Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-04-14
WAKEMAN'S WANDERINGS
BRITISH HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS.
IN No6lLlTVs MIMIC REALM.

Ladle, BarOns OF Bells and Boots and
Peers Of the PAntries and Pots.
Copyright, 1891, by Edgar L wakeman-l
LONDON, March A.-There is in Great
Britain line OF nobility, not set down In
"Burke's Peerage," as rigorous in distinc-
tons, as unyielding in established rights
and traditions, as impregnable against in
novation, and as naughty in the enjoyment
OF its caste and privileges, as that authenti-
Gated nobility and aristocracy which its
different ranks rs often rule as serve. These
are the lords and ladies of that vast and or
dinarily mysterious realm known as the
Below Stairs" Of British life.
They are one and the same in England,
Scotland and Ireland. While British poll
tics 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 CONNER
cial disaster or social change, is held to
/ gether as with ribs Of steel, riyets Of cop
( per and cappings Of brass by the adaman-
tine solidarity Of this invincible nobility
{ the British danes Of the duster, ladies Of
lap dog and luggage, lords Of the ladle. bar
ons Of bells and boots and peers Of the pan
tries and pots.
The number, wages and ways Of the
servants 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 estat-
lishment, the servants. hiring Of servants,
and the purchase Of all ordinary necessi-
ties, such as food, except meats which is
invariably the perquisite Of the cook. The
steward receives eighty pounds, and an
unlimited amount Of noble blackguardinR.
per year.
Next in importance, IL not indeed the
hrst, Is the hOusekeeper.' She IA usually
maiden lady OF severe age, or a widow
culled from poor relations. She must be
a person Of infinite expedieneS, csdfmon
sense, experience, and with a soul and
physique OF iron She Usually has entire
charge Of the detail Of all domestic mat
tels; holds the keys TO every private apart
ment and secret compt ttmsnt; with her
assistants makes. lays aud reraihs ali car
pets; cleans and rehangS ali tapestries;
frequently originally embroiders the finest
Of draperies: packs, uppacks, rehAngs and
drapes all paintings; prepares and marks
with the family crest all linen and laoes;
cares for the statuary, and attends TO the
interminable cleaning and waxingof fioors.
She receives from twenty to TWENTY-FIVE
pounds per year, having under her from
one TO two assistant hOusekeepers, whose
yearly wages are from twelve to sixteen
pounds In a general way all the female
servants OF the place are amenable TO the
head housekeeper, who is at no time Of the
year away from her post.
The next Of these in grade is perhaps the
governess This necessary though unfor-
tunate person Il expected 20 educate and
form the manners and morals, 70 the age
Of twelve, Of the children. She must read.
write, speak and teach French and Ger
man, and be able TO instruct in the rudi- !
ments Of Latin, the sciences and philos- |
ophy. She must sing, and teach vocal |
music, and play and instruct upon the |
piano and harp. In fact, she must be the |
superior, companion and servant of her /
charges. Her compensation is forty pounds |
20 sixty pounds per annum, and many op- |
portunities for intrigue. In the greatest |
houses she is allowed two, and sometimes /
three, nursery maids at from ten pounds 70 |
sixteen pounds each. There is an upper /
housemaid at sixteen pounds; an under |
housemaid at twelve pounds; and from two /
TO four assistant housemaids at ten pounds /
all really under control of the house
keeper.
But the ladies' maids, who are responsi-
BILE only TO their mistresses, hold what are
regarded as the most desirable positions:
insomuch as, while the most exactinQ du-
ties are required, they receive from thirty
pounds TO fifty pounds per year, while their
opportunities for travel and sightseeinga are
unlimited. The lady's maid is usually a
young woman of excellent education, genu-
Inc accomplishments and Of extraordinary
patience and fnesse. To follow her in one
days duties would assure any one of all /
that. Her breakfast must be taken while
milady Is still sleeping, 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 satter
Is at breakfast her chamber must be
righted and aired and the morning dresses
arranged. II her ladyship goes for drives
or ride she must be again dressed for the
same; and while she is absent the maid, /
who in most cases is a thorough modiste.
must busy her fingers at sewing. It is not 4
customary to give her new clothes to cut,
but she must be competent in all repairing.
and even in cleaning and remaking a soiled
She lunches at the same hour
with her mistress, but hurriedly, for IL In
the city she must during this time attend
10 necessary shopping After lunch hour
her ladyship is dressed for going out OF
for receiving at home. Then again comes
the round OF sewing or mending, getting
out her ladyship's dinner gown, etc, and
asserting and polishing her jewels for pos
sible evening wear
Then her mistress must be dressed for
dinner, and after her own dinner Is eaten
The evening costume eomplete must be laid
out. some finery removed and bits Of fresh
Ice added here and there, when she Is pre-
pared to fold, seal and post such letters as
her ladyship may have written just after
Inner, by which hour the ordeal Of placing
her titled wand in full evening costume Is
u hand. This passed, the maid may busy
lersef getting costumes for the morrow
N order, perhaps steal out for half an
lour with the ladies' maids coterie; but woe
,etO her II she is not smilingly In waiting
m her ladyship's return, with the latter's
ihamber in perfect order for retiring, at
which she assists, and then lies down like