New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-25
HOME AND SOCIETY.
NOT DOING AS THE ROMANS no

THE EVILS OF IMPORTING sERvANrs-AN OUT.
RAGEous BuTLER-A GIRLS BICYCLE TOUR
IN FRANcE-FAsHroNs ARE TO CHANGE
SEVERAL MONTHS HENcE-rHE CHARMS
OF THE ACTRESS AND HOW sur
RETAINS rHEM-THE BEAUTIFUL.
CITY CONSERVATORY
swhen in Rome do as the Romans do" savs the
ola disch. but In these days Of universal travel II
e somewhat necessary to know beforehand the
manners and customs OF the native inhabitants OF
,he countries that visited
81 have eaten with chopsticks witch man
darin's wife and daughter in China and sat
cross-egged with the Persian ladies in Te-
heran. and smoked nargiles" said an Amer
lean woman who was nothing II not cosmopolitan
"but l never failed 20 adapt myself success
fuly 10 the customs OF the country until reached
Jamaica, in the West Indies had letters TO one Of
the magnates there. and upon delivering them |
received prompt invitation to breakfast and 20
spend the day The hour not mentioned. but
Is the people were French. supposed OF course
It vas Y o'clock la fourchette at which time
presented myself. only 10 find that had been ex
pectei al However. my entertainers were most
hospiiable and their usual frugal luncheon Of cake
WIG and fruit was evidently supplemented by more
substantial. viands FOR my benefit After luncheon
was asked II would like TO take a nap. As | had
Just arrived. assured my hosts that never slept
IN the daytime and proceeded to make myself as
agreeable possible. My entertainers endeavored
10 be cheerful but there was something I'm the at
mosphere that made me that / had com
United soecsnl-and that had guessed rightly
was very apparent in the relieved looks of the
family when said that thought did feel tired
and would be glad TO repose myself a little. |
Immediately conducted to an apartment which
had evidently been arranged with the expectation
that l would regularly TO bed. and wishing me
. good rest. the lady and gentleman OF the house
left for the whole afternoon.
About one OF the daughters came TO fetch me
In fresh toilet. looking very nice and making
feel very ,umbled and untidy in consequence
So after had been shown the gardens, which
really lovely. | began to make mes adieux
But must stop TO dinner they urged. they quite
expected me- But thought they had had enough
o. me, and persisted in my refusal. thought they
parted from rather stifiy. and driving over
the Ions avenue which led up to the house met d
number OF smartly dressed people. who. l after
Nard learned. had been invited especially to meet
me 80 missed IL all around and gave end of
trouble and offence. all because ! did just
know Jamaica habits
Il do not think on the whole that | would advise
people to import their servants" remarked
o. large experience. With English domestics
especially there is always trying time. both for
mistress and servant. which might be called the
must acknowledge that 1t is great temptation
when one experiences the perfect service on the
other side. 10 fancy that it would be easy to take
over the people and establish Ike regime at
home but II works The OF superiority
develops almost Immediately with these hitherto
respectful and wel-behGVed housekeepers buffers
fcotmen and maids. and for year they
ar 20 be quite insufferable with their airs and re
quiremen;s. For instance. something happened at
one Of the best houses which would have dis
tresseG the well-bred hostess beyond II she
hac known Of IL: OF she did. II is only
OF the many happenings wherein native igno-
rance and insuiar snobbery Unexpectedly come more
tAs fore under new conditions.
80 happened 10 he dining al the house. and sitting
next 20 me eminent scientific man, who
suffering from a severe ard sudden attack OF neu-
ra!sc headache. II | could only have glass Of
Champagne before eating. he said. I think 1t might
PISS on We then discussing soup. and
VAS an old and intimate friend OF the family /
thought. under the c!rcun stances might take the
.ioe-y 81 quietly ordering for him the tonic ne
needed before II served in It's course. So !
called the butler he was passing and said: NIX.
So-and-So has bad headache. Will you kindly give
him glass OF champagne now? Whereupon the
importsnt-looking creature drew himself up and
with the most irresistible air OF cockney severity
and superciliousness replied with great dignity.
Tine champagne will be served maam. at the proper
time"
.Of course under the circumstances. there was
nothing TO be said. and the poor man. who was
really Ill. went without his champagne until 1t ar
rived in It's turn. II piece Of ncivility to a
DISTINGUISHED stranger which wodld have mortified
Mrs A. exceedingly If had told her which, it goes
without saying. l did not. for people never really
thank you for that -ort Of thing. Not long ago
brought over maid who had served me faithfully
In England for year. and who over there was in
valuable In England had given her RS year-a
good salary there for a adys maid; but when l
concluded 10 bring her America explained 10 her
the higher rate Of wages with US and increased her
stipend to s25 a month. She was all gratitude. and
expected perfect comfort with my wel-trained Eng
lsh maid but once introduced into my somewhat
heterogeneous household she was simply intolerabe
The airs she put were manifold. and even found
myself in the midst Of a domestic mbrogo. So l
sent for my treasure and told her she seemed so
unhappy and disconnected. that / would pay her
passage back to her beloved England and send her
home This summary and simple way Of disposing
OF her grievances. l shrewdy suspected did not
su her a; ALL she had no idea Of going back 10 her
old conditions and wages. SO after a good scoldlng
consented TO keep her. and save for little sniny
disagreeable way she has with the other servants,
she gets now very we'll
There IL another objection 10 importing servants
which although not their fault. is inconvenient
and that is they apt TO fall i'll on account OF
the difference OF climate-in which event you may
either have 10 send them back or pay hospital ex-
penses So altogether. have found 1t better not
10 try 10 graft English househoid on American
soil but to put up with our imperfections on the
principle that a known evil is better than possible
good"
In nv last letter." continues the American
Girl writing from France Il told you that was
about 70 start on a bicycle tour with MIS- A. ana
that had engaged sort OF nondescr'pi cnea'uie'
half buttons and half valet de place. caNeu T
petit" TO act as courier ma me roDas' f'''enD
TO our bicycles. etc This small parsonage blythe
NAV