Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-10-09
The Plague of HOusekccpers.

"Help," as English Trolopes say we call all
domestic servants in America, is sore source
of trouble to housckeepers, throughout the free
states. South of Mason and Dixon. they arc
of course. provided for, in their peculiar way.
Major Noah. in his last Messenger" has one
of his characteristic editorials, on this subject
which contains some matters that address them
selves to the business and bosom of almost,
if not every family. hereabouts Says he:
"We have found out the secret why servants
plague the mistress of the house almost to DEATH
and why a first rate waiting girl in England
makes a most Indifferent servant in America,
viz: the freedom of our constitutions, which
not only apply to all callings and occupations
but are assumed by all; and all become infected
with liberty and equality the moment they touch
our soil This largest liberty was not under
stood bv our revolutionary fathers to extend be-
yond political rights, and was not remotely in
tended to break down the barriers of society. In
England. man will hire groom at a smaller
salary if YOU give him handsome livery; in
this country, you must increase your wages, il
YOU wish your groom to wear livery at all.
This doctrine was cxcmpliiied recently in fam
lily advertising for woman who would make
herself generally useful; and among number
of applicants was an exceedingly prepossessing'
girl, neatly dressed with a handsome open coun-
tcnance and a rudy compleyion-a taking face
as we may call it. Tho lady said
"You are an English girl, believer
/ "Yes, ma 'am-just arrived. Only been ir
the city two days, have no acquaintance at all
and only wish to go to church, Sunday after
Moons"
"You have recommendation, suppose"
eyes, ma ANA seven years character, ant
a Recommendation from our minister"
The documents being read, and all found gen
uine and satisfactory, the lady inquired wha
wages she would expect.
"Why. ma am, the stewardess on board shil
told me to ask seven dollars month. had il
London nine pounds year"
"Why. that is scarcely four dollars month
Now, am willing to give six dollars, providc'
YOU would suit me. Having lived so long il
one place, you can remember what kind of wor
was required of you y
oh. yes, ma am: was maid at all work :"
"Indeed Let me hear what was required Q
you? ~
WHY, ma am | had to rise at six in the morn
ing-light kitchen fre-kitchen to be swept
light drawing-room fire-grate to be thorough
cleaned, fire irons rubbed, drugget and rug to b
taken up and shaken, carpet swept, and ever
. thing removed and thoroughly busted hot wa
ter to be taken up to the bedrooms; breakta'
breakfast at eight O'Clock, during which tinl
passages to be cleaned and bell handle rubbed
, breakfast things to be washed up-kitchen IN
replenished with coal-steps of the door to 3
hearth-stoned-b to be made, and bedroom
to be swept and dusted-slops to be cmptied-
washhand stands to be thoroughly wiped--stail
q swept down and staircase dusted--lamp to
r cleaned and Observation-Disclosures cleaned. La
5 dinner table during dinner, clean up kitchen
: every thing to be washed up and put in place
. dress myself to take out the baby. Tea to
\ ready; after tea, slops to be emptied and bee
!. turned down-baby to be washed and put to be
. Supper at ten o'clock, every thing to be wasl
4 ed up before going to bed. Then, ma am, G
Monday. two bedrooms to be swept and scou
ed, walls busted, and CRATES and fire-irons clea
q ed. Tuesday, water closet to be wei! wash'
# out. and all the washing to be done. Wedne
If day, clean one bedroom, passage and star
q Thursday, drawing-room to be well swept WI
tea leaves, walls busted, CRATE and iire-irons w
Vi cleaned. marble and table covers and outs
n windows to be well washed with soap and watt
o and every blind to be moved and busted, a
oSi ironing to be done.-Friday, coppers, and
ofl kitchen utensils to he cleaned, as well as dra
81 inr.room stairs. Saturday, kitchen and ba
kitchen to be thoroughly secured and cleaRe