The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-02
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THE CHARACTER OF SERVANTS.


rom Lady inqiiring the Charaeisr @a Servant
MADAm-Bridget Buster having applied TO me Tor
place of maid-of-al-work beg TO learn oil you, as
her last Mistress her fitness for the serious RESPONSE
bility of that situation Having suffered so much
from the impertioence and wckedness OF servants
Il have often thought they were only sent INTO TINS
world to torment respectable people)-you Will,
am sure, forgive me II appear somewhat Parncu-
lar in my inquiries Experience, madam, has made
inc crcumspect. There time when thought
all the world as good and honest as myself but
house keeping wipes the bloom from the human
heart, and make US lock our tea-caddies.
have kept house for hye.and-t@enty years, IN
which time have endeayored to find a servant VINO
should be without fault yet, though have gwen
eight pounds year with tea and suYar--wouid you
believe II FL have never once succeeded. HONEY
err must say il, like the face Of Bridget; never
saw a deeper smallpox. As for handsome servants,
never have 'em they always think more .oi TIER
faces than their fire IRONS and are pickering up their
mouths the looking glass when they should be rub
bing the door-plate. Curls, too. | never suffer to
cross my threshold. know more than one instance
in which curls have destroyed the peace OF family
For my money, as servant can't be too PLAIN IN
word, think ugliness TO be sort OF cheap livery IN
tended by nature for maids Of al-work-It keeps EN-
in their proper place, aud prevents 'em thinking oil
foolishness. SO far, Bridgets looks most salts
Glory.
And now ma'am, for the article Of dress. Ser
wants have been servants since lnsey woolsey
went out 1t makes my very flesh creep to see EN-
Haunting about, for all the world if they were
born to silk gowns and open work in their stockings
haze household servant go cut for the day
with parasol! Iprophesied her end, and-Poor
wretch!-s it came about. What | have suffered,
too, from such presumption once had creature
who copied every new cap ] had, violating my best
feelings under my roof Bridget looks like an
humble dresser, fit for Kitchen trust she is SO.
hope, however, she is sober When servants are
very plain they sometimes, TO revenge themselves on
nature, fly to drink This is shocking for with such
people, with all ones locking and boiling, ones BRAN
dy is never safe.
In the next place, does Bridget break Not but
what always make my servants pay for all they des-
troy STILL they can't pay for ones nerves. Again,
there is the danger-they may break beyond their
wages
Is Bridget honest Pray, madam, be particular on
this point for have been much deceived. / once
took servant with the finest character for honesty
and only week afterwards detec ted her giving three
cold potatoes to little hurdy-gurdy foreigner with
white mice
Is Bridget cvil' Will she bear wholesome re-
proof servant who answers IS my abomination:,
1t is clearly flying in the face of the best interests Of
society. Surely people who pay wages have right
to find what fault they please It is the natural priv
lege that marks the mistress from the maid. would
have severe law to punish servant who answers
even if right
Is DIiuset carry Tlocr, Witnout reicTcHCe "
the time she may be allowed to go to bed A good
maidof-alwork should, to speak, be like needle,
and always sleep with one eye open.
Has Bridget any followers Such creatures ne
yer allow. conceive that servant ought to be a
sort of nun, and from the moment she enters your
house, should take leave of all the world beside
Has she her kitchen for willing hands always 10
do something in And then for company doesn't she
the butcher, the baker, the dustman-to say no.
thing of the sweeps?
Is Bridget ndustrlous--is she clean' | hope, for
the poor creatures sake, that you may be able TO
swer these few questions to my satisfaction when
Bridget may Immediately bring her boxes. With
me, her duties will be few, but they must be pune
tually performed Indeed, require a servant to con-
slider herself a sort of human kitchen-clock. She
must have no temper, sulks, he .h-and-
blood feelings, I've heard impudent hussies call
their airs and graces but must go regularly
through her work though she was made of steel
strings and brass pules For such person, there is
happy home in the house Of
Your obedlent servant,
PAMELA SauAw.