Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-05-29
A stir in the Kitchen.


From the London Punch.I .
Emulous of the example of her Gale
donian sister, the English female do
mestic servant is about to initiate a
movement to better herself, and to form
an association to protect her interests
against that worst of all tyrants, des-
pots, enemies, oppressors and down
treaders-" Missis. Preliminary con-
ferences have already been held in halls
and kitchens of the highest respectable
ity, and as soon as the weather is finally
settled, a great open-air meeting will be
called at an hour convenient to those
whom a hard fate compels to dish up a
late dinner, at which the following pro-
gramme will be recommended for adop-
ton, as essential to the comfort, happi-
ness, self-respect and independence Of
all those whom circumstances
oblige to resort to domestic service for
their livelihood: lllts siIt3I
No servant to accept an engagement
until she has first received satisfactory
character of the mistress who is anxious
to secure her assistance.
Public waiting-rooms to be establish
ed, at which mistresses shall attend lat
their own cost, to be inspected and
questioned by their intending employees.
No servant TO permit, on any pretext,
the slightest difference in the quality or
quantity of the provisions supplied to
the parlor and the kitchen. The best
tea to be provided, and an absolute pro-
hibition to be placed upon the use Of
moist sugar.
No mistress to enter her own kitchen
without giving previous notice of her
intention to its occupants.
No cupboards, sideboards, store-rooms,
or cellars to be kept locked. ~
Free access to the beer-barrel
No servant to be rung up in the morn
ing, or expected to retire to rest at a
certain hour at night.
No interference to be allowed with
servants dress, of which she is to be
considered the best and only Judge.
Artificial flowers, wells, jewelry, parasols,
chignons and high-heeled boots to pass
unQuestioned and unnoticed.
Z No restriction to be placed on kitchen
company. Male friends to have the
entree to that apartment whenever it
may be agreeable to them. (This last
stipulation to be sine qua non.
Cold meat to be eaten only at break
fast, luncheon, tea and supper. W tf.
Charwomen to be engaged to under
take such onerous and disagreeable du-
ties as washing, scrubbing, black-leading
CRATES, lighting fires, and preparing the
rooms for the reception of the family in
the morning, making beds, cleaning
boots and knives, etc.
Servants with musical tastes and ac-
quirements to be allowed the use of the
piano.
A supply Of newspapers, magazines,
and reviews, and subscription to a cir
culating library for the extensive accom-
mediation of the kitchen.
The total abolition of the irksome and
barbarous custom of washing at home.
All such degrading terms as place"
wages" character" and "maid-of-
all-wsrk,'' to be forbidden; and, in their
stead, situation" or engagement"
salary" =" testimonials" and general
domestic to be employed, The word
kitchen to be gradually discontinued
in favor Of Servants Apartment"
Two halfholidays a week. Vacations
at Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide,
and months leave of absence in the
summer without any deduction from
salary, for the seaside, the Continent
etc.
An evening party once a month.
The Sunday question to be a matter
of special negotiation; but all leave Of
absence on that day to be considered to
apply to the whole of it, and no hour to
be fixed for the return of domestics to
their duties at night.
All salaries to be paid in advance and
to be entitled to draw as much |
as they please en- that account.
Servants not to be required to give |
warning, but all existing customs, as re-
CARDS notice, wages etc., on the part of
employers, to remain in full force.
The extension of the franchise to do
mestic servants.