Delaware journal., 1828-10-31

Description of Il Russian NoJieman's House. Az
the top of the grem staircase is an ante-room. IN
which there are always great many servants for
those invariably follow their master mistress up
stairs to receive coaks, wrappngs, fur, shoes, ga
ashes, hannel boots, and touiilers, which are cast
oil IN this ante-room, and never before. While
am on the bject OF servants in the great Russian
fanlies may Just observe that although the prac~
lice is said to have been measure modified since
1872 still the number OF them is astonishing the
more so, as there is IN fact no occupation for the
tenth part OF them, particularly in families that are
evidently in straitened circumstances. " | have
seen repeatedly" said Russian officer TO me, oc-
cupyng distinguished situation at ST. Petersburah,
"n the house of nobleman, or persons IN high
office, six. eight, and ten servants, different costu.
mes, waiting in an ante-room, doing positively no.
thing, and these formed but small part of the es-
tablishment. For In great house, not only there
are, rs dare say there in the houses of the
great IN England, nteadda, aaaaitre dhotet sev-
erai grooms of the chamber, the laly's footboys,
and the genemans valet and ootmen. but also the
cdsseus, the Sch9sSs the the frotteurs and
porteurs OF wood and water, those who light the
stoves, the avora,ct, and again the cook, the norm
itonS, with long list of ct ceteraS, besides whole
string OF ladies' waiting women, and host of pea
SAINTS about the yard, stable coach-house and outer
offices, coachman and under-coachman, postillons,
and out riders. But what is worse than all that all
and each OF these people, when once established in
house, multiply IN an astonishing ratio first be-
cause wives arc brought in next because children
are born thirdly, because relations are admitted
and lastly, because friends will be treated and made
to partake Of the general eocagae. When mar
red, continued my friend, :" was determined that
none but really necessary people shall remain in
my househoid and | cut dow my list to forty of
them; but TO my surprise, in three t6urs years
, afterwards, discovered that they had nearly dou~
bled In every other country but in Russia, Il
Doheman would be satisfied with three four or i've
servants to wait at the table here on the contra.
ry, one is stationed behind each chair. Until eary
lately (and indeed many Of the principal prog.uces
and at the country Of the great the pracuce
still prevas) there servant in every room to
receive orders, and two little boys statiore
4 ut every door OF the numerous Spite and
these performed what bells perform but since
the introducton OF the latter onvenience the atten-
dance OF these young messengers has been dspen-
: sed with The Countess Oroh has so many SER
n wants aud other persons in her suite at Mexico,
that she s Obliged TO have hos Pitai purposcly for
# them when they are ILL.,. believe they are seldom
il less than 600 IN number. But with all these reg-
. mems OF domestics, there is not house-maid any
4 where, either to make your bed OF to dust your
room, both operations being performed by men,
!! than which nothing can be odi0us in my sight -
e 10 the truth OF the latter observation and conclu.
It soa, can bear witness. 1t is the general practice
IA and therefore, useless to complain but during the
n time Of my remaining in st. Petersburgh, ne YER
IS once cast my eye on that useful servant mentioned
n last by my Russian acquaintance Graasuie's
l. 81. PeterS6urgh.