The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-01-27
Domestic Life in GERMANY.

teal. One truth Is soon made apparent
to stranger that is, that economy is a
necessity in Germany. In family OF
seven there is usually but one servant
She rises at 5, washes the floor and puts
her own room in order. At the baker
comes, then the man with the milk and
butter (the Germans never put salt in
their butter, so they buy it fresh everv
morning.) 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
off to school at $50 in the summer, and
Z in the winter. This done, in our fam
lily, the maid puts my sitting-room in
order, washes the floor busting the fur
niture and shaking the rugs. At we
have coffee, and by 7:30 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 the rugs thoroughly beaten; then
the maid goes to market to buy the din
ner. There are no supplies in the larder
IN Germany as at home. If cold boiled
ham or any cold meat is needed for sup
per, the maid goes to the butcher and
buys Just enough for the meal
a custom that struck me curiously
was thatof having shops in the base
ments of even the handsomest houses on
the most fashionable streets-butchers
bakers, shoemakers, notion stores, level
ers, all can be found within radius of
block from any given point. 1t is un-
doubtedly convenient for the people, but
= hn of h.
much. My maid has gone to market, 1
believe, so by this time she has returned
and is preparing the second breakfast,
which is served at IL, and consists of
couple of eggs and slice of brown bread
and, perhaps, glass of milk for board.
er; but for the children and the rest of
the family it is usually only a slice of
brown bread an inch and half thick
with little cold meat Occasionally a
cup of chocolate varies the monotony.
Then comes the dinner at 2-soup, meat,
and vegetables and desert; the latter
the children are only allowed to have
Sundays. After the soup has been served
the lady OF the house puts what she in
tends tor the maid in dish, and on no
account would servant be allowed to
take more than has been given her. The
same plan is followed with meat and veg.
etables. Alter the dinner dishes are
washed and the kitchen put in order, the
maid dresses and takes the children out
for walk In the park, returning in time
Tor o'clock coffee, which even the little
Swear old boy of my landlady drank
every day. 1t was problem to me how
these children kept their health with
coffee In the morning aud afternoon and
night. | am sure American children
conld not endure it.
At s 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 house so that
lessons the work Of the one maid very
materially. All bread, cakes, pies, and
even buildings, 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
$2O year, and in many families only
$l2 They are allowed one Sunday even
ing out in two weeks, and if they should
come home later than they promised,
they do not go out again for month.
All disputes between mistress and maid
are settled by the police. In one house
l was In, the quarrels were so frequent
that one policeman, at least, was there
most of the time.
German women are much interested in
their housekeeping; they obey their hus-
bands religiously, because they have to,
and are very fond of fancy work and
gossip. They are very tenacious of their
titles, and if a lady's husband is a doctor
or professor, and you do not call her frau
doctor or frau professor, you offend her
mortally. l told my German teacher
that had some friends in Berlin whom
had met some years ago in Rome, and
asked how should address the lady, az
was going there to dine. I thought the
gentleman's title was Juatizirath; then I
might call her Frau Justizirath. But"
l said, he is also Gaheimerath. "Oh.
then, that is still higher, and she must
be called Frau Gahemerath." Later on
In this conversation / mentioned that he
was also professor in the university. The
look Of smazement and surprise I got.
and the way IN which she said How
lucky that you told me you must call
her Frau Professor" convinced me that
l would have made serious mistake if
/ had used either of the fret mentioned
titles.-E1oD1 q Girls Letter, IN the "
Y. Christian AyUocate