Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-12
THE BELOW STAIRS.
Something About the Rank and
Rights of British Servants.
EACH INSISTS ON HIS PLACE,
The Distinctions Drawn In the Great Halls,
Seats and Castles.
WAGES PAID AND DUTIES REQUIRED

ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPATcH.1
LONDON, ENGLAND, April 2.-There is
in Great Britain line of nobility not set
down in "Burke's Peerage," as rigorous in
distinctions, as unyielding in established
rights and traditions, as impregnable
against innovation, and as naughty in the
enjoyment of its caste and privileges as
that authenticated nobility and sristocracy
which its different ranks as often rule as
serve. These are the lords aud ladies of
that vast and ordinarily mysterious realm
known as the "Below Stairs" of British
life.
They are one and the same in England,
Scotland and Ireland. While British pol
itics may boil in Ireland, stew in Wales
and Scotland and simmer in England, the
real United Kingdom, imperturbable to
politics, calm and impassive in the face of
commercial disaster or social change. is
held togeth er as with ribs of steel, rivets of
copper and cappings of brass, by the ada
mantine solidarity of this invincible nobil-
ity-the British danes of the duster, ladies
of lapdog and luggage, lords of the ladle.
barons OF bells and boots and peers of the
pantries and pots.
The Place Must Be r ecognized.
As a result of several years observation.
should say that the chief characteristic of
the British servant, whom we may fairly
call the English servant, is a never
failing consciousness, and inslstance
upon the eognizance by all others, of his,
or her, exact place, whatever that place
may be. Because of this, much else may
be condoned. There is only one other
alace Of aarvo nfe in ho xpnrld fhof On
much through the same characteristic in a
certain degree of dignity. This is the
African. However much you may ''ele-
vate" and educate the latter, place them in
any form of service and the old conscious
ness of propriety in distinctions instantly
returns, and with it the fine, though often
pathetic, dignity Of themselves asserting
the distinction.
The true man or woman of service pos
sesses real, if sometimes sopber, pride in
serving real gentle man or real
gentle lady; and while you may
not find the Africans amiabil1ty, in an
apparent unconscious defining of relations,
in your English servant, it is the one un-
varying rule of feeling, thought and action
of his, or her, whole life, to truly serve the
truly noble and considerate, and to truly
rule, by endless insistance of rights, per-
quisites and traditional dignities, the ig-
noble and the parvenu.
Servants II ighest in Rank.
The number, wages and ways of the serv-
ants employed in and about the great halls,
seats and castles of Britain almost tell the
story of their masters. First and foremost
is the steward, who is responsible to MILFORD
and lady for the entire establishment, the
servants, hiring of servants, and the pur-
chase of all ordinary necessities such as
Il Al
perquisite of the cook. The steward re-
ceives ESQ. and an unlimited amount of
noble Safeguarding. per year.
Next in importance, if not indeed the
first, is the housekeeper. She is usually
maiden lady of severe age, or a widow
culled from poor relations. She must be
person of infinite expediency, common
sense, experience, and with q soul and
physique of iron. She usually has entire
charge of the details of all domestic matters;
holds the keys to every private apartment
and secret compartment; with her assistants
makes, lays and repairs all carpets; cleans
and re-hangs all tapestries; frequently Or
iginally embroiders the finest of draperies;
packs, unpacks, re-hangs and drapes all
paintings; prepares and marks with the
family crest all linen and laces; cares for the
statuary, and attends to the interminabIe
cleaning and waxing of floors. She receives
from 220 to R25 per year, having under her
from one to two assistant housekeepers,
whose yearly wages are from a12 to R16.
In a general way, all the female servants of
the place are smensble to the head house.
keeper who ID at no time Of the year away
from her post.
Accomplishments of the Governess.
The next of these in grade is perhaps the
governess. This necessary though unfortu-
81 I'D -
the manners and morals. to the age of II, of
the children. She must read. write, speak
and teach French and German, and be able
to instruct in the rudiments OF Latin, the
sciences and philosophy. She must sing
and teach vocal music, and play and in
struct upon the piano and harp. In fact,
she must be the superior, COM
panion and servant Of her charges
Her compensation Is e40 to ECO
per annum, and many opportunities for in
trigue. In the greatest houses she is al.
lowed two, and sometimes three, nursery
maids at from e10 to R16 each. There is an
upper housemaid at e16, an under house.
maid al a12, and from two to four assistant
housemaids at a10, all really under the con-
troll of The housekeeper.
But the ladies' maids, who are response
BILE only to their mistresses, hold what are
regarded as the most desirable positions, in
somuch as, while the most exacting duties
are required, they receive from ESQ to ESQ
per year, while their opportunities for travel
and sightseeing are unlimited. The ladies'
maid is usually young woman of excellent
education and genuine accomplishments,
and of extraordinary patience and finesse.
To follow her in one days duties would as
sure anyone of all that. Her breakfast
must be taken while mi1ady is still Sleep
ing, for when she wakens her cup of cocoa
must be ready, after which the bath is
given and milady's hair and toilet "done."
While the latter Is at breakfast her cham
ber must be righted and aired and the
morning dresses arranged.
Duty for Every Moment.
If her ladyship goes for drive or ride, she
must be again dressed for the same; and
while she is absent the maid, who in most
cases is thorough modiste, must busy her
fingers at sewing. 1t is not customary to
give her new cloths to cut, but she must be
competent in all repairing, and even in
cleaning and remak;ng a soiled costume.
She lunches at the same hour with her
mistress, but hurriedly, for, if in the city,.
she must during this time attend to neces-
sary shopping. After lunch hour her lady.
ship is dressed for going out or for receiving
at home. Then again comes the round of
sewing or mending. getting out her lady
ships dinner gown, etc., and asserting and
polishing her jewels for possible evening
wear. Then her mistress must be dressed
for dinner; and after her own dinner is
eaten, the evening costume complete must
be laid out, some fnery removed and bits of
fresh lace added here and there; when sine is
prepared to fold, seal and post such letters
L IL