The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-04
GENTLEMEN'S GENTLEMEN.
auruERs AND BoDY SERVANTS.
Tho Rapidly Increasing Employment OF
These Functionaries in America.

households as buffers and Wallets has during
the last decade increased more rapidly aS
class than any other wage earners In New iorR
citv. WHARF, ono man was employed IN any one
OF these capacities ton years ago. one hundred
are drawing high wages today as semi
ornamental attendants upon wealthy iamiiies.
Al Newport Bar Harbor. and other summer
centres Of fashion the social status OF hostess
is often settled by the number OF stout-limbed.
broad shouldered. gold-laced functionaries
shc is abls to keep for the decoration OF her
establishment Just at present the demand
appears to havc outrun the supply. and well
rocomm ended. accomplished butler has but TO
ask and receive. as far as position ana
wages 90.
The offices OF major Gomo and lveried fun
key are OF foreign importation. In the south.
before tho war. evcry gentleman had what no
called his body servant" besides tho yauer
hoy" that waited in tho dining room. bht
these we're rather crude efforts after the gem
uln, article In tho West, tho groom was
utterly unknown, and even New Workers laid
little stress upon being served 10y men. The
best knickerbocker househodors held that
delft lsht footed maids were quite suiiicleht
fer elegance and comfort: and coaehman
was the solo masculine element to be found in
their household.
Transatlantic travel and the intimate inter-
course bc tween this country and Grcnt Britaln
has introduced tho man servant among u.s.
lIo Is tho direct product OF AnSlo-culture
and tho pump and pride OF riches: ne Is lux
urv. an outward and Impressive proof CT MS
masters MILLIONS. adding immeasurably to
tn" ceremony OF life that Americans oil fortune
are caE ,ry cultiva.ing.
The best buffers in the market are English.
ms n matter of course. The next grade is
French, uttor which ono Ia offered Il doubtful
assortment of Irish. Swcdcs. and Americans.
first class English or Scotch butler can readi-
" command Atty dollars month. have ono
evening in tho week to himself and where the
work Is heavy demand n maid or footnan
TO assist in the pantry. His duties. however.
are somewhat loosely understood in this
country. aud even the best Of thom grow indif-
fcrcnt unless sharply criticised. The French
Solupe',c' is expert. amiabie, and tries faith
fully 10 give satisfaction. But he is frequently
careless in the matter Of bathing and linen
and drspises the very details that 20 to make
a perfect domestic. The Irish butler is almost
always heavy footed and is Il far hcttcr valet
Ssdom 1"t erts NOR maro thnn thirtyGv. dollars
monthly. frets over the restraints OF tho place.
and i pretty sure in tho end to wind up
tho box ~" Thc Swedc is better. ile is
delft adaptable and i often big and blond.
two stroug recommendations with those who
'Ths Americans are the least satisfactory OF the
ln, 1t seems IMPOSSIBLE for them to acquire
tn" deIerential dcmeanor SO desirable or tako
the serious pride in their profession that gives
the English butler such az air Of lofty eAclH-
siveness. They usually feel that domestic
servitu6e il degrading. and are either su!kly
indifferent or Restless and ilnhrrtineht., rten
national humrti"nsn"ss. Men trained for
restaurant or hotel service are ra""ty ayalla-
lie for work in private houses. They never VET
superficial gloss. nhe only really accom-.
risnel servant is on. who has been trained
by u severe disripIin"rian in the pantry: who
has entered n gentleman service as II boy:
worked his way UP - second man. never as,
svns 9L! sG9 } T nn he has mastered
In England they have brought the art of
personal service to approach perfection: yet
ccive the wages paid ordinary men servants
here. y man at the head of u great household
the average America, oren his eye, TO see what
is required o; gentleman's head servant in
England Unless the family is large he is eN;;
is MAJOR domo wi! hout the title lie is supposed
TO rise early. take as, thorough clubbing as
his master. and be down stairs TO set tho
domestic machinery in motion. rs soon AS
tho work is under way he goes to HI. employ
mrs 6sss not M Mav. an bees
possipl" odor OF ink His duties are 70 pre-
make ready to shave h IN. and then receive and
write down his orders for The day He removes
Englishman would dream OF appearing in
garments that were not freshly sronEed and
ter is ready to rise he assists at his toilet.
and. that over. descends ut once to serve
Ny lady then criticises tho menus no sub
mits Tor III next three meals. at the same time
skctchinc her own plans ior,he day. She tels
him what guests are expected. what trains he
must meet. what preparations make. with tho
shopping mailing, and messenger servl''" she
fhn hNF Is
the door, announces callers. and Is always
present TO hand every lady to her carriage and
every Gentlcmen his hat and cane. The but
!er'S spare moments are, OCCUPIED in lacquer
ing his masters boots. brushing and ironing
his clothes. and supervising the household
generally. At - o'clock, himself in fun dress
h" serves tea in the drawing room. and later
nreIs"s ms co maS hnd d3r dinner; Ihat
in every English home. Among other
things he is held responsible, for Tie
marketing and maid7. and bays and arranges
flowers and honhons for the table. His en-
riny"r cNarts that he shall purchase every
iway ticket for the family. look aft er time
ianlrs and baggage. attend departing guests
to the depot; and never lrav" them untII they
which he stands to touch his hat as the train
rolls away.
wants In s'irramc contomrt, and have even less
regard for tho discipline maintained by their
ma,s'.rs: Thi, was proven IN tho case Of an
country da2aed by tales of BIZ. wages. He
Worked for a year or moro. grew honlcsick.
and returned to England. He was soon made
!" realize his mistake. Whenever he applied
for Il lace and showed his last recon ncnda.
ton. dated Boston, ho WIS promptly rejected
They frankly t"l! him they would employ no
one sro,iei by lax American methods. and
after unaNntltn- efforts to rc,istnhlish himself,
tho man was driven lack 10 the United States.
New York city. however. with its vast acru-
mutation OF Wrnlth, IL attracting some highly
accom- llshorl men servants. Every youn.
sprig ut Eloniea nristocrHrv who mr.os II tour
abroad retu.ls 10 '!r..and Il valet ior his ey-
elusive use. IN" Calumet and indeed al tina
Dtlcr~nlirt c!lihs in town, provide wr,,-tlaiu-l
Wallets iOr each suite OF rnDuls- mon whose
dutv 1t * to prcpar" lH'hs. shay, the dodgers
wait uron them at their toilets ard. above an
k""I their wtElroh"S In order some Of tho
newest and highest prIcoi apartment houses
tor mon do the snTr ;hInE, supplying rer-
soma attendants Just H. they do elevator boys
II - rarriJ Que finds rich Americans of ma
older generation who employ Wallets they
rather i"silNn thnm as evidences o. eirrmin-
az; iiut they permit their sons to Indulge
such iuSulouS tastes. and hundrees Of men
not only Keep wallets at nome but tuko
their servants travelling ana even. on
Those positions arc pleasant and paying
Il" lar AS labor Is Concerned. but 1t re-
CURES Patience ana Iliaucy to fulfil tho