New-York tribune., 1875-10-04
ADVERTISEMENTS AND FAMILY LIFE

III
The more closely we look into the adj
vertising columns of THE TRIBUNE from
day to day the more curious becomes the
study of the domestic and social lie
which we see behind them. A new class
of advertisers appeared with the close OF the
Summer vacation: the keepers of boarding
houses at the sea shore, or in the mountains to
which physicians are beginning to send their
patients during the Fall and Winter. Some
body wrote an amusing paper year or two
ago on the expediency OF roofing over CITY
with glass to be haven of refuge for IN
valids from October until April, where they could
find O well warmed and equable atmos-
phere, while the thermometer outside was
capering up and down at the rate OF 6O de-
grees in days time. As that plan was hardly
practicable, the victims of consumption and
neuralgia hed-a frightened host pursued by
Death-from one end of the country to the
other or across the sea in search of air which
was not his fatal breath to Minnesota, st.
Augustine Aiken, Santa Barbara, Nice, or
Derbaps two or three of these places during
the year. This was more costly way OF eS-
caping death than most people OF moderate
means could afford; and besides, there was
ALWAYS the certainty Of the loss Of home com
forts and home care Within a year or two
orr most skillful physicians have tried, and with
success, the experiment of sending their patients
to Atlantic City, Long Branch, or some noun
tain retreat the salt moisture of the sea coast
having been found of great value in nervous
diseases, and the rarer, drier air of the noun
tans as beneficial in affections of the lungs
and throat. An elevation of fifty feet has
been known to cure asthma, and 1.-THE OF
that distance to enable the pursued victim to
escape certain kinds of malaria. The subject
of the influence of the atmosphere on diseases
is, however, but little understood even by med
zeal men, perhaps because that influence varies
with the physical idOsyncraSies OF each lndi-
yidual. There are, as will be seen by reference
to our columns, houses open for the Winter at
different localities where the invalid can buy
for himself almost every variety of climate at
a few hours distance from New York.
The clearest glimpse, however, into Ameri-
can family life, its needs, preferences, and
aversions can be obtained through the columns
of Situations and Help Wanted particularly
those regarding domestic servants. We are
struck, first, by the fact of the rapidity with
which national peculiarities or character tell
in business relations, even of the smallest
kind Our Irish cousins, with their tact
genial kindliness, and keen. nimble wit
find here, as everywhere else, ready EN-
ployment as travelling agents or statesmen.
When they have added to these national traits
education and breeding, they have always held
the KEY to the highest paths in the professions
A few drops of Celtic blood is not a bad quail
ifcation for lawyer preacher, politician, or
for any career in which there is talking to be
done. But sharp wit and warm affections and
imagination are not the best requisites in cooks
and chambermaids; and the finest peasantry
in the world fit as badly into American as
into English kitchens. We do not as GUS
tom, when advertising for help, add the usual
London caution, No Irish need apply, but as
will be seen by reference to the list
of Situations Wanted, applicants are Ill
haste to state the cheerful fact that
they are ScOtch-Irish, or Welsh, or
Swedes whenever it is possible. There are GER
tain qualities which fit the North OF Ireland
men and women for entering family Ill any
position of trust. They are neat frugal, hon
orable, and Obstinately set in their ways"
Once place one of these gray-eyed, high-feat-
ured Johns or Sarahs in a good way of doing
your work, and you may trust them to go on
in it for years, provided you do not interfere
or change it whit. Change even for the bet
ter is a matter for which they have as
much contempt as for the opinions of
other people than themselves. This class,
with the Swedes, and few China
men, are coming to the front in the
ranks of domestic service in the seaboard
cities. The effect has been prompt and sig
nifcant Wages, which always in this country
have rated higher for this kind Of labor than
any other, are assuming more reasonable pro-
portions, and are oftener graded in accordance
with the quality of the work. They are still
unreasonably out of proportion with the ether
expenses of living and the pay of skilled
mechanics or educated women, when the board
! (as good as the employer can furnish) is taken
into account. The London Times of late date
! in its advertising columns gives clear idea
of the difference in wages here and there for
household service. A "hOuseheepcr to take
charge of an establishment of four
" or five servants expects 1925 per annum
a "lady's maid, thorough, neat seamstress
and willing to assist with children" wants
| 800; cook, competent for pastry, creams,
entrees,' 1925; an upper nurse thorough,
" speaking French 800; q scullcry maid,
| $50. These do not urge their own claims, as
has been the habit among us of the multitude
of ladies willing to take in washing" or to
take charge of our chambeTworl for consid-
Grafton, but are strongly recommended by their
employers, and are brought forward IS
! stout middlc-aged, or active young won n.
In such provincial towns as Glasgow,
Cork, ETC., the unskilled workwomen to
whom we pay from $l2 to $40 per