The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-11-21 00:00:00

MRS. JOHN BULL AT HOME.

Now that Jacques Bonhonnne has had a long say
about England, it is only right that the German
Michel should have a turn. An observant German
has just recorded at length his impressions of English
domestic life in the provincial press of his country. In
this matter of housewifery it would seem that Eng,
land is regarded as exemplary, and certainly this
German view is quite as favourable as any that hays
preceded it. This is what Cousin Michel has to say
about English housewives and domestic economy in
general:—
If the Deutecher Michel's love of work and his
capacity for it are justly praised, John Bull certainly
takes the praise for organisation and administration.
It is this quality which has made him the-first colonist
in the world, but the quality is one which shows itself,
though national and universal, in small things, as- in
the restricted sphere of the home. In &hone° where
50 domestics are employed everything goes on regu-
larly as clockwork. The lady of the house directs the
entire machinery from her boudoir, and, without goiag
into the kitchen or dining-room, knows what is- pass-
ing there; and in no part of this little state does
irregularity or negligence occur which she fails to
forbid or rebuke. Since she is very cautious in engag-
ing servants, and takes none without credentials, she
is able to feel pretty much at rest. Every morning
she gives audience in her sanctum to the houtse-
keeper, the cook, and other heads of depart-
ments, and discharges accounts, correepoudence, and
similar duties. "My lady" is in the house and garden
the superior court, whose permission must be ob-
tained for every alteration; while "My lord" follows
his vocation or pleasures, but keeps far from inter-
ference in these matters. When I look at the English
lady as she goes quietly and business-like to work,
does everything with exactitude, and, if not, with
muscles, with the head directs so much, I often think
that we Germans may learn much from her; not in
the fundamentals of the work, since we are therein
No. I, but in the quietness and the clear oversight of
arrangements wherein every English housewife dis-
plays the true talent of a :general. In organisation
and administration we must strike sail before Mrs.
Bull, and in humility acknowledge that she surpasses
US.
Passing on to a classification of the personnel of an
English lady's eependants, this warm admirer of our
domestic system now and then gets a little mixed:
At the head of the servants in an English house
stands the housekeeper, who is known by her family
name, and receives the worthy prefix of Mrs.," and
that whether she be married or single. Beneath her
are All the female servants, for whom she is respon-
sible; she is specially entrusted with the oversight of
the linen. No education is required of her • it is
only desired that by steady and discreet behaviour
she maintain the authority which becomes her posi-
tion. The head of the male personnel is the butler,
who is responsible for the wine cellar and the silver,
besides having to direct the other male servants. Ex-
cluding these male liveried servants, no other
domestic should be visible to the lady and gentleman
of the house the day through. The housemaids, to
whom naturally falls the cleaning of their master's
rooms, have particularly to follow this rule.
We are next told that, following the example set
in the arrangement or the country's administrative
machinery, there are both " upper " and "lower"
among domestic servants:
The housekeeper, butler, chamber servants, waiting-
maid, and cook are the aristocracy of the domestics;
they have a separate room—the housekeeper's room
—provided with carpet and comfortable furniture.
They are addressed as " Sir " and " Miss " by the
other servants, and are waited on by a page in livery.
The doings of these "upper servants" often furnish
material for the comic papers, especially Punch, which
latter paper should be studied by all who wish to
secure a correct picture of English life.
It seems that these members of the English gentle-
man's household provide themselves with warm water
directly on rising in the morning, "since it is recom-
mended for keeping the hands white and soft." They
breakfast off "tea or coffee, vario-as cold or warm
meats, white bread of different kinds, and preserves."
Dinner is usually at one o'clock, and consists of roast
meat, vegetables, and pudding. "Wine is not allowed,
but beer ad libitum." At five, we are told, a sub-
stantial tea follows, comprising "toasted white
bread, pastry, preserved fruit, eggs, and
cold meat," vi hile supper is Made ver;y
late off the varied remains of the master
table. "The ladies—that is, the chambermaids,
cooks, and housekeepers—make their toilets now,
just as my lady' is accustomed to do, in the even-
ings ; and often appear in muslin or dyed silk clothes
at this their high meal, which is varied by an active
drawing-room conversation till the bell rings, and
chambermaids and waiting-maids must go to their
respective posts."
The summing-up of the critic is that while there
never were such successful housewives as the English,
o far as administration is concerned, our ladies make
a great mistake in not acquainting themselves with
what goes on downstairs. Perhaps this Gorman
Michel, erring on the other side, has given too much
attention to that part of the house.—Pall Mall
Gazette.