The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-17

daily life, that the best servant to him
is the trained English second man."
Men of other nationalities seek positions
in vain now, and the best recommends
ton valet can bring with him is a but
ler's note saying that he was in the en-
ploy of Sir Somebody or Lord Somebody,
and that his work was to the satisfaction
of the nobleman.
The English valet knows his position.
The French and the German valet are
exclusive and will not go beyond GER
tain limits in their work. The English
man is trained TO serve as waiter at
dinner if there is call for his services at
the country home in which his employer
happens to be staying. He Is exceedingly
dutiful and not obsequious. There are a
few Southern men in New York who keep
coIored servants in the position of Wallets,
but no Northern man OF fashion would
think of engaging one. There are no rea-
sonable objections in this matter, for the
colored valet viii work Tor less and Will
perhaps work longer and more industri-
ously than his white brother servant; yet
it is not English, you know, to engage one
of them, and so George must confne
his service to opening doors In fashionable
residences and at swell clubs.
There are now in New York perhaps 200
English Wallets, most OF whom have served
the nobility across the ocean. One of the
most fashionable men in New York has in
his employ Herbert Lykins, who was the
valet OF Sir Charles Dixie for at least five
years.
Edwin Gould has notable English valet
in the person of the man who served a
Young English duke until a year ago,
when he came TO America with the best
of references and went directly TO the
service here.
Not every man Of fashion is aware of
what is in style and what is not in style
when accepting an invitation 10 a country
home about New York, at least with refer
ence to the valet. As rule bear in mind
that the valet is not wanted. Iou are in
yited not he and unless the invitation is
explicit on this point no valet should be
taken.
When the guest reaches the country
uslace whose hospitality he is 10 enjoy for
a few DAYS he viii find q servant at hand
TO do all the work that his valet Is accus-
toned TO perform for him.
There is reason for tins difference be-
tween the American and English custom.
In the former the home IS not as large
ano.roomy as the magnificent palaces of
English noblemen. There II Is the custom
to be accompanied by the valet, who In
tur,t takesa place among the servants al
the hail aud follows the orders OF the but
Ter or steward without a question. he
waits upon table if asked and devotes all
his leisure time 10 carrying out the orders
OF the chief servant Of the place.
In the American country home IL has
become the custom to appoint valet Tor
three or four of the bachelors in
vited. When the guest comes home
from his afternoon drive be iinds has re-
ception clothes laid out for him just as
they would he if he were AT home HIS
ba,h is turned on in the morning, has
clothes are pressed and his spotiess linen
lies ready for use near his bed. just as
though he we're At home and enjoying the
services of his own valet
When you are travelling on business II
is perhaps Mise 10 he accompanied by your
valet. provided YOU are man OF fashion
and can afford 10 keep one IN your pay.
Elisha Dv,r never travels without his
Japanese servant. The Cutting boys are
always valeted in proper shape when they
travel. 80 IS Creighton Webb.-lspeclal
Corresp oudencel
New York Ian IL