The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-05-11 00:00:00

TEE FLAG OF DUNDEE.

(From "Neu ''

Air—" D,nny D .mice."

.0n Friday tannigl meeting of Diimestic Servants resident
in Dundee and neighbourhood wan held. Two girls achlrmsed
the limiting at some length, contending that Domestic
Servants were retitled to half holiday week'y and a free Sab-
bath every fortnight, or a full holiday mom a fortnight.
Hoots should be from sir to ten, and no labour on Sunday
except what was absolutely necessary. A long and animated
discussion afterwards to k place as to the restrictions which
wore placed upon the wearing appar.-1 of the Servants. If they
were compelled to wear what was generally known ass' tlag,'
It should be at the expense of the Mistress. The opinion wan,
however, that it ought not to be worn stall. Mistresses had
no right to interfere with Servants' apparel in ally way so
long as it was paid for, what right had Mistresses to pry
into the character of their Servalits ? It was high time that
the Domestic Servants should form themselves into an or-
ganization, whereby they would be enabled to secure infor-
mation as to the characters, temper, and conduct of those
who might become their employers. It was agreed to form
an Associatiou."—Dundee Advertiser, April 20.
" SERVANTs' GRDWANCEs.—tt crowded meeting of Gentle-
men's Servants was held last night at the 'l' emperance
Leamington, to discuss their grosvanc,s. Mr. Sollis, butler
at Leamington College, presided, but the great mans of the
meeting consisted apparently of coachmen, gardeners,
sod stablemen. The Chairman asserted that the condition
of many Gentlemen's Servants was worse than that
of slaves, complaiue i of the long hours butlers,
gardeners and others had to work for the wages they re-
ceived, and advocated shorter Irmrs and increased pay. A
Resolution was unanimously adopted for the formati.m of a
Colon of butlers, gardeners, grooms, footmen, and porters.
Cheers were given tor the Maids of Dundee,' and at the con-
clusion of the meeting a number of members were eurollidsn
—Leamington Courier, April Is.
•

, .
To the Leamington flunkeys 'twas Bollls that spoke:
" The Warwickshire labourers strike is a joke
To what when ire strike the .ensatlon will be—
Come follow the housemaids of Bonny Dundee !
' Come, from buttons to butler, from tiger to groom;
Come, gard'ner from gleenhowse, and coachman from
brougham;
Come open your grievances, open them free,
And follow the ' flag' of the Maids of Dandee."

Stop Soills who can, now he 's once on his feet,
Though Leamington's dowagers plaintive may bleat,
Though her bilious old 'whams more bilious may be,
When Leamington follows the lead of Dundee.
" Come, from buttons to butler," the.

As Mils the wrongs of the liveried made known,
Some thought of the trumpets at Jericho 'blown,
And those lights hid in pitchers seemed butlers to be,
Ere they followed the housemaids of Donny Dundee
'' Come, from buttons to butler," &e.

" What, though with three meat-meals a-day we are crammed,
Till in laced coats and plush fellers figures feel jammed;
Though with hoer, and e'en wines, Servants' 'Ails ma) flow

—tree,
Why should men not stlike here, if maids strike in Dundee
" Lane, &um buttons to butler," &c.

Even hedgers and ditchers can strike, so one hears,
And it they 're Labour's Commoners, we areher Frees;
Who should know on which able our bread's buttered but
we 4--
Though for grievances IA amington mayn't be Dundee!
"Come, Irons buttons to butler," erc.

"Let Masters complain WC 're 'fed better than taught;'
There's an answer to that, which it is 'l4O we ought!'
Why if servants" All fare, like its schooliti alumni be,
'Twouldn't breed pluck to follqw the Maids of Domino!
" Como, from buttons to butler,'lde.

"If you ask me our object—for what in I goes?
My answer is simple—, I follow my nose. [see,
Something wrong somewhere soon it will smell out, you'll
Till it does, we will march with the flag it Dundee !
" Come, from buttons to butler," ttte.

"There are butlers from south, there are gardeners from
north—
Ard du pantry to pinery word has gone forth—
'Fleet out wrongs, if wrongs are; if not, made let them be,
And up with the flag of the Maids of Dundee?
"Come, from bottom to butler," ite.

There's Jeames in his powder, his plush, and his pride ;
There's the groom it his leathers, cravat squarely tied
The state-c •aeliman iu wig and bouquet, broad as three—
livlyvervants and gu mls for the maids 1 Dundee !
"Come, from buttons to butler," 4c.

" Our hours are too tom; keys ain't left In the locks
Wines are booked in the cellar, and plate in the box :
Tradesmen's tips ain't the good they was once and should
be ;
Here are reasons to follow the Maids of Dundee
" Come, from buttims to butler," dec.

So the war.notes from Sollls's brazen trump blown
Have their wrongs that still languish in livery made known
Anti if Servants raise statues, a statue let's see
Of Solna embracing a maid of Dundee !
"Come, from buttons to butler," &c.