> + +<p>Yet an unnoticed touch from the deft hand of the +lady would have straightened the dish. A few kind +words and a little lesson in private, instead of the +course pursued, would have revealed a disposition +willing to be taught and led in the servant, and have +shown the capability of the mistress to model her +into a first-class parlour-maid. As it was, the girl +left as soon as possible, and the mistress had to seek +another maid—a difficult matter, for she had got the +character of being perpetually changing her domestics. +This is a real picture, and one which, with +trifling variation in actual detail, I have seen enacted +again and again.</p> + +<p>‘Masters, give unto your servants that which is +just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master +in heaven.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span></p> + +<p>This advice or command, given by the hand of an +inspired apostle, applies to all who bear rule over +servants, whether in the place of business or the +home—to mistresses as well as masters. And surely +in giving that which is just and equal, we have to +think of more than a mere question of wages. We +should be just in our acts, reasonable in our requirements, +and even in our tempers, to those who +serve us.</p> + +<p>I know one lady who, when the smallest portion +of the household machinery went wrong, would fly +into a violent passion and say all sorts of unjust and +harsh things to the author of the mishap. Being, +like most hasty people, very generous, she would +next lavish gifts on those to whom conscience told +her she had been too severe. Her maids calculated +on this result, and one was heard to say that she +enjoyed a ‘flare-up’ with the mistress. Her temper +was soon up, but as soon over. It was worth while +to put up with it quietly, ‘it paid so well in the +end.’</p> + +<p>‘Be just and equal.’ A short sentence, but how +much it says! Give praise heartily where it is fairly +earned. Be equally just in pointing out what is +wrong, and firm in enforcing obedience, but do it in +a reasonable way—not in the heat of passion or in +the presence of others, but so as to convince your +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>servants that you know both your own place and +their duty.</p> + +<p>Young wives, who in their early married life are +often much alone, sometimes make the mistake of +first being over-confidential and familiar, and then of +going into the opposite extreme. They have fault-finding +fits, and the damsel who has been treated +as a friend and <i>confidante</i> on one day cannot understand +why her girl-mistress should on the next be +sharp in speech and distant in manner. If we mistresses +wish to be respected, we must, as I have said, +be equal in temper, reasonable in our requirements, +and just in our judgments.</p> + +<p>I have alluded to the giving of hasty notices by +servants, and suggested how these should act if they +feel they are likely to throw away a good place, and +are sorry for it. As a mistress, I would not advise +another to ask a girl to withdraw a notice given in +a fit of temper. However valuable her services +might be, she had better be allowed to go unless +she herself asks to stay, and owns that she has been +wrong.</p> + +<p>Were the mistress to ask the servant, the latter +would probably get it into her head that she was +too valuable to be spared, and the notice would be +repeated whenever she was found fault with, until a +separation became inevitable. Reasonable Christian +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span>girls have too much common sense and right feeling +to act in this foolish manner.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, if the mistress has been the +one to give a hasty warning, and conscience tells her +that she has acted on impulse and without a fair +consideration of the grievance, I do not think she +would lessen herself, or lose the respect of her +servant, by frankly saying so, and asking the latter +to remain. A good servant would show no foolish +triumph, and would give herself no airs. On the +contrary, she would manifest her sense of her mistress’s +fairness by extra gentleness of speech and +manners.</p> + +<p>It is good alike for mistress and maid, for the +mother of the family, and the young people, down +to the little one who is only able to lisp out his +request, to practise always and under the home-roof +the same politeness that we take with us into the +outer world.</p> + +<p>There is an old saying, that ‘No man is a hero +to his valet.’ The meaning is plain. The outside +world too often gets the best side of us all. At +home, we give way to little tempers, use hasty words, +and act towards those whom we profess to love best +as we would not do in the presence of strangers. +Sometimes the mistress who is admired and sought +after, the girls who are called charming in society, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span>even the little children who have two sets of manners, +one for home and the other for company use, have +different verdicts passed upon them by those who +serve in the house.</p> + +<p>‘She’s no lady, or she wouldn’t speak to a servant +worse than to a dog,’ is not an uncommon expression +with regard to a mistress. Or, ‘If some of these +fine young gentlemen could see our pretty young +miss in one of her tempers, she wouldn’t be so run +after,’ etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Dear young mistresses, dear girls who look forward +to being such, let me give you a hint or two. Be +loving, kind, considerate, courteous, sympathetic, +thoughtful for others, careful not to wound the +feelings of those who dwell under the same roof with +you. <i>Practise true politeness there, every day and to +every one with whom you have to do.</i> Teach it to +the little children, both by precept and example, and +you will be doing them an inestimable service and +yourselves also. That which is learned in childhood +abides. That which is in hourly use is not likely to +be forgotten. Those who are loved for their own +sakes in the home, and whose manners are admired +there, are certain to win love and to be charming +when outside that hallowed circle and under other +roofs.</p> + +<p>It is next to impossible for a servant to treat a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>mistress rudely if the latter carries her own politeness +and good manners with her wherever she goes. And +the real daughters of the family will lose no dignity, +but gain much love, if they, too, thoughtfully strive +to lighten the work of servants by giving no needless +trouble—if, thankfully remembering the goodness of +God in giving them many advantages of education +and surroundings not possessed by their toiling +sisters of the household, they try to make the lot +of these brighter and happier. They may do this +by kindly consideration, feminine sympathy, pleasant +words and looks, by imparting useful information, +by lending suitable books; by acting in accordance +with the spirit and teaching of our Divine Lord +and Master; in short, by obeying His command, +‘Love one another.’ ‘Whatsoever ye would +that men should do to you, do ye even so to +them.’</p> + +<p>We must show that we do not wish to exact all, +and give nothing. We must manifest an interest +in our servants, and in those near and dear to them. +We must give a tender, womanly thought to the +little, lonely lassie who, having come to her first +place, is frightened at the sight of so many strangers, +and yearns for the familiar faces she has left +behind.</p> + +<p>Our responsibilities extend beyond the threshold. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span>If a mistress is a mother also, surely the thought of +her own daughters will make her anxious to preserve +every girl from what is impure or morally injurious. +The young mistresses, in their turn, will feel anxious +for the well-being of their domestics, and will strive +to guard them from all evil influences, as they +themselves have been guarded in their girlhoods’ +homes.</p> + +<p>We mistresses, each and all, should assure ourselves +that our girls pass their Sundays as God’s +children should spend His day. We should give +them opportunities of enjoying the fresh air, which +is as needful for their health as for our own. But +if the girls are at a distance from their own homes +and friends, we should ascertain what associates +they have, and where and how a holiday is likely +to be spent. We shall feel that it is our bounden +duty to guard from contaminating influences these +girls—the daughters of other mothers, who have been +intrusted to our care, as well as to work for us and +under our rule.</p> + +<p>We shall encourage them to consult us in seasons +of doubt, difficulty, or temptation. We shall help +them to decide on taking the right course, and +cheer and strengthen them in their efforts to resist +evil.</p> + +<p>We, too, shall have our reward; though we work +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>not with any thought of benefit to ourselves, but with +a single-hearted desire to do good to others. There +are certain tasks and duties the performance of which +can be bargained for, certain work that can be paid +for in current coin of the realm. But there are +numberless services, labours of love, which we cannot +demand and money cannot buy. In such as these +we shall reap an abundant harvest.</p> + +<p>There is another matter in which we should be just +and equal; namely, in the giving of characters. +Alike for the sake of the servant herself and the +future mistress, we should be equally frank and +impartial. Few mistresses willingly give the worst +side of a servant’s character. There is always the +feeling that a girl’s bread depends on her obtaining +a situation, and that ill-success may drive her to +evil courses. So, whilst no untruth is told, the whole +truth certainly is not. All that can be said for the +departing servant is said, the damaging circumstances +are glossed over or wholly suppressed, and +perhaps the lady comforts herself with the thought +that she has done a kind act.</p> + +<p>Some much-pressed house-mother takes the girl. +She has probably been unsuccessful in obtaining one, +and the domestic emergency is great. Too soon she +finds out how one-sided was the character given—out +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span>of kindness, or from fear of consequences it +may be—and she feels that she has been cruelly +deceived.</p> + +<p>Ah, these half-truths! What mischief they do! +I have always felt the importance of being just and +equal in this respect, and that I owed a duty to the +mistress in search of a servant, as much as to the +girl in want of a place. ‘The truth, the whole truth, +and nothing but the truth,’ should be our motto in +character-giving.</p> + +<p>That one and only bad servant I ever had would +never have crossed our threshold but for the written +character sent by her then mistress. When, after a +few weeks of bitter experience, I came to analyse +it, I wondered that I could have been deceived by +such evasive answers to my queries, such self-evident +half-truths.</p> + +<p>That very servant, finding that no one would +engage her, after an interview with me, wrote one of +the most remarkable letters it was ever my lot to +receive. Without for a moment professing regret +for her wrong-doing, or a desire and determination +to amend, she asked me to tell a falsehood in order +to hide her untruthfulness and dishonesty, and obtain +for her another place in which to resume her career +of wickedness. What I did was to visit the different +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span>register offices at which she had entered her name, +and warn those who kept them not to send to me +for a character, as I would only tell the truth, +and this would prevent any lady from engaging +her.</p> + +<p>Occasionally one finds that an employer will give +a tolerably favourable character, but accompany her +words with looks and manner which seem to say, +‘I could tell more if I chose, but I will not;’ or will +merely state that the servant herself gave notice, and +left by her own wish. This is neither fair to employer +nor servant. A girl may have many excellent +qualities, yet not prove equal to the duties she has +undertaken. In such a case, I should, were I her +mistress, look round for a vacant niche which she +was likely to fill, and help her to obtain it. I +have done so more than once with most satisfactory +results. But I would never allow an inquiring +mistress to be deceived, or to take into +her house the seeds of trouble in the shape of an +untruthful or impure-minded girl, for lack, on +my part, of courage to speak of such a one as she +is.</p> + +<p>Let us, by all means, help the fallen to rise again, +and stretch out the hand of love and pity to the +penitent. But let us, mistresses, young and old, be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span>true to others and to ourselves, and not show our +compassion by concealing the truth, or help the +wrong-doer to obtain a place by sacrificing the peace +of our neighbour’s household.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII"> + CHAPTER VIII. + <br> + <small>DRESS—VISITORS AND SYMPATHY IN CHRISTIAN + WORK.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap8.png" width="43" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">Formerly</span>, there was such a decided difference +between the dress of mistress and maid that +there was no mistaking the one for the other. +Now, much greater latitude is permitted; and it is +sometimes said that, if we wish to distinguish the +mistress, we must look for the more plainly dressed of +the two when the maid is also present. Some ladies +do not interfere in the matter so long as their domestics +dress quietly and neatly when on duty.</p> + +<p>Without going far into the question, let me give +you a little advice on the subject. It will be just the +same as I would offer to my own children or to any +other girl who might wish for it. Regulate the +amount you spend by your actual requirements. Do +not spend all you can upon dress just because you +have the money. Remember there are other ways +in which your spare wages may be wisely and well +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span>laid out or laid by. I say laid by, because, whatever +be your income, you should try to save something +out of it for the proverbial rainy day. There are +plenty of ways by which thrifty people may save and +invest even very small sums, and by a penny at a +time, if they can afford no more.</p> + +<p>For instance, the post office will supply you with a +form on which you can stick a new postage stamp, +bought with a spare penny. When twelve stamps +have thus been affixed, you can take them to the +post office, receive back their value in the shape of +a shilling, and make that your first deposit in the +savings bank there. Make a beginning, and you are +almost sure to go on. If you can spare a shilling at +a time, you need not buy stamps, but become a +savings bank depositor at once.</p> + +<p>It is a pleasant thing to have a little money, your +own honest earnings, to fall back upon if sickness +should come or you are out of place. Or you may +help the good father and mother to whom you owe +so much, or, if they do not need it, in due time spend +your earnings on furnishing your future home. Which +of us at some time has not known a girl who, having +spent all her means on ‘fine feathers,’ has had to be +a burden on hard-working parents in such seasons of +trouble as come with sickness or want of employment?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span></p> + +<p>Then, beside laying by money, you should have +some to lend or lay out in our Master’s service. +Because you are young girls in situations, are you to +have no share in Christian work, to do nothing for +love of that dear Saviour who gave His life for you? +You would be very angry indeed if any one were to +say that you should have neither part nor lot in sending +missionaries to the heathen, at home and abroad, +in spreading the written Word of God, so that all +may possess a copy, or in caring for the sick and +suffering in homes and hospitals.</p> + +<p>My own experience shows me that many amongst +you give almost beyond your means, and contribute +nobly and lovingly to many a good work. If some +have not done so, they will, I trust, take this reminder +in good part, and spare a trifle, remembering that +most of our great societies owe more to the small +contributions of the many than to the larger ones of +the few.</p> + +<p>Going back to the subject of dress, let me advise +you to choose quiet colours and as good a material +as you can afford. Such will never become conspicuous, +they will wear double the time, look well +to the last bit, and cost no more for making than +the commonest stuff you could purchase; so there +would be a real saving, to begin with, in this last +item.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span></p> + +<p>Have your gowns made well, but in a simple style. +There is no reason why you should not display +excellent taste in this matter. But good taste never +chooses staring colours or extreme styles which are +likely to attract notice and encourage rude remarks +on the <i>fast</i> appearance of the wearer. Good taste +never loads poor materials with tawdry trimmings, +which only make a dress look shabby the sooner, and +are equally costly and useless. Good taste and good +sense alike suggest that our clothing should be in +accordance with our means, and fitted for the work +we have to do and the position we occupy in the +world.</p> + +<p>The above rules apply equally to every article +worn. Never sacrifice the comfort of having a good +supply of warm, well-made underclothing, and of +being neatly and strongly shod, for the sake of mere +outside finery, such as you are perhaps half-ashamed +to wear, knowing that it is unsuitable, and wholly +afraid to be seen in by your hard-working, sensible +mother.</p> + +<p>Lastly, save the money to pay for what you buy +at the time when you get it. Those who have to run +into debt usually pay dearly for the accommodation, +and especially those who can least afford the extra +price. Tradesmen know quite well that they run +some risk in trusting young girls, who generally have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span>nothing but their wages to fall back upon, and whom +sickness might deprive of the power to earn any. +Extra risks must mean the putting on of extra +profits, and thus those who run into debt pay a +higher price for their articles than those who go +money in hand.</p> + +<p>Now a word about visitors. Some mistresses +draw a very hard-and-fast line on this subject, and +will allow none. Servants may visit their friends +at stated intervals, but they are forbidden to receive +even those nearest and dearest to them under the +roof which shelters themselves. Most mistresses, I +believe, act differently from this, and, considering +what their own children would feel if they were +amongst strangers, allow all reasonable liberty in +this respect. A right-minded girl will never abuse +this privilege, or try to introduce into the house of +her employers any person of whose presence they +would be likely to disapprove.</p> + +<p>Remember, it is your duty to fall in with the rules +of the household in which you serve, and employers +have often very good reasons for such as may appear +too strict in your eyes. In this, as in all your dealings, +act straightforwardly, and never bring in a +visitor by stealth, or in the absence of the family. +Many a robbery has been successfully carried out +through the folly of young servants who have listened +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span>to the flattering words of chance acquaintances +whose real object was to obtain a knowledge of the +premises, and to find out where the valuables were +kept. Through such visitors a servant’s character +has been lost, and a girl who would not have taken +a farthing dishonestly has been suspected of being +an accomplice of thieves, and punished as such.</p> + +<p>When visitors come by permission of the mistress, +I think the latter should always see them, say a few +words of kindly welcome, ask after the other members +of the absent family, and thus manifest her +interest in what gives pleasure to her maid. She +will not be the worse served for doing this, and for +showing that, amid her own household cares and +occupations, she has a heart large enough and warm +enough to sympathise with the joys and sorrows of +all around her.</p> + +<p>But there may be, and I trust there often is, a far +stronger bond of union between mistress and servant +than any which could result from the mere fact of +being placed in these relations one towards another. +It is not work well done and wages regularly paid—not +the mere ministering on the one hand and being +ministered to on the other—not the being members +of the same household band and dwelling under the +same roof, which can create this bond of union to +which I have alluded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p> + +<p>No, there is something better still. It is the recognition +of the great truth that, while there may be a +difference in our social positions and duties here, we +are alike servants of a Heavenly Master. If we are +both Christians we are sisters in Christ, members of +one body, and looking to one glorified Head, children +of the same family, with God Himself for our Father.</p> + +<p>Some years ago I read a brief extract from an +article which was published in one of the reviews—I +think the <i>Nineteenth Century</i>—and by a lady writer. +Though I never read the whole article, I remember +the little portion I did see, and how the author suggested +that we mistresses should give our servants +a share with ourselves in some special Christian +work, such as visiting and relieving the sick poor, +etc. She also stated her belief that no lady’s work +could have its full value unless united with such help, +and no relations with outside helpers could equal +those which might subsist between Christian mistress +and maid, living under one roof, knowing each +other’s weaknesses, and engaged in a work where +the one who in other respects was first might be last, +and the last first.</p> + +<p>I have no copy of the words, and do not profess to +quote them literally. But I remember the impression +they produced on my mind, because they agreed +not only with my own opinion, but with my practice +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span>and the experience of years. I read the words aloud +to a young girl who was at the moment preparing +the table for dinner, and, as I finished them, said,—</p> + +<p>‘We realized the truth of what this lady has +written a long time ago, did we not?’</p> + +<p>‘Yes, indeed,’ she said, her face glowing with +honest pleasure, for she was and is my willing and +capable helper in the conduct of a large mothers’ +meeting—entering heart and soul into the work, +respected and loved by the members of the class.</p> + +<p>And those who are at home whilst she and I are +at the class help also, for they take the share of work +which does not belong to their departments during +her absence. I am thankful to say that we never +hear any one of them say, ‘It is not my place,’ but +that they work together as members of a family, +and, above all, as God’s children.</p> + +<p>Years before, another girl who is now a happy +wife and mother, rendered me the same kind of +help at the class, and with equal interest and heartiness.</p> + +<p>Going further back still, there comes before my +mind’s eye the picture of a bright young face, that +of a housemaid then in our service. I was ailing +for some time and unable to go out on Sunday evenings; +and when it was this girl’s turn to stay in the +house, I always called her to sit with me, that we +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>might talk, read, and pray together. I do not +remember ever spending evenings at home with more +true pleasure and spiritual profit than these.</p> + +<p>The girl was such a bright Christian; and when +she began to speak of the way in which she had been +led to realize the great love of our Father, God, in +giving His dear Son to die for sinners, and of her +share in that finished work, I used to think her dear, +earnest face was one of the sweetest pictures that +my eyes ever rested upon.</p> + +<p>I never think of her without remembering the +happy seasons of truly Christian communion we +enjoyed, and offering a prayer that her influence in +her own home may always be an equally blessed and +useful one to what it was in ours. She would teach +our children sweet hymns, both words and tunes, and +it used to be delightful to hear her rich, full voice +mingling with their childish ones in songs of praise +to God.</p> + +<p>At that time a very dear friend, a clergyman, was +a frequent visitor at our house. None of our servants +attended his church, but he never crossed our threshold +without saying a few kind words to whichever +he happened to see. He would ask after their health +with the same courtesy that he manifested towards +the heads of the family, and contrive, in a few syllables, +to show them that he was ever solicitous to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span>leave a little message from his Divine Master, to sow +a little seed which might produce fruit to His glory, +and for the good of an immortal soul.</p> + +<p>How this was appreciated by our girls, and especially +by the dear lassie to whom I have alluded! +How she would try to repay the interest thus +manifested by the most thoughtful attentions that +she could show when waiting at table! The clergyman’s +health was failing at the time, and he was +ordered to winter abroad. On his return, the young +waitress was the first to see him approaching the +house, and, noticing that our dear friend was looking +weaker and more worn than when he left England, +she came to me sobbing and with her good, true face +expressing the deepest sorrow.</p> + +<p>I thought she must have received bad news from +home, but as soon as she could answer she explained +the cause of her tears. ‘It is not that,’ she said. +‘<i>They</i> are all well; but Mr. —— is coming up the +walk, and he is looking worse than ever. He is +stooping like quite an old man. I am so sorry, I am +so sorry. He is so kind and good.’ Some one else +had to answer the door to our friend, who, not seeing +the usual face, inquired after the girl. He was +deeply touched on finding that her tears and trouble +on his account had made her absolutely unable to +meet him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span></p> + +<p>During dinner, when the girl was in attendance, +it was pleasant to see the manner in which she +showed her grateful sympathy by anticipating the +clergyman’s slightest want, by offering a little dainty +dish in a sort of beseeching way, and venturing to +hint that it was ‘very nice,’ as she lingered a moment +to see if he would recall his first refusal.</p> + +<p>Our friend’s wan face lighted with a kindly smile +as he said, ‘I <i>must</i> taste this, as you say it is so +good;’ and he helped himself to a small portion, to +the girl’s great delight.</p> + +<p>Afterwards he spoke of this little incident, and of +the true sympathy with his weakness and suffering +which she manifested in every word and act.</p> + +<p>‘In these days,’ he said, ‘a kind of stony unconsciousness +is generally required in table attendants. +But for my part, I would rather have your bright-faced +waitress, whose countenance is perpetually +reflecting the quick sympathies of her true, warm +heart, than a whole regiment of well-drilled waiting +machines.’</p> + +<p>Do not imagine for an instant that this sympathy +in work and consequent familiar intercourse ever made +our servants less obedient or respectful. The contrary +was the case. Communion in Christian work, +life, and aim, whilst it will bring about frequent and +close familiar intercourse between mistress and maid, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span>would be the last thing in the world to engender the +sort of familiarity which ‘breeds contempt.’</p> + +<p>No. This kind of union will be productive of +mutual and ever-growing affection and respect, and +will alike tend to the well-being of the family itself, +and of all who are brought within the sphere of its +influence. Those who are Christ’s servants are +always more faithful to their earthly employers than +are any others. Those who, filling the place of +mistresses, most earnestly desire to serve the Lord, +are ever the most patient in dealing with others, +and most truly reasonable in their requirements.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX"> + CHAPTER IX. + <br> + <small>‘FOLLOWERS’—HELPS TO YOUNG SERVANTS—GIFTS + FROM VISITORS.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap9.png" width="52" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="hidden-chars upper-case">‘N</span><span class="upper-case">o</span> followers allowed.’ +</p> + +<p>These words form no unfrequent ending to +an advertisement in that column wherein the +wants of mistresses are specially set forth. The +expression is very comprehensive, and no doubt +intended to take in visitors of every class that might +be likely to inquire for a servant. But in most +minds the word ‘follower’ has its particular as well +as its general meaning, and one always associates +it with a masculine hanger-on.</p> + +<p>In a former chapter of this volume I said a few +words about general visitors, and what should be the +conduct both of mistresses and maids with regard to +them. Now we will consider the ‘follower’ who may +be trying to gain the affection of one of our servants, +or be actually engaged to her.</p> + +<p>We who are mothers know by experience how +deep is the interest excited throughout the whole +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>family by the engagement of a much-loved child, +especially that of a daughter. Perhaps it is even +greater than in the case of a son, though our boys +and girls are equally dear to us. But there is a +difference in the way we look at them when the time +comes for marrying and giving in marriage.</p> + +<p>Probably for years before our son takes such a +step he has been going in and out in the world, +playing the man’s part, and fighting its battles side +by side with other men. From protecting them as +she used to do, the gentle mother has learned to +look up to her stalwart sons as the ones on whom, +next to the father, she might herself lean. And +when one of her boys goes out from the old roof to +a home of his own, it is to take under his firm, but, +we trust, tender guardianship, the daughter of some +other loving mother. The son leaves father and +mother, and cleaves to the wife whom he is pledged +to protect, to comfort, to cherish, and to keep while +life lasts.</p> + +<p>But the daughter’s out-going is different. She +leaves the shelter of her old home, and the loving +arms of the parents whose tender foresight has +hitherto anticipated her wants and shielded her +from every blast of trouble or temptation that human +guardians have power to turn aside.</p> + +<p>The boy went out years ago, rejoicing in his youth +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span>and masculine strength, and proud to put it to the +proof. The girl, when she passes from the roof of +her parents to be mistress under that of a husband, +often goes out to act an independent part for the +first time in her life. Feeling doubtful as to her +perfect fitness for the solemn duties before her, she +looks back for counsel and guidance to the one who, +if a true mother, has ever been ready with both. +And the mother, if she is also a wise one, will advise +without interfering, and influence for good without +intruding on the almost sacred independence of her +child’s new position and the privacy of her home.</p> + +<p>Naturally, from the very instant that the daughter +is sought, the mother is on the alert to satisfy herself +as to the worthiness of him who seeks to win her +child. The subject is all-important, for it involves +the happiness or misery of her darling’s future life, +and, as a matter of sympathy, will seriously affect +her own. Should she believe the individual unworthy, +what efforts will she not make to shield her +child from the evil which would result from a connection +with him? If otherwise, how the mother’s +memory goes back to her own young days, and, in +the happiness of her daughter, lives them over again. +Her heart expands to take in another son, her mind +is full of plans on behalf of her darling, and she +rejoices over her and with her with exceeding joy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> + +<p>Why have I written all this about mother and +daughter, and of the days when the girl is sought, +wooed, and won? What has this to do with the +little maid in the kitchen, or the neat-handed Phillis +who waits so deftly at table, and who, while constrained +to look unconscious, is very wide awake as +to what is going on, and, for reasons of her own, +very full of sympathy? Why? Because surely the +mother whose interest in her own daughter’s welfare +is so deep and absorbing, should have a little care +and sympathy and interest to spare for her young +kitchen-maid or pretty waiting damsel, whose circumstances +are in some respects similar to those of +her darling girl.</p> + +<p>These have had to leave their mothers very early +in life. Often when they are still children, barely in +their teens, the young creatures have begun breadwinning, +and learned to shift and act for themselves +when they most needed the mother’s eye to watch +over them, and the wise word which might have +kept many a wanderer from straying into dangerous +paths. Surely, when we take these girls to be +members of our households, we should try not only +to guard the safety of our homes, but the safety and +purity of these daughters of far-away mothers.</p> + +<p>The rule, ‘No followers allowed,’ carried out with +rigid particularity, may preserve our houses from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>idle or dangerous intruders; but, on the other +hand, it throws our young servants more into the +power of worthless and dissolute young men, who +seek their company with no good intentions towards +them. Sometimes, perhaps, such followers may +only want to while away an idle hour in the company +of a bright girl with a pretty face, and the +girl may think no harm can result from merely +talking to, or walking out with, one of whom she +knows almost nothing, and whose acquaintance she +has made in the street.</p> + +<p>But the end of such intercourse is often very sad, +too sad to say much about in these pages. Often +the young, ignorant country girl, new to town service +and city ways, is induced to accompany her ‘follower’ +to some objectionable place of amusement. She +stays out later than the appointed hour for her +return, and gets into disgrace with her employers, +who threaten dismissal should the offence be repeated.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the ‘follower’ next waylays the girl as +she is going on an errand, hears the story of her +mistress’s displeasure, laughs at it, and encourages +the foolish young thing to ‘give it her back.’ The +girl believes what she is told, that she can get as +good a place any day, for there are more places +than servants to fill them. She likes the flattery +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span>which praises her pretty face, and carries out the +evil counsel of the wily tongue.</p> + +<p>Again the mistress has to chide her for her lagging +steps, having been kept waiting whilst her young +messenger spent her time in gossip. The lady has +cause for complaint, and the girl knows it. But +she has been incited to rudeness and rebellion, and +instead of expressing regret, or promising amendment, +she is saucy and defiant at first, then sullen +and disobedient. So begins the trouble which too +often ends in loss of place and character to the girl +herself, and of life-long sorrow to the mother in her +country home.</p> + +<p>This is one instance where a little motherly oversight +and a few wise words spoken kindly and in +season might have saved a young life from blight +and sorrow. I say might, I dare not say would, +because there are girls who are too headstrong to +permit the interference of a mistress in matters with +which they consider she has nothing to do.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the mistress is too much put out by the +girl’s conduct to take this trouble. She sees her +wilful, pert, or sullen, and concludes to let her take +her own way, saying to herself, ‘She will rue it +before long. She will have to pay for her folly and +impertinence, and wish too late that she had valued +the home she now enjoys under this roof.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> + +<p>Dear mistresses, let me plead with you on behalf +of these wilful young creatures who rush headlong +into the society and the paths which cannot tend to +good. Do not let their folly influence you to loose +even the weak hold you may have upon them, +without an effort to save them from themselves. +‘Be not overcome of evil,’ but strive ‘to overcome +evil with good.’ You are older, have greater experience, +and should also have more self-control. +So conquer the inclination to be angry, though you +may be justly displeased. Think of your own young +days, when you had, and most likely needed, constant +oversight, patience, and forbearance from a +tender mother. Think how you were guarded all +round from the risks which your young handmaiden, +so early sent out into the world, has to encounter +at every step of her way, and how in turn you guard +your own more favoured children from the chance +of temptation. And thinking of all these things, +lay a kind hand upon the girl’s shoulder. Look +into her face with an expression on yours which +shall tell her that it is because her well-being is dear +to you that you seek her confidence, and desire to +restrain her steps and influence her in the choice of +her companions.</p> + +<p>If you succeed in convincing the girl of your +anxiety for her real good, and save her from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span>probable consequences of her giddiness and folly, +she will bless you, and most likely repay you by +future faithful service. And if not, you will have +done what you could; and while you may grieve +over your ill success, conscience will approve, and +the effort that sprang from a loving motherly heart +will not be forgotten by the Master you have striven +to obey and imitate.</p> + +<p>As your true friend, dear girls, let me urge you +to receive in a right spirit the advice of your employers, +even in things which you, perhaps, think +outside their province. The daughter, though out +of a mother’s sight, would not say that she was for +that reason freed from a mother’s authority. If, +therefore, a mistress interests herself in your well-being +when you are outside the home, is desirous +that your companions should be of the right kind, +and inquires especially into the character, conduct, +and prospects of any one who may seek you for a +wife, be thankful. Do not think that she does it +out of a prying spirit or to serve any selfish end. +Remember, it is just what she has done in the case +of her own child, and rejoice that she cares enough +for you to be anxious, not only for your present +comfort, but for your life-long happiness.</p> + +<p>Mistresses should encourage, and servants should +practise, perfect openness with regard to ‘followers’ +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span>or engagements. Yet there are faults on both sides, +faults of concealment and of selfishness which ought +not to exist.</p> + +<p>For instance, a young girl engaged herself as +parlour-maid to a lady who was accustomed to keep +her servants a long time and to be most considerate +in her treatment of them. This girl went with an +excellent character. She had given up her place +only because her late employers were removing to +a distance, and she did not wish to leave the neighbourhood. +Her parents’ home was near, and this +seemed quite a sufficient reason why she did not +choose to quit it.</p> + +<p>The girl’s conduct fully justified the character +given, and the lady congratulated herself on having +so easily filled the vacancy caused by the marriage +of a much-valued servant. At the end of two +months, she was amazed at receiving the usual +notice from Hannah that she was about to give up +her place.</p> + +<p>‘Leave in a month!’ said the lady. ‘You cannot +mean it. You are only just settled, as it were, and +I am thoroughly satisfied with the way in which you +do your work. I looked forward to keeping you +for years. What is your reason for wishing to go?’</p> + +<p>The girl hesitated, blushed, and at last owned +that she was going to be married at the month’s end.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span></p> + +<p>Thinking that Hannah must have entered into +the engagement very suddenly, the lady asked her +if she were well acquainted with the character of +the man to whom she was so soon to be united.</p> + +<p>‘Oh dear, yes, ma’am,’ replied Hannah cheerfully. +‘We went to school together when we were quite +little children. We have been engaged five years. +It was because he lived here, and we were going to +be married so soon, that I would not leave this +neighbourhood. I wanted to see to things for our +house, and to help George to choose what was +wanted. I couldn’t have done that if I had been +at a distance, so I took your place just for the three +months, as I didn’t want to be idle or lose that much +<span id="of_wages">of wages</span>.’</p> + +<p>The lady was justly annoyed at the girl’s selfishness, +and said, ‘You ought to have been frank with +me, Hannah, and told me exactly how you were +situated. I little thought, as you went about doing +your duties so well, that all the while you were +simply making a convenience of me and my place +to suit your own.’</p> + +<p>Hannah looked a little ashamed, but, I am afraid, +was better satisfied at having gained her end than +sorry for the annoyance caused to an excellent +mistress.</p> + +<p>Another instance of selfishness which came under +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span>my notice was on the mistress’s side. Her children’s +nurse, who had been most devoted to her young +charges, and stayed several years in her place, +gave notice to leave. She, too, was going to be +married.</p> + +<p>‘How very tiresome!’ said the mistress, with a +look of annoyance and without one sympathetic +word. ‘I never thought you would leave us. But +it is always the way with you servants. You never +think of the inconvenience a change may cause, and +specially in the nursery. There is Harry, poor child! +you know he is so used to you that he will not even +let me attend to him. I wonder you have the heart +to leave him.’</p> + +<p>And the lady left the nursery with an injured +look, to pour out her grievances in the ear of her +husband.</p> + +<p>The nurse had been allowed no chance of reply, +or she could have told that love for the invalid boy +had induced her to put off her marriage for a year, +in order that she might watch him through a critical +period. That her devotion to Harry had supplied +the maternal care the boy needed, but would never +have received from the selfish mother, who would +say, ‘I trust you thoroughly, Jephson.’ Then, with +scarcely a glance at her boy’s face, she would leave +him to the care of the faithful nurse, whilst her +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span>evenings were spent amid gay scenes and under +other roofs than her own.</p> + +<p>No wonder that Jephson felt bitterly the selfishness +and want of sympathy in her butterfly mistress, +and left that house and the children she had tended +with a sore heart and a sense of injustice.</p> + +<p>‘After the way I was treated, I could not have +said another word about my own affairs for the +world,’ she remarked. ‘I just stayed my time, did my +work same as usual, held my tongue, and left when +the day came. And the mistress sent my wages to +me, and never came near to say “good-bye,” or “I +wish you well, Jephson.” It was hard to leave Master +Harry, bless him! and I don’t suppose his mamma +will let him be brought to see me. But I could not +go to that house again, even for the child’s sake, +though I had lived so many years there.’</p> + +<p>No wonder that even love for her nursling was +insufficient to conquer the faithful woman’s sense of +his mother’s selfishness. In this case the servant +would have been only too glad to make her mistress +fully acquainted with her position. But, while the +lady trusted the servant with the care of her children, +she neither felt nor manifested any interest in the +person who had so long relieved her conscience of +a sense of motherly responsibility towards her invalid +boy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p> + +<p>I turn gladly from the last-quoted instances of +selfishness in both mistress and maid, to recall +much more agreeable pictures. I have pleasant +memories of good and modest girls, who gladly +appealed to the older and wiser heads of those they +served, for the advice these were willing to give. +Memories, too, of employers who, having first made +careful inquiries into the characters of their servants’ +suitors, and satisfied themselves of their respectability, +have given them the privileges of seeing the +girls at home, at reasonable times and intervals.</p> + +<p>Surely this is the best way of protecting our +young servants from becoming a prey to the +influence of bad or merely idle hangers-on, whose +acquaintance could not possibly be beneficial. For, +consider, it is no more unsuitable for our servants +to look forward to marriage, as a woman’s natural +vocation, and a fitting end to service, than for our +daughters to expect that they will be wives and +mothers in their turn. Should we like our own girls +to meet their lovers or affianced husbands in the +streets, or in the houses of persons other than parents, +and who have no power to influence them in any +way?</p> + +<p>If our servants have parents living in the neighbourhood, +the responsibility naturally rests upon +them. If not, a mistress can scarcely rid herself of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>it, with respect to the young girls in her service. I +acknowledge that there are many drawbacks to the +admission of the servant’s suitor to the master’s roof. +One is often found in the shyness of a kindly, true-hearted +young fellow himself, who means nothing +but what is honourable and right to the girl who has +won his affections. He has, perhaps, never crossed +the threshold of such a house as she inhabits, and he +fears that he should feel very bashful and awkward, +especially in the presence of her fellow-servants.</p> + +<p>As a rule, the girl’s manners are superior to those +of her suitor. She may have come from a home +like his own, and be the less educated of the two, +and yet he is sensible of a difference vastly in her +favour, because daily contact with persons of superior +learning, position, and refinement has effected a great +improvement in her speech and manners. So he is +often the one to shrink from subjecting his country +ways to the scrutiny of city eyes.</p> + +<p>Again, as the kitchen is common ground for all +the servants, there is often a difficulty about the +apartment in which a girl may see her visitor. All +such matters are for separate consideration, and +fellow-servants may act with kindly sympathy and +true delicacy towards each other under such circumstances.</p> + +<p>I have seen difficulties overcome, opportunities a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span>little out of the common afforded for the young +people to meet respectably. Even an occasional +avoidance of a portion of the grounds by the family +has given Robert an opportunity of enjoying a pleasant +stroll with Mary, or an hour of blissful quiet +beneath the friendly shelter of the little summer-house, +whilst the girl was actually within call the +whole time.</p> + +<p>I have seen mistress and maid go out together +when the latter was about to begin housekeeping, +that the former might give her the benefit of her +greater experience in making purchases for the future +home. I well remember one girl who said, ‘My bit +of money would not have gone nearly so far, if it had +not been for my mistress’s kind advice. I had never +bought things for a house before, and I should have +thought more about looks than service in my purchases. +But she knew all about the quality and +what would suit best, and she was so careful to see +that I got my money’s worth. I don’t know how to +thank her.’</p> + +<p>Was not this a pleasant experience both for mistress +and maid? Was the lady less honoured for her +womanly and motherly conduct by the rest of her +domestics? Or did she receive less willing service, +because she had devoted a portion of time to promote +the comfort of the girl after she had passed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span>from under her roof? Assuredly not. Every act +that shows recognition of one common humanity, +and sympathy with its best and holiest feelings, not +only diffuses happiness, but brings it to ourselves, +and wins for us more hearty service.</p> + +<p>I never like to turn from a pleasant picture to an +ugly one, but I feel bound to give both sides. The +rigid rule, ‘No followers allowed,’ is very often made +and enforced, because the confidence of employers +has been abused and kindness encroached upon. +Trustworthy domestics pay penalty for the faults of +others; and those who think the rule too severe, and +are too upright to attempt evasion, will not take +service where it is in operation.</p> + +<p>I knew one young girl who applied for a situation, +and was told by the mistress that no servants’ visitor, +male or female, was ever allowed under her roof. +‘Then I need not trouble you any further, ma’am,’ +said the girl very respectfully. ‘I have been engaged +for three years to a young man whose character will +bear looking into. We cannot marry for years to +come, unless some change should take place, for he +has a widowed mother to help, and two of her boys +are not old enough to earn anything yet. But I am +going to wait for him, if it be for ten years more. In +my last place, James was allowed to come and see +me at suitable times. He wanted nothing else, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span>he never had a crumb in the house except the lady +herself wished him to stay to a meal, and asked him. +My own parents live a long way off, and James’s +mother too far for me to go to her house. He must +come to me, and I have too much respect for him +and myself to have a meeting-place, like many girls +do.’</p> + +<p>‘What do you mean by a meeting-place?’ asked +the lady, interested by the girl’s frank words and +honest face.</p> + +<p>‘You know, ma’am, that young people may meet +in the street, but they can’t stop there in all +weathers, they must be under cover; and if they +have no proper friends, they perhaps go to a public-house, +or some place of amusement. It must be a +cheap one, as they cannot afford to spend much +money, and sometimes it is not a very good one, +either for young men or girls. But what else is +there? Well, some woman—maybe your charwoman, +or laundress, or greengrocer’s wife—lets the young +people have a place to sit and talk in, and they pay +her for it, often enough with food or odds and ends +that belong to their mistress.’</p> + +<p>The lady reflected for a moment. She remembered +instances of mysterious disappearances and +extravagances which could never be accounted for, +and then began to ask herself whether it might not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>be worth her while to relax the rule about visitors. +She had taken servants before, who professed to +agree to everything and promised everything; but +the result had been deceit and frequent changes. +Here was this girl, who brought a good character, +whose honest face commended her at once, but who +would not promise observance of the rule, ‘No +followers allowed.’ Surely she would be better +worth having than many plausible but unreliable +applicants for the place, who professed to look +shocked at the very suggestion of male visitors.</p> + +<p>‘I think I will see your late mistress,’ she said; +‘and if I find that you have never abused the liberty +she allowed, I may give the same.’ The girl’s face +brightened, as she replied,—</p> + +<p>‘I shall be very glad, ma’am. You will find I +have told you the truth. I should not be seeking a +new place, but my mistress is giving up her own +house to live with two unmarried sons at a distance.’</p> + +<p>Inquiry satisfied the lady, and she engaged the +girl, who years afterwards married from the house, +and carried with her to her new home many marks +of goodwill from her employers.</p> + +<p>In the matter of ‘followers’ I do not for a moment +presume to say that one rule could possibly apply in +all cases. I merely give real instances and experiences, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>and leave mistresses and maids to act and +judge for themselves. Only to the former I would +say again, ‘Remember your own young days. Think +of your own daughters, and, as you would lead them +aright and shield them from evil, strive to advise and +influence your servants. Not by continual preaching. +Say the word in season, and say it in such a manner +that the girls may be convinced that you speak from +a real desire to benefit them, not yourselves.’</p> + +<p>And, dear girls, be true. Do not make promises +for the sake of securing a place, when you never +intend to keep them. But if the rules of a house +are such as you could not conform to, follow the +example of the girl I have told you about. Explain +your position candidly and respectfully, and leave +the lady to decide whether it is worth her while to +relax a rule in favour of you or not.</p> + +<p>I might suggest one or two safeguards to young +girls fresh from the country. Many of you have +been Sunday scholars, and some would like to continue +such, were the opportunity allowed you. Ask +for it, and probably you will find that mistresses will +make a little sacrifice, in order to promote what +must tend to their servants’ benefit. If girls of their +own accord ask for continued opportunities of instruction +in God’s Word, and prefer the Sunday-school +or adult Bible-class to the streets when it is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span>their day out, I think most mistresses would gladly +encourage such a preference.</p> + +<p>Young Welsh girls, in particular, will often +sacrifice something in order to be near a place of +worship where service is conducted in their native +tongue, and they show how they value the Sunday-school +by continuing as scholars years after the +usual age of leaving. Since those whom they meet +must have similar tastes, this fact secures for them +the kind of associates that Christian employers would +choose for their servants.</p> + +<p>The Girls’ Friendly Society (see No. 168 of <i>The +Girls’ Own Paper</i>) offers great advantages to such +as are at a distance from home and friends. It is +for the benefit of young persons in business, mill-hands, +and even workhouse girls, as well as domestic +servants; and I would advise all who are eligible +to join it. It is for young people of all religious +denominations.</p> + +<p>Above all other guides and helpers, however, let +me impress upon you, dear girls, the importance of +seeking the aid of the Holy Spirit at every step of +your way. If there is one act which is all-important, +surely it is that which links your fate and your +future life with that of a partner who must be yours +for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness +and in health. Do not, then, begin an acquaintance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span>without considering the end, and asking yourself +whether it will tend to your spiritual good; whether +it will merely give you a husband, or unite you to +one who will walk with you on the narrow path +that leads to everlasting life, will strengthen your +steps, and help you, day by day, to love God more +and serve Him better. Marriage is either the best +and holiest of earthly ties, or it differs widely from +what our loving Father in heaven meant it to be.</p> + +<p>May all who read these chapters be kept from +entering on such solemn obligations without earnest +thought and prayer, and, whatever be the worldly +advantages, may they only contract such marriages +as they feel that God will indeed own and bless!</p> + +<p>I have been much touched by the conduct of +girls, themselves quite young, towards the still +younger sisters left in the old home. The eldest +of a family who gets a situation and does well, +frequently sends for her sisters in turn, and helps +them to obtain employment. Sometimes a first +place has not been a success, or the younger girl +has not had sufficient experience to fill it properly, +and leaves after a brief term of service. Then the +elder has a painful sense of responsibility, lest the +young one should come to harm. I have known +mere girls watch over such juniors with a tender +care exceeding that of some mothers. Sometimes, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span>they have deprived themselves of really needed +articles to help out the new-comer’s wardrobe; they +have paid for decent lodgings for her, and even +undertaken to settle the doctor’s bill in a case of +sickness.</p> + +<p>I once remonstrated with a young girl about doing +too much, as I feared that her sister did not appreciate +her self-denial. ‘Had you not better send her +home again?’ I said. Tears came into the girl’s +eyes as she said, ‘There are so many of them at +home, and I brought her here to relieve father and +mother. I will not send her back to them if I can +help it.’ I admired the self-devoting goodness of +this dear girl, and rejoiced with her when she at +length saw her young sister in a good place and +under the wise supervision of an excellent mistress.</p> + +<p>In such a case as the above, a lady might render +a real service to a good servant by allowing a young +sister to spend a few days in her house, whilst on the +look-out for a fitting situation. A mistress might +also assist her servants to save out of their wages +by allowing a sewing maid to cut out a bodice +pattern, and show a girl how to put the parts of a +plain frock together.</p> + +<p>I have been urged to add a few words on the +subject of visitors’ presents, or I scarcely think I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span>should do so. The word ‘vails’ is little used now, +but it was common enough when I was a girl +amongst people older than myself. I cannot tell +why it was applied in such a manner, but, as ‘to +vail’ or ‘veil’ means to hide, I think the name +must have been given to visitors’ presents, because +the money was generally slipped quietly from hand +to hand, so that no bystander would see the coin +in its passage. We use a much less pretty word +now, and speak of giving ‘tips’ to porters at railway +stations, or any persons whom we wish to receive +recompense for personal service.</p> + +<p>I would first say a word on this subject to servants. +When you are engaged, it is an understood +thing that visitors under your employers’ roof shall +receive during their stay all the attention that would +be expected were they members of the family. They +are such for the time, and as the master and mistress +generally show particular anxiety for the comfort +of the guests, the right-minded, unselfish servant +will do the same. She, too, will be extra attentive, +if she only realizes that she is a member of the +family herself, and should act as entering into the +feelings of those who fill the highest places in the +common home. And if it should happen that in +the end she receives no gift from the parting guest, +surely she will not feel quite unrewarded? She will +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span>have pleased her employers, done as she would be +done by when under a roof not her own, and added +much to the comfort of the temporary sojourner.</p> + +<p>I do not for a moment intend to suggest what +amounts should be given, or to which servants, when +presents are made. But it often happens that, when +leaving, a visitor only sees one servant, yet feels +that more have contributed to her comfort. Perhaps +she does not like to ask for the others, or they are +so engaged that she cannot see them, and she gives +the amount she intended to divide to the one only, +without expressing any wish as to its being shared +with the rest.</p> + +<p>Under such circumstances, whilst no one could +deny a servant’s right to keep what was given, I do +think that a conscientious, unselfish girl would share +it with such other members of the household as she +knew had shared the extra work caused by the +presence of visitors.</p> + +<p>It is quite a different matter where unusual services +have been rendered by one above the rest, or +in cases of illness, where the attendance has quite +exceeded that to be expected under ordinary circumstances.</p> + +<p>I can say, with true pleasure, that I have often +seen these extra services rendered with such single-hearted +kindness, such self-forgetfulness and devotion, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span>that no one could imagine the thought of fee +or reward to be associated with them.</p> + +<p>And I have also seen a miserable spirit of jealousy +amongst fellow-servants at any little preference +shown, even when the recipient had well merited it +by her thoughtful attentions. I have seen kitchen +servants come forward when a visitor was leaving, +and ostentatiously profess to help with the luggage, +when any one could see that such aid was not necessary. +I have noticed others push to the front, and +give some little, quite needless, touch to a visitor’s +wrap, in order to attract attention and gain a coveted +‘tip.’</p> + +<p>These are little meannesses, dear girls, against +which I would warn any who may be guilty of them, +and say: ‘Act fairly and unselfishly to each other +when you receive gifts. Render service as if you +found a pleasure in making all around you comfortable, +and not as if your eye were directed towards +the possible “tip” whilst the hand ministered to the +visitors’ wants.’</p> + +<p>I have delightful memories of very different conduct: +of smiling faces, feet quick to run, and willing +hands; hands, too, that, instead of being eagerly +outstretched to receive, have shrunk from receiving, +and kindly tongues which have said, as if they meant +it, ‘Indeed, ma’am, I don’t desire anything. It has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>been a real pleasure to do anything for you, and I +hope I shall soon have it again.’</p> + +<p>Sometimes, however, servants can hardly have +such a feeling towards guests, because they do not +act so as to deserve it. If servants can display little +meannesses, so do those who ought to set them a +better example. They will not only receive, but +exact, many extra attentions; and when the time +comes to say ‘good-bye’ to their entertainers, they +will not notice those who have ministered to their +comfort, or even give what costs nothing—a word +of thanks.</p> + +<p>Now I hold that a true lady will show her good +breeding all round, and that a true Christian will +show consideration for the feelings of all with whom +she has to do. When she is leaving a place, she +will say a farewell word to the servants; and in +bestowing her present, whether little or much, she +will add to it the thanks for kind attentions which +by a right-minded girl will be valued more than +the money. Even if the parting guest’s circumstances +are such that she is unable to bestow money, +do not let her on that account omit the thanks +which show that she appreciates and is grateful +for attentions received. By such neglect she would +give pain, and probably be set down as ‘no lady;’ +not because of her want of money, but of the kindly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>courtesy which is equally becoming to those of high +and low degree.</p> + +<p>Servants should also remember that a small parting +gift is often no gauge of the giver’s generosity +or good-will. It probably costs the person of small +means far more self-denial than does the lavish gift +of some richer guest, who can bestow it without any +personal inconvenience or being conscious of a +difference.</p> + +<p>To sum up the matter, let me repeat, ‘Care for +your employers’ visitors in the best way possible to +you, and so give them increased comfort and yourselves +the pleasure of contributing to the brightness +of their sojourn.’ If you receive no other reward, +you will have the satisfaction which generous, loving +hearts always experience in having given good +measure, whether it be of merchandise or of work. +For, remember, ‘With what measure ye mete, it shall +be measured to you again.’</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X"> + CHAPTER X. + <br> + <small>THE ONE SOURCE OF STRENGTH.</small> + </h2> +</div> + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap10.png" width="27" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">I have</span> made no attempt to define the duties of +any special household department, or to suggest +what share of work should fall to each servant. +Details must vary a good deal according to the +number employed, and the habits and rules of each +family.</p> + +<p>My object in writing has been to offer such advice +to servants, and particularly to young ones, as may +help them to take a higher view of their position, its +trusts and responsibilities. To show them first how +great is the influence they possess, and, secondly, how +they may use it for good.</p> + +<p>Such little word-pictures as I have drawn, by way +of illustrating my meaning, are all from real life and +personal experience. I trust they may serve either +as examples or warnings to those who look on them +with an understanding eye.</p> + +<p>I have wished to show girls in service that the very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>simplest household work may be performed in such a +manner as not only to please your earthly employers, +but to glorify your Master in heaven.</p> + +<p>What must you be in order to do this? Faithful, +obedient, honest, and upright, true in word and deed; +forbearing, kind, ready to forgive; unselfish in your +dealings with your fellow-servants, loving to the little +ones of the household; merciful to the dumb animals +which depend on human care, careful of the property +committed to your keeping; doing whatever you +find to do in a large-hearted, loving spirit, so that +those who see you will acknowledge that thus you +are striving to adorn the doctrine of God your +Saviour in all things.</p> + +<p>Not in great things only. To do great things is +the lot of but few. It is the doing well the work +belonging to our own place in the world which alone +is required from us. Remember the words used by +Jesus in the parable of the talents. To the servant +who had received but two, yet had turned them to +the best account in his power, they were spoken, the +same as to him who had received five:—</p> + +<p>‘Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast +been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler +over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy +Lord.’</p> + +<p>I fancy I hear some young voices addressing me +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>thus:—‘You set before us a high standard; how +shall we reach it? You own that we have difficulties +to struggle with; that we have many things to hinder +us, and so much both to learn and to unlearn. Some +of us come from poor homes at first, and have had +very little training to fit us for service. We have +idle and careless habits to amend, self-indulgent ones +to fight against.</p> + +<p>‘Many of us have been little used to think before +speaking, or to fight against hasty tempers.</p> + +<p>‘Perhaps we do not think as kindly of our mistresses +as we ought; but consider them more our +enemies than friends, and that their object is to get +as much work out of us as they can, and return us as +little.</p> + +<p>‘We have heard people talk of servants as domestic +plagues, and the “servants’ question” is often discussed +as though we had no feelings at all, or else all +the bad ones.</p> + +<p>‘No doubt we often try the patience of our mistresses +by our mishaps and mistakes. But if only +they would not expect us who have not had half +their advantages to be perfect, to begin with, we +should not get disheartened and careless about pleasing, +as we often do. We want to do right, but——’</p> + +<p>And the speakers pause, as travellers sometimes +do at the foot of some lofty mountain, in doubt +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>whether it will be worth their while to toil onward +and upwards to the summit. Ah! the climber may +not be sure whether, after all his weary steps, the +view will repay him. He may reach the top, and find +himself wrapped in a veil of fleecy mist, through +which his eyes cannot pierce, and he descends sorrowful +and disappointed.</p> + +<p>But those who are toiling heavenward, no matter +how rough the path by which they follow Jesus, can +never be disappointed. Each step made sure renders +the next easier; each fault conquered makes the +victory over another a something to be counted upon. +Was the path of Jesus a smooth one? Had He no +cross to carry before He won the victory over sin, +Satan, death, and the grave, and returned in triumph +to take again the crown eternally His own?</p> + +<p>What was our Master’s source of strength? Was +it not found in frequent prayer, in communion with +God, in being armed with the sword of the Spirit, even +the revealed Word of God, and ever ready to use it?</p> + +<p>Again I think I hear some of you say, ‘We have +very little time or opportunity for private prayer. +We seldom have even a bedroom entirely to ourselves. +At night we are often up late; we must rise +before the rest of the family to prepare what is needed +for their comfort. We feel too tired to rise earlier +still, in order to get the time for prayer. During the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span>day, if we think we will get a spare half-hour, we are +liable to many interruptions, and the sound of a bell +may call us from our knees almost as soon as we +have bent them at our Father’s footstool. Much +cannot be expected from us—the time we have for +prayer is so short.’</p> + +<p>True; and what a comfort to think that we can +always count on being judged according to our opportunities +by Him to whom all hearts are open and all +desires known! And how sweet to remember that it +is not only our prayers which find utterance, but the +very desires of our hearts which are known to God! +So the longing, earnest wish to be His child, and to +do His will, can be read as plainly as the expressed +petition can be heard by Him.</p> + +<p>Let me ask you: Have you used all the opportunities +you have had? If you have only been able +to call a few moments your own, have you spent them +in asking for the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, who +will lead you to see your need, sinfulness, helplessness, +and weakness; who will reveal to you that dear +Saviour in whom your wants will be supplied, your +sins pardoned, and strength given you for every good +word and work? Your hands may be busy, but you +may lift up your heart in prayer. You may be working +for an earthly employer, yet holding sweet communion +with your Heavenly Father, God, and King.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> + +<p>It is not a long prayer that is needed. But in +asking, you must want also; in coming to God, you +must believe in His will and His power to hear, +answer, and save to the uttermost all who approach +Him in the name of Jesus.</p> + +<p>A short time since, I read the following anecdote:</p> + +<p>‘At the battle of Edgehill, brave Lord Lindsay, +with his son, Lord Willoughby, headed the royal +foot-guards. Immediately before charging, he prayed +aloud in these words, “O Lord, Thou knowest how +busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not +Thou forget me.” Then turning to his men, he said, +“March on, boys.”’ I cannot tell you how often +this little story has come into my mind since I read +it, or how frequently I have repeated, from my heart, +the substance of that short prayer, ‘If I forget Thee, +O Lord, do not Thou forget me.’</p> + +<p>And though you and I are placed in very different +circumstances from those in which the brave old +soldier who uttered it found himself, we also must +march to battle every day and hour of our lives—the +world, the sinful desires of our own hearts, and the +temptations of Satan, being the foes we have to face, +and, in God’s strength and by His grace, to overcome.</p> + +<p>We can go to the Bible for samples of short +prayers, which obtained sufficient and speedy answers. +‘God be merciful to me a sinner,’ gained one with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span>enough of comfort to send home justified the penitent +publican. At the cry, ‘Lord, save, or we perish,’ +Jesus arose, rebuked the winds and waves, and there +was a great calm. ‘Lord, remember me when Thou +comest to Thy kingdom,’ called back the assurance +from the dying Saviour to the sinner, enduring a +punishment which he owned to be the just reward of +his deeds, ‘This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.’ +Short petition, and what a brief reply! but +enough to take away the load of guilt, the dread of +coming judgment, and the sting of death itself from +the thief upon the cross.</p> + +<p>Let these examples cheer and comfort you when, +amid the daily occupations of a life of service, you +lament that you have so little time for prayer or quiet +communion with God. If you are in earnest in wishing +for them, you will find more opportunities for +both than you at first imagined to be within your +reach.</p> + +<p>I remember being much struck with a prayer of +which I can only recall a few words, but these always +remain and often recur to my mind: ‘O God, when +Thou comest to number up Thy jewels, do not forget +that I cost Thee as dear as any.’</p> + +<p>Surely if we think what a price has been paid to +redeem a sinner from death, we shall have boldness +to ask that, with His dear Son, God will also, for His +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span>sake, freely give you all other good things. Do not +be cast down: the way is open, the invitation is for +you, the welcome is certain, and none need be discouraged. +Come in heart, though your hands may +be busy and your feet running to and fro. Lift up +your voice, or your thoughts only, in prayer to God, +though you cannot bend the knee. You will never +come to the Source of strength and be sent away +without a supply, for the fountain of God’s love is +alike eternal and inexhaustible.</p> + +<p>Before I finish this chapter, let me suggest a few +short prayers for your use. We are told ‘in everything, +by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,’ +to make our requests known unto God. We can +bring the little matters as well as the great things of +our daily life, and these words encourage us not only +to ask but to supplicate, or beg in earnest, that God +will undertake for us. Also in asking for new +mercies, to remember past blessings, and to thank +God for them, whether spiritual or temporal ones.</p> + +<p>When we are dressing in the morning, we may +say,—</p> + +<p>‘O God, I thank Thee for quiet sleep and rest; +for health, strength, safety, friends, food and shelter; +but most of all for the gift of Thy dear Son, my +Saviour.’</p> + +<p>When commencing our daily work,—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span></p> + +<p>‘O Lord, help me to do everything as for Thee.</p> + +<p>‘To take everything as from Thee.</p> + +<p>‘To use all I have for Thy glory.’</p> + +<p>Through the day, and when in company with +others,—</p> + +<p>‘Help me to act as remembering that Thou God +seest me.</p> + +<p>‘To speak as knowing that Thou hearest every +word.</p> + +<p>‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, for Thou +knowest my inmost thoughts and desires.’</p> + +<p>In time of temptation,—</p> + +<p>‘Help me, O God, to be true and just in all my +dealings, not forgetting that for all my actions I must +give an account unto Thee.’</p> + +<p>If unjustly blamed or provoked,—</p> + +<p>‘O blessed Saviour, help Thy servant to copy Thy +example, and to be like Thee, meek, lowly, patient +under provocation, kind and ready to forgive.’</p> + +<p>If feeling helpless and ignorant,—</p> + +<p>‘What I know not, teach Thou me.’</p> + +<p>If disheartened at the commonness of the work we +have to do,—</p> + +<p>‘O my Father, if I can do but little, help me to do +that little well. If I have but one talent, enable me +to use it for the good of others, the welfare of my +own soul, and, above all, for Thy glory.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> + +<p>Then we should not only pray for ourselves, but as +members of the family we live in, for the parents, +children, our fellow-servants and absent friends, and +as God’s children for all His family everywhere.</p> + +<p>However weary we may be at night, we may say +these few words,—</p> + +<p>‘O God, for Jesus’ sake forgive all I have done +wrong during this day. I thank Thee for all Thy +good gifts, and pray that Thou wilt keep me and all +dear to me in peace and safety, through the hours +of the darkness.’</p> + +<p>As a last thought, I would suggest that if the +mistress will kneel with her maid, and offer their +united requests to God, incalculable benefits would +result to themselves and to the household in which +they rule or serve.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI"> + CHAPTER XI. + <br> + <small>THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS AND + EMPLOYED.</small> + </h2> +</div> + + +<div> +<img class="dropcap" src="images/dropcap_chap11.png" width="55" height="90" alt=""> +</div> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="upper-case">According</span> to a learned writer the relationship +of master and servant is one founded on +convenience, whereby a person is directed to +call in the assistance of others where his own skill +and labour will not be sufficient to answer the cares +incumbent on him. It is a relationship which has +existed from time immemorial, though in olden +times the respective positions of a master and his +servant were much more akin to each other than +they are in the present day. Of old the servant was +more in the position of a slave, whose life and body +were entirely at the disposal of his master, but as the +age became more enlightened his position improved. +All traces of slavery in England vanished by the end +of the sixteenth century, and thenceforth the relation +of master and servant became one of pure contract.</p> + +<p>In the present day a servant may, therefore, be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>defined as ‘a person who voluntarily agrees, either +for wages or not, to subject himself at all times +during the period of service to the lawful orders and +directions of another in respect of certain work to be +done.’ It follows from this that a master is a person +who is entitled to give such orders and to have them +obeyed.</p> + +<p>From the foregoing definition it will be seen that +the term ‘servant’ has a very extensive meaning, +and includes every person who is under the orders of +another, no matter what his duties may be; but the +following lines have reference to domestic or household +servants only. Domestic servants are sometimes +called menial servants, but there is a distinction +in the meaning of the two words. The word +‘menial’ has a wider signification than the word +‘domestic,’ and includes it. Every servant who at +all times during the service is under the immediate +control, discipline, and management of his or her +master or mistress, and is liable also to attend +their persons, is a menial servant; whereas those +only who form part of the family household are +domestic servants. There is no hard-and-fast rule as +to who are domestic or menial servants, but each +case depends on its own circumstances. All indoor +servants whose duty it is to attend on their masters +and perform household acts are clearly menial and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>domestic servants, and this will include a coachman +or gardener living in a lodge or other separate +cottage, but it will not include a farm bailiff, though +living in the house. Neither is a governess a menial +servant, from the position she holds in the family of +her employer and in society generally.</p> + +<p>The contract for the hire of a servant by a married +woman as mistress of her husband’s house is a good +and binding one, and her husband will in most cases +be bound by it to pay the servant’s wages; for, +although it is the wife who actually engages the +servant, and who will during the service probably be +the person to whom the servant will look for her +orders, still the wife only acts as her husband’s agent +and by his authority. This authority may be given +expressly or may be implied by circumstances. A +servant, suitable to their degree in life, engaged and +hired by the wife can recover wages from the husband. +Where a husband and wife do not live +together, it depends on the circumstances of the case +whether or not the husband is liable. For instance, +if when living apart the husband allows the wife +sufficient means to enable her to maintain herself in +her proper position, he cannot be made liable for the +wages, nor can he where he has expressly forbidden +his wife to hire a servant, if the latter is aware of the +fact.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> + +<p>[As this chapter appears in a book devoted to +matters of feminine interest, the word ‘mistress’ will +be used throughout the rest of it instead of master, +though the latter must be understood to be included +and for the same reason the servant will be referred +to by words indicative of the female sex, although +the law laid down is equally applicable to males.]</p> + +<p>With regard to the duration of the period of service, +the contract of hiring between a mistress and +servant is deemed to be a general one, and to last for +the period of a year; and where there is no express +mention made of the time for which the hiring is to +continue, or of the time for giving notice, it is understood +that the hiring is for a year, but may be determined +at any moment by either party giving to the +other a month’s notice, or warning, or a month’s +wages in lieu of notice. Where, however, the duration +of the engagement is expressly mentioned, the +presumption that it is for a year is rebutted; and +where there is nothing to show that it is not intended +to be a yearly hiring, the payment of wages at short +intervals, such as a fortnight or a month, will not +make it less a hiring to last for a year, nor even the +payment of wages by the week, where the engagement +was to be determined by a month’s notice. As +before stated, it is a well-known rule—founded solely +on custom, however—that a contract of service may +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>be determined by either the mistress or servant +giving to the other a month’s notice, and at the expiration +of this month, on the servant’s leaving, she +must be paid her full wages up to that time.</p> + +<p>The service may also be determined at a moment’s +notice on payment by the party giving the notice to +the other of a sum equivalent to a month’s wages. +(These remarks do not apply to the case of a mistress +summarily dismissing a servant for misconduct, +which subject will be mentioned later on.) If a servant +gives notice and leaves there and then, she is +entitled to be paid a proportionate part of the wages +accrued since the last day of payment up to the +time of leaving, but in return she must pay her +mistress a month’s wages as compensation for not +serving the month out. If, however, a servant packs +up her boxes and goes away without saying anything +about it, she utterly forfeits all claim to any wages +which have accrued since the last day of payment, +and cannot, after wilfully violating the contract according +to which she was hired, claim the sum to +which her wages would have amounted had she kept +her contract, merely deducting therefrom one month’s +wages.</p> + +<p>Some persons may perhaps think this somewhat +harsh, but it is nevertheless the law, and, moreover, it +is more consistent with honesty and common-sense +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span>than to allow a servant to break a contract, and at +the same time claim a benefit under it, when upon +simply giving notice to the mistress and paying, or +agreeing to allow the mistress to deduct from the +amount due to her, a month’s wages, she can leave +at any time. The distinction between leaving at a +moment’s notice and leaving without notice at all +may seem to some perhaps rather fine, but the practical +effect of adhering to the strict letter of the law +is merely to compel a servant to give her mistress +notice when she wants to leave, which can be but +little trouble to the servant, and will, in most cases, +save the mistress a good deal of unnecessary trouble +and inconvenience, and perhaps loss. So that if a +servant is paid on the first of each month, and on the +fifteenth of the month she gives notice to leave, she +may go there and then, and the mistress must pay +her the amount of wages earned in those fifteen +days; but the servant must pay the mistress a full +month’s wages as compensation for not staying the +month out. But if, instead of giving notice, the +servant simply goes away without saying a word, in +that case the wages which had accrued between the +first and the fifteenth would be absolutely forfeited.</p> + +<p>The service is also put an end to by the death of +the employer, and, of course, by the death of the +servant. If, therefore, a servant be discharged on the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span>death of the employer, she can claim and must be +paid wages from the time of the last payment up to +the death. If, however, the servant is kept on by the +representatives of the deceased to look after things, +she will then be their servant, and they must pay her. +If a servant dies during the service, all wages due to +her up to the time of her death must be paid to her +representatives, who may sue for the same if withheld.</p> + +<p>One of the cases in which erroneous impressions +frequently exist is as to what will justify a mistress +in summarily dismissing a servant. The following +are the principal grounds which will justify the discharge +of a servant at a moment’s notice:—1, Wilful +disobedience to any lawful order; 2, gross moral +misconduct; 3, habitual negligence; 4, incompetence +or permanent incapacity from illness.</p> + +<p>As to wilful disobedience, if a servant will not obey +a lawful order she must suffer for her obstinacy. If +a servant will persist in going out, or standing at the +street door, and such like, after having been forbidden +to do so, such conduct will justify instant dismissal. +In one case a female servant persisted in going out +against her mistress’s orders, though it was to visit a +dying mother, and she was thereupon dismissed. It +was subsequently decided by the judges that such +summary dismissal was justifiable. This case is not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span>quoted as an example to others to do likewise, but +simply to show under what circumstances summary +dismissal is justifiable. The mistress’s orders must +be confined to those services for which the servant +was hired, and a mere obstinate refusal to do some +particular act will not justify dismissal, the refusal +must be persistent.</p> + +<p>Again, theft, immorality, drunkenness, and such +like, all constitute good grounds for discharging a +servant. If a servant is grossly rude and insolent, +she may be at once dismissed; and if she is violent, +and uses abusive language to her mistress or one of +the family, the latter may send for a policeman and +give her into custody.</p> + +<p>If a servant will not do her work, or is habitually +negligent in it, she may be sent away at once; but +mere occasional neglect, which does not cause injury, +does not justify instant dismissal without compensation. +And, again, if a servant is hired for a particular +purpose, and proves utterly incompetent to +perform it, this is a good ground for discharge. For +instance, if you engage a cook who represents herself +to be thoroughly proficient and highly trained in the +culinary art, and you pay her high wages, you will be +quite justified in dismissing her if she altogether fails +to redeem her profession in any essential particular. +As a rule, however, it is not safe to dismiss ordinary +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span>domestics without notice or payment of wages for +incompetence, for it is common knowledge that a +great number of servants offer themselves, and are +hired to perform, services which they are utterly incapable +of rendering. Want of experience, clumsiness, +absence of skill and finish about their work +must be expected when untrained servants at low +wages are hired, and must be taken as part of the +bargain, and it would be safe to dismiss only in the +higher branches of domestic service, when special +knowledge and skill are necessary, but are not forthcoming +in the servant who professed them, as in the +case of the cook just mentioned. Of course, when a +servant is dismissed for any of the above offences, she +forfeits all claim to any wages which have accrued +since the last day of payment, in the same manner as +if she left without notice.</p> + +<p>A temporary illness, with incapacity for work, is +not a good ground for discharging a servant unless +the contract has been rescinded; but permanent illness +is a good ground for dismissal. The wages that +have been earned by the servant up to the time of +the illness must be paid, because it is no fault of hers +that she cannot continue the service; and unless the +contract is put an end to, there is no suspension of +the right to wages because of her illness and incapacity +to work. It may as well be stated here +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span>that a servant cannot legally compel a master or +mistress to find her medicine when she is sick, or +surgical attendance when she has met with an accident, +unless the illness or accident is the direct result +of fulfilling a lawful command. However, very +slight evidence will fix the master or mistress with +liability, and it is probable that if a servant were ill +and sent for a medical man with the master’s knowledge, +the latter would have to pay for the attendance. +Indeed, in one case a servant was suddenly +taken ill and sent for a doctor, and on the matter +subsequently coming to the master’s knowledge he +sent his own doctor. It was held that he was liable +to pay the surgeon called in by the servant, simply +because his wife knew that he had been called in, and +did not express any disapprobation.</p> + +<p>Now as to character. No mistress is legally bound +to give her domestic or menial servant a character. It +is, however, the duty of a mistress to state fairly and +honestly what she knows of a servant when applied +to by any one who may be about to take the servant +into their employ; and those who are about to employ +them have a corresponding interest in knowing the +truth concerning them, so that they may be rightly +informed as to those who are coming to form part of +their domestic household. Masters and mistresses +should be freely, unreservedly, and truthfully out-spoken +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span>as to their opinion of those servants who have +left their service, not keeping back that which is unfavourable, +nor speaking ill of them, nor recklessly +exaggerating their faults and shortcomings. For +while the law in the interests of society holds the +communication of the character of servants privileged, +yet a deliberately stated falsehood would be evidence +of malice, and would tend to deprive the communication +of its privilege, and render the person making it +liable to an action at the suit of the servant. The +mistress is in duty bound to state not only what she +knows of the servant at the time of her discharge, +but if she knows of any circumstance subsequently +happening of which the inquirer is entitled to be +informed, also to tell further what she conscientiously +believes to be the case; therefore, if a good character +is at first given, and the mistress subsequently +finds out things unfavourable to the servant, it is +her duty to communicate the discovery to the person +to whom the character has been given.</p> + +<p>Any communication made by a mistress as to the +character of a servant—no matter how damaging +such a character may be—if fairly and honestly +made, is a privileged communication; that is to say, +that such communication will not render the mistress +liable to any action by the servant for slander. This +privilege arises from the duty which, as before stated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span>lies upon all mistresses to state fully and fairly the +truth about a servant, whether in her favour or +against her; and a mistress, so long as she does not +go out of her way to injure, need not be afraid of +telling the truth about the real character of any +servant. Any person knowingly giving a false +character to another person about to hire the servant, +if the latter subsequently robs or injures his or her +master or mistress, is guilty of a criminal offence +which renders him liable to a penalty of £20, or +three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. But +a false character <i>bonâ fide</i> believed to be true will +not render the giver so liable.</p> + +<p>When a servant enters into the service of a mistress, +it is her duty to fulfil the engagement to the +best of her ability; to be honest, respectful, and +diligent, to take due and proper care of her mistress’s +property, and to obey all lawful orders. These orders +must be lawful and within the scope of the employment +for which the servant was hired; and no +servant is obliged to obey an order attended with +risk; for instance, a lady’s-maid would not be obliged +to clean the scullery, and such like.</p> + +<p>It is the duty of a master to supply a servant with +proper food and shelter, and to pay the wages agreed +on between them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span></p> + +<p>A master may not under any circumstances +chastise a servant, no matter how incorrigible. If +they cannot agree, the servant must be discharged. +A master is not liable to a servant for any injuries +inflicted by fellow-servants in the ordinary discharge +of their duty; for a servant, when he or she engages +to serve, impliedly undertakes as between himself or +herself and the employer to run all the risks of the +service. This branch of the law is, however, somewhat +complicated, and in case of an accident happening, +the liability or non-liability of the master or +mistress would depend so much on the actual circumstances +of the particular case, that it is impossible, +in a chapter of this nature, to lay down any general +rules bearing on the subject; and the only safe +course under such circumstances would be to lay +the case before a solicitor, and be guided by his +advice.</p> + +<p>Lastly, as to the liability of a master or mistress +for the acts of the servant.</p> + +<p>The principle on which a master or mistress is +liable for the actions of their servant is that of agency. +The mere relation of master and servant does not +invest the latter with a right to pledge the master’s +credit; and if the servant purchase goods on credit +without the leave of the master, no liability attaches +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>to the latter. But if a master holds out a servant as +his authorized and accredited representative, it is only +right and just that he should accept responsibility for +his acts. For instance, where the master is in the +habit of sending the servant to buy goods upon credit, +and is not in the habit of paying for such goods at +the time of buying, but on a particular occasion does +furnish the servant with money to pay for such goods, +and the servant either loses or steals the money, but +orders the goods, the master is liable, because the +tradesman has been in the habit of supplying goods +on credit. But when the master is in the habit of +supplying his servant with money to pay cash down +for the goods he orders, and the servant steals or +loses the money, but orders the goods, the master +will not be liable, because he has always been in +the habit of sending the servant with the money, +and nothing but the master’s express authority to +the tradesman to supply the goods on credit will +render him liable.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, it may be stated generally that a +master is liable for all the acts of a servant which +come within the scope of the latter’s employment, +however wrongful and negligent such acts may be, +but is not responsible for the wrongful act of a servant +unless that act be done in the execution of the authority +given by him in the course of the employment, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>for beyond the scope of his employment he or she is +as much a stranger to the master as to any third +person, and his or her act cannot, therefore, be regarded +as the act of the master.</p> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em"> + THE END. +</p> +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="center" style="font-size:small"> + Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London. +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <div class="transnote"> +<p class="center ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</p> +<p>Adding missing closing quotation mark on page <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, +after “<a href="#of_wages">of wages</a>.”</p> +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been left unchanged.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77633 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77633-h/images/cover.jpg b/77633-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e33497 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap1.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f992b94 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap1.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap10.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap10.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d154784 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap10.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap11.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap11.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0e1162 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap11.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap2.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e52bf01 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap2.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap3.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap3.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbf96c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap3.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap4.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap4.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..86adbdd --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap4.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap5.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap5.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7738bc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap5.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap6.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap6.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fcbee09 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap6.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap7.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap7.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..26087c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap7.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap8.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap8.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d11cb97 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap8.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap9.png b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap9.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f41d52 --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/dropcap_chap9.png diff --git a/77633-h/images/i_title.png b/77633-h/images/i_title.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e1168a --- /dev/null +++ b/77633-h/images/i_title.png |
