The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-15

/ fort; and a coachman was the sole mas
! culine element to be found in their house.
/ hold
Transatlantic travel and the intimate in
! tercourse between this country and Great
/ Britain has introduced the man servant
among US. He is the direct product Of
| Anglo-cutture and the pomp and pride Of
| riches; he is luxury, an outward and inn
pressive proof Of his masters millions.
adding immessurably 60 the ceremony OF
life that Americans of fortune are eagerly
cultivating.
The best buffers in the market are En-.
! glish, as a matter of course. The next
! grade Is French, after which one is offered
| a doubtful assortment Of Irish Swedes and
Americans. A tirst-class English or Scotch
| butler can readily command $50 a month,
have one evening in the week to himself
and where the work is heavy, demand a
| maid or footman to assist in the pantry,
| His duties, however, are somewhat loosely
| understood in this country, and even the
oess OF them grow indifferent unless sharply
| criticized. The French SomneLier is ex-
pert. amiable, and tries faithfully to give
satisfaction. But be is frequently careless
In the matter OF bathing and linen,
an1 despises the very details that go to
make perfect domestic. The Irish butler
Is almost always heavy footed, and is far
better valet or coachman than dining room
servant. He seldom gets more than S35
monthly, frets over the restraints Of the
| place. and is pretty sure in the end to wind
| up holding the reins or as second man on
the box. The Swede is better. He is deft.
adaptable. and is often big and blonde, two
strong recommendations with those who
prize an impressive, digni6ed presence. The
Americans are the least satisfactory OF the
| lot. 1t seems impossible for them to ac-
auire the deferential demsanor so desirable
| or take the serious pride in their
profession that gives the English but
Ter such an air of lofty exclusive
ness. They usually feel that domestic
servltude ls degrading, and are either sulk-
lily Indifferent or restless and impertinent.
Even livery and buttons are unable to
subdue the national bumptiousness. Men
trained for restaurant or hotel service ara
rarely available for work In private houses.
They never lose their SLOPPY gait, confid-
ing manner and superficial gloss The only
really accomplished servant is one who has
been trained by severe disciplinarian in
the pantry; who has entered gentleman's
service as boy worked his way up as
second man, never assuming full control
until he has mastered every nicely of his
business.
In England they have brought the art of
personal service to approach perfection yet
only the stewards of great establishments
receive the wages paid ordinary men serv-
ants here. A man at the head Of a great
household is satisfied with els month. Il
would make the average American open
his ev"s to SEQ what is required Of gentle
man b az va It in England. Unless the
fanny IS large he is expected to manage
without second man, and is major domo
without the title. He is supposed to rise
early, take as thorough a Tubing as his
master land be down stairs to set the dome.s
tic machinery in motion. AS soon as the
work is under way he goes TO his employ
er's apartment, carrying hot water and the
morning papers. These last have all been
carefully aired and dried to dissipate any
possible odor Of ink. His duties are to pre-
pare his masters bath, lay out his things,
make ready to shave him, and then receive
and write down his orders for the day. He
removes from the room every article of
clothing worn the evening previous, as no
well-groomed Englishman would dream Of
appearing in garments that were not freshly
sponged ana pressed after each wearing.
When his master is ready to rise he assists
at his toilet, aud, that over, descends at
once to serve breakfast.
Ny LADY then criticises the menus he
submits for the next three meals, at the same
time sketching her own plans for the day.
She tells him what guests are expected,
what trains he must meet, what prepara-
tions to make, with the shopping, mailing
ard messenger service she will require.
DuTluR tHo H1OTDluR ne 2CD0nQs the door,
announces callers, and is always present to
hand every lady to her carriage and every
gentleman his hat and cane. The buffers
spare moments are occupied in lacquering
his masters boots. brushing and ironing bis
clothes, and supervising the household
generally. At 3 O'Clock, himself
in full dress, he serves tea
dresses his master for dinner That is an
O'Clock and elaborate function in every
English home. Among other things he is
held responsible for the weekly bills, is sup
posed to direct the marketing and maids,
and buys and arrapges flowers and bonbons
for the table, His employer ex-
acts that he shall purchase every
railway ticket for the family, look after
the time tables and baggage, attend de-
parting guests to the depot, and never leave
them until they are satisfactorily settled in
their coach. by which he stands to touch
his hat as the train rolls away.
Engiishmen, as a rule, hold American
servants in supreme contempt, and have
even less regard for the discipline main
tanned by their masters. This was proven
in the case of an ambitious British butler,
who came to this country dazzled by tales
of big wages. He worked for a year or
more, grew homesick and returned
to England. He was soon made to
realize his mistake. Whenever he applied
for place and showed his last recommends
ton, dated Boston. he was rejected.
They frankly told him they would employ
no one spoiled by lax American
methods. and after unavailing efforts to es-
tablish himself, the man was driven back
to the United States.
New York city, however, with its vast
accumulation Of wealth. is attracting some
highly accomplished men servants. Every
young sprig Of moneyed aristocracy who
makes tour abroad returns to demand a
valet for his exclusive use. The Calumet,
and indeed all the other smart clubs Ia
town, provide well-trained Wallets for
each suite of roomS-men whose duty
it is to prepare baths, shave the dodgers,
wait upon them at their toilets, and, above
all, keep their wardrobes in order. Some
OF the newest and highest priced apartment
houses for men do the same thing, supply
ing personal attendants just as they do ele-
vator boys.
1t is rarely one finds rich Americans of
the older generation who employ valets
They rather despise them as evidences OF
effeminacy. But they permit their sons
to indulge such luxurious tastes. and hun
dreds of men not only keep Wallets at home,
but take their servants travelling, and even
on visits to country houses about New ork.
Those positions are pleasant and paying
as far as labor is concerned, but it requires
patience and pliancy to fulfil the duties sat-
isfactorilV The valet is not snuu1sad tn