The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-10-03 00:00:00

TWO SIDES TO A QUESTION.

For the last week or two, letters have appeared
each day in The Tim from correspondents, com-
plaining of the fees expected by servants from visitors
to their masters ; and especially in the case of game-
keepers. Considering, we suppose, that the com-
plainants have said all they can for their side if the
storv: iFr Tomes fling proceeds to give the servants
their "innings.' under the head of "A Word for the
Servants,- and there is SO much common sense in the
following letters, that we have no hesitation in reprint-
ing them. The first is from one who signs himself
"A Butler,- and is as follows: -
" "

As there are always two sides to a question will you kindly
allow me to say. few wordn in reply to " A.8.C." I have I
been a London footman some years, mist have had many
visitors staying in my master's house for a few lays—sit,
and even a few months. Now, let " A.B.C."place himself in my :
position. Ile comes alai stays a fortnight, or it may be Mr
and Mrs. '•A.B.C. ; " they go to the opera twice a week; I
must go with the carri,ge to take them, and again Li fetch
them home. Then, there is most likely tea to niche, or wine
and Sandwiches hi take up, which keeps me up till the small
hours if the morning. Then, I must rise early, clean his
! boots, brush his clothes, take up his hot water, and 1111 his
bath. In the Ellelllll time my master has two dinner parties.
" A.8.C." has little Idea of the quantity of extra work this
makes ale: mid this in many families goes m all through
the London season. Then as to the housemaid ; she t,
of course, if there be no Ladys Maid, Oct up till Mrs.
A.8.1'." returns from the Opera, to indasten her dress, and
attend on her in the morning, and most likely make her a
cup of tea and take to her room before she rise,. Now, if
Mr and Mrs. "A. 8.C." can button up their pockets and go
straight out of the house without giving a trine, all I can
say is, to learn ones A BC in such a way is hard indeed.

The neat is from "A Flunky in a ( :nod OM English
Family.' :
Would you kindly insert a few lines in your paper from one
acquainted with service and gentry.
have waited to see if some members of the reßpectable
fraternity to which I have the happiness to belong more able
than myself would have taken up the mutter: but, like
myself I suppose they feel that there lot is to work and
rod to write.
I have no doubt my humble comnmnicati will extort'
some laughter from the liberal gentlemen who have been
doing their best to enlighten the Public on questions of eco-
nomy, but really, I believe, to save their own pockets only,
and not to effect illty great reform, or, I confidently believe,
to alter the pliins of the few go, it old meinlaa a of the upper
classes who are still left to gladen the hearts if their depen-
dants and others by their well tuned liberality for small
services rendered. Honour, I say !to such truly English
gentlemen—may there be yet some amongst their sons who
will emulate their Fathers example aiol leave the caviling
pupets who begrudge every sixpense, and yet are amongst the
most troublesome and difficult to serve and please.
I believe it is a principle of our law that he who tempts
another to dn wrong is the worst of the two, and also it is an
old saying that he who affects to dos genii action and boasts
of it after is a contemptible fellow. Now, Sir, (do think
that the 1T,0nm.,11 (!) who laid their heads together to
tempt the Gamekeeper with so large a sum—notch beyond
what in justice he could have expected or desired—acted
against the spirit of the law, and I should say, for once, very
much in opposition to the bent of his mind.
The good opinion of ones fellow creatures is worth
securing if he be only a flunky, and that may be done gene-
rally by a kindly and considerate bearing—as well as a little
Itip now and then, perhaps. What is the result ? Why,
cheerful faces to welcome the young gentleman the next
time he pays Master a visit, and ready and willing hands and

hearts to make the young gentleman§ stay happy snit
pleasant to himself, and when he departs many a hearty wish
for his welfare and ape. d y return— if he please.
No doubt there are amongst servants, as anitinget others.
some who are rather time thoughtful for self and extortionate
in their expectations—but. Whilst On iii jOust nun of coo
science. I ssu,nulm'r if these liberal minded ).aing gentlemen
would ref use an (Teen,4. tempting as that which they beguiled
the poor keeper with ; would they, I wonder, refuse souse
*ineevire in the Treasury or other Government office, offered
to them by a great relative who nmy preside over the
Department, merely because in the, conscience they feel
they are mentally cud morally until to perform the duties
reqstlrevtt I fancy I see such ywing gentlemen allowing the
tempting chance to slip