The record-union., 1891-04-12
BRITISH Life BELOW STAIRS.
Danes of the Duster and Lords
of the Ladle.
Entertaining and Informing Paper on
ervice, Servants and Mimicry of
High Life Below Stairs In England,
Scotland and Ireland.
Especial Correspondence of the SUNDAY
UNION. Copyright, 1891

USPSSAd1 Correspondence OF the SUNDAY
UNION. Copyright, 1871
LONDON (Eng.), March "a, 1891.
There is in Great Britain n line of no
blnty, not set down in "Burke's Peer
age," as rigorous in distinctions, as un-
yielding in established rights and tradi-
tions, as impregnable against innovations,
and as naughty in the enjoyment of its
caste and privileges, as that authenticated
nobility and aristocracy which its differ
ent ranks as often rule as serve. These
are the lords and 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
politics may boil in Ireland, stew in
Wales and Scotland, and simmer in Eng
land, the real United Kingdom, imper-
turbable to politics, calm and impassive
in the face of commercial disaster or So
cial change, is held together as with ribs
of steel, rivets Of copper, and cappings of
brass, by the adamantine solidarity of
this invincible nobility-the British
DANES of the duster, ladies of lap-dog and
luggage, lords of the ladle, barons of bells
and boots and peers of the pantries and
pots.
AS a result of several years observa-
ton, I should say that the chief charac-
ter1stlc of the British servant, whom we
may fairly call the English servant, is a
neyer-tailing consciousness, and insist
ance upon the cogniZance 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 class of servants in the world that
gains so much through the same charac-
terlStlc In certain degree of dignity. This
Is the African. However much you may
elevate" and educate the latter, place
them in any form of service and the old
consciousness of propriety in distinctions
instantly returns, and with it the fine,
though often pathetic, dignity of them
selves asserting the distinction. The true
man or woman of service possesses real,
Il sometimes somber, pride in serving a
real gentle man, or real gentle lady; and
While you may not find the Africans
amlabllity in an apparent unconscious
defining ofrelations, in your English serv-
ant II is the one unYarylng rule of feel
ing, thought and action of his, or her,
whole life, to truly serve the truly noble
and considerate, and to truly rule by end
less insistance of rights, perQuisites and
traditional dignities, the ignoble and the
parvenue.
The number, wages and ways of the
oOA e~AANS Gu oIlu dDOUl ll16 great
halls, seats and castles of Britain almost
tell the story of their masters. First and
foremost is the steward, who is RESPONSE
bic to Milford and lady for the entire
establishment, the servants, hiring of
servants, and the purchase of all neces-
sites such as food, except meats, which
is invariably the perquisite of the cook.
The steward receives $50, and an unlin-
tied 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 a soul and
physique of iron. She usually has entire
charge of the details of all domestic mat
ters; holds the keys to every private
apartment and secret compartment; with
her assistant makes, lays and repairs all
carpets; cleans and rehangs all tapestries:
frequently originally 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 at
tends to the interminable cleaning and
waxing Of floors. She receives from G20
to e25 per year, having under her from
one to two assistant housekeepers. whose
yearly wages are from 912 to el6. In a.
SCLC1o1 way ttl0 lSIlldl6 servants OF
the place are amenable to the head house
keeper, who is at no time away from her
post.
The next Of these in grade is perhaps
the goyernesS. This necessary though
unfortunate person is expected to edu-
cate and form the manners and morals,
to the age of u, 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 instruct upon
the piano and harp. In fact, she must be
the superior, companion and servant of
her charges. Her compensation is $40 to
$50 per annum, and many opportunities
for intrigue. In the greatest houses she
is allowed two, and sometimes three,
nurserymaidS at from 5e10 to e16 each.
There is an upper housemaid at el6; an
under housemaid at el2, and from two to
four assistant housemaids at G10, all really
under control of the housekeeper.
But the ladies' maids, who are RESPONSE
BILE only to their mistresses. hold what are
regarded as the most desirable positions;
insomuch as, while the most exacting
duties are required, they receive from
ESQ to ESQ per year, while their oppor-
tunities for travel and sightseeing are
unlimited. The lady's maid is usually a
young woman of excellent education, and
traordinary patience and finesse. To
follow her in one days duties would as
sure any one of all that. Her breakfast
must be taken while milady 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 chamber must be righted and aired,
and the morning dresses arranged. 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 GUS
tomary to give her new cloths to cut,
but she must he competent in all
repairing and even in cleaning and
remaking 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 necessary shopping. After lunch hour
her ladyship is dressed for going out, or
the round of sewing, or mending, getting
out her ladyship's 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 finery
removed and bits of fresh lace added here
and there, when she is prepared to fold,
seal and post such letters as her ladyship
may have written just after dinner, by
which hour the ordeal Of placing her
titled ward in full evening costume is at
hand This passed, the maid may busy
herself getting costumes for the morrow
in order; perhaps steal out for half hour
with the bridesmaids coterie; but woe be
to her if she is not smilingly in waiting
on her ladyship's return, with the latter's
chamber in perfect order for retiring, at
ri, ha anI fbo1, liau doxr,,