The Penn's Grove record., 1893-05-19
DOMESTIC DISCIPLINE IN THE
SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
BY H. A o

Three centuries ago, domestic ser
wants appear to have been very much
what they are to-day, at least II we
NAV Judge from the rules laid down
for their conduct in a family OF some
eminence. The following ''orders for
household servants" were first devised
by John Harrington, in the year 1856,
and renewed by John Harrington,
some of the said John, in the year
1892; the said John, The some, being
then High Shrieve of the County Of
Somerset" lmprlmis, any servant
absent from mathis or vespers without
lawful excuse, to be alleged within
twenty-four hours, should forfeit two
pence. Profanity was prohibited, with
q penalty of one penny fine for each
offence. II one carelessly left a door
open in the winter-tims he was fined
n penny.
No man servant was to lie in bed
after six O'Clock in the morning, or to
be ont Of bed after ten O'Clock at night,
between Lady-day and Michaelmas;
aud during the other six months, seven
A. NJ. was the hour fixed for rising,
and nine P. NJ. for retiring, Some
thing on Charles Lambs principle of
going away early to make up for COM
ing late. TIE penalty for disobedi-
ence on any Of these points was two
pence. If any mans bed was left I'M
made, or any Fireplace or candle-box
unclesned alter eight in the morning,
the offender forfeited one penny.
Four times this sum was exacted
from any man who should teach
children "unhonest speech" OF i'm
proper language. Whoever waited at
hand was to pay one penny, the same
wa also exacted il ona absented him
self from any meal without permission.
The rule was strictly enforced that
who breaks pays, and If the actual
culprit could Eot be discovered, the
butler was condemned to make good
the loss or forfeit twelve pence.
The table wa to be covered fol
upper half an hour before SIX P. NJ,
the penalty for neglect being two
pence. Thrice that amount was the
punishment if dinner was notpromptly
served at eleven O'Clock, and supper at
six o'clock. Whoever absented him
self for a whole or even for q part Of a
day without leave, wal fined four pence.
If any one struck another or reviled
him, or threatened him, or provoked
him to violence he was obliged to pay
twelve pence. Whoever Intruded upon
the kitchen in serving hours, unless he
bad business. was fined one penny for
the trespass, the cook being smerced
in like amount for connivance.
1t was further enacted that mon,
toy with the maids, OF paine OF Adj"
and that ''no man wear a foule shirt
on Sunday, or broken hose or shoes,
or dublett without buttons, on paine
of Id" and further, ''that when any
stranger goeth hence the chamber lie
drest up again WI thin four hours after,
on paine OF ! d."
The hall was to be made clean by
eight o'clock in the morning in winter.
and by seven in the summer, on the
like forfeit, while the porter suffered
to the same amount if he failed to close
the court gate during dinner aud
supper. A fine of three pence avenged
any omission to clean the stairs, and
all rooms hat needed that process,
every Friday after dinner. .'All which
sums hall be duly paid each quarter
day out OF their wages, and bestowed
on the poor, or other godly use."