Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-09-25

A Letter from Lady, Inquiring
the Character of a Serv ant,

MADAM Bridget buster having applied
to me for place of maid-of-all-work, beg
to learn of you, as her last mistress, her fit
ness for the serious duties and responsible
ties of that situation. Having suffered SO
much from the impertinence and wicked
ness of servants, Il have often thought they
were sent into the world to torment respec-
table people, you will, l am sure, forgive
me if appear somewhat particular in my
inquiries. Experience, madam, has made
me circumspect. There was time when
thought all the world was as good and as
honest as myself; but housekeeping wipes
the blood from the human heart, and makes
us lock our tea-caddies.
have kept house for five and twenty
years, in which time have constantly en-
deavored to find servant who should be
without fault; yet, though | have given
eight pounds year, with tea and sugar
would you believe it II have never once
succeeded. However, must say, like
the face of Bridget; | never saw deeper
smallpox. AS for handsome servants
never have 'em; they always think more of
their faces than their fire irons, and are
puckering up their mouths at the looking
glass when they should be rubbing the door
plate. Curls, too, | never suffer to cross
my threshold. know of more than one
instance in which curls have destroyed the
peace of a family. For my money, SER
want can't be too plain; in word, think
ugliness to be a sort of cheap livery intend
ed by nature for maids-ofall-works--it keeps
'em in their proper place, and prevents
them thinking of foolishness. So far Bird
gets looks are most satisfactory.
And now, ma'am, for the article of dress.
Servants never have been servants since
llnsey-woolsey went out. 1t makes my
very flesh creep to see 'em Haunting about
for all the world as if they were born to
silk gloves and open.work in their stock
ings. l have seen house-maid 90 out for
the day with a parasoI | prophesied her
end, and poor wretch so it came about
What l have suffered, too, from such pre-.
sumption | once had creature who cop.
led every new capI had-violating my best
feelings under my own roof! Bridget looks
like an humble dresser, fit for kitchen
trust she is.
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,
withall, ones brandy is never safe
In the next place, does Bridget break ?
Not but what l can always make my SER
wants pay for what they destroy; still they
can't pay for ones nerves. And again,
there is this danger: they may break be-
yond their wages.
Is Bridget honest! Pray, madam, be
particular on this point, for l have been
much deceived. once took servant with
the finest character for honesty; and only
week afterwards detected her giving three
cold potatoes to little hurdy-gurdy for
eigner with white mice
Is Bridget civil? Will she bear whole
some reproof? A servant who answers il
my abomination. 1t is clearly flying in thu
face Of the best interests OF society. Surel
people who pay wages have right to flint
what fault they please; it is the natura
privilege that marks the mistress from tn
maid would have a severe law to pun
ish the servant who answers-even if right
Is Bridget an early riser, without an
reference to the time she may be allowed t
60 to bed! A good maid-of-alI-work should
so to speak, be like a needle, and Away
sleep with one eye open.
Has Bridget any followers Such crea
lures | never allow. conceive that ser
want ought to be sort of nun, and, iron
the moment she enters your house, sh
takes leave of all the world besides. Fla
she not her kitchen for willing hands al
ways to do something in? And then fo
company, doesn't she see the butcher, an,
the baker, and the dustman-to say nothin,
of the sweeps?
Is Bridget industrious !-is she clean
l hope for the poor creatures sake tina
you may be able to answer these few ques
tons to my satisfaction, when Bridget ma
Immediately begin her boxes. With me he
duties Will he few. but they. must be nunc
tually performed. Indeed, | require SCI
want to consider herself a kind of huma
clock. She must have no temper, no suIk
no fesh-and-blood feelings, as I've hear
impudent hussies call their airs and grace
but must go regularly through the work
though she was made of steel springs an
brass pulleys. For such person there
happy home in the house of your obed
ent servant,
PERMILLA SHAW.