Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12
DOMESTIC LIFE IN GERMANY.
What the Servant DOes-The Meals-Wo.
mems Titles.

The domestic machinery of the Germans is
much simpler than ours and in many respects
more economical and practical. One truth is
soon made apparent to a stranger; that is, that
economy is necessity in Germany. In family
of seven there is usually but one servant. She
rises at 3, washes the floor and puts her own
room in order. At 6 the baker comes, then
the man with the milk and butter
(the Germans never put salt in their
butter, SO they buy 1t fresh every MORN
ing. The children are awakened and the
maid helps them to dress. then makes the coffee
and serves it, first to the older children who
are obliged TO be of to school at $50 in the
summer and . in the winter. This done, in
our family, the maid puts my sitting-roOm in
order, washes the floor, busting the furniture
and shaking the rugs. At we have coffee and
by $50 1 am ready to begin my work. After
the rest of the family are served with coffee
and rolls, the sleeping and other rooms are put
in order, each floor being washed or waxed and
goes to the market to buy the dinner There
are no supplies in the larder in Germany as at
home. II cold boiled ham or any cold meat is
needed for supper the maid goes to the butcher
and buys just enough tor the meal.
A custom that struck me curOusly was that
OF having shops In the easements of even the
handsOmeSt houses ON the most fashionable
streets-butchers, bakers, shoemakers notion
stores, jewellers, all can be found within a
undoubtedly convenient for the people, but it
mars the beauty OF the streets very much.
My maid has gone TO market, believe, SO by
this time she has returned and is preparing the
second breakfast. which is served at II, and
consists of a couple of eggs and slice of brown
anu the ss of milk 70,
the family it is usually only a slice of brown
bread an inch and a half thick with little
varies the monotony. Then comes the dinner
at 2-sOup, meat and vegetable and dessert.
the latter the children are only allowed
to have Sundays. After the soup has been
served the lady of the house puts what She i'm.
tends for the maid in a dish, and on no account
would a servant be allowed to take more than
had been given her. The same plan is followed
with meat and vegetables. After the dinner.
dishes are washed and the kitchen put In order
walk in the Aerk, returning in time for five
O'Clock coffee Which even the little thyee.vear.
old boy of my landlady drank every day. 1t
was problem to me how these children kent
their health with coffee in the morning and at
ternoOn and at night. am sure American
children could not endure it.
At supper is eaten; cold meats tea or milk
or beer, and bread and butter compose the meal
The laundry work is always done out of the
very materially. All bread cakes pies and
even puddings, are bought ready made-as we
say OF Clothes The bread is much better than
ours, because IT is always thoroughly done
A good maid is not paid more than 500 a
year. and in many families only So They are
allowed one Sunday evening out in two weeks,
and If they should come home tier than thew
have promised they do not go out again for n
month. All disputes between mistress and
mouse
l was in the quarrels were SO FREQUENT thai
one policeman, at least, was there most of the
time. ~
German women are much interested in tbe,,
housekeeping; they obey their husbands reIigi.
ously, because they h e to, and are very fond
OF fancy work and-gossip. They are very tena.
cious of their titles. and II ladys husband is q
doctor or professor and you do not call her frau
doctor or frau professor you offend her mortally
1 told my German teacher that / had some
friends In Berlin whom had met some wears
ago In Rome and asked how / should address
4 the lady, as 1 was going there to dine
thought the gent!eman's title was Justizirath
| then might call her Frau Justizirath. But.
| ! said, "he is also Gaheimerath." "Oh, then
that Is still higher and she must be called Fra,
Geheimerath. Later on in this conversation
mentioned that he was also professor in tho
| university. The look OF amazement and sur
prise got, and the way in which she said
How lucky that you told me; you must cal
4 her Frau Professor, convinced me that woult
| nave made o serious mistake il had usef
| either OF the first mentioned tit!es.-From Z
! Gtrfs Letter ~ the Ne,e York Christson Advocate