New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-03

y, ..,r,,a Expert Naidservant" by Christine Ter
rn,o TIerricl CHarper & Bros. New-York and Bos-
tom The author has ignored the pecuAi'i
ments conclusions and prophecies Oh MIS- O'
Iotte Perkins Gilman concerning the proper NO''
duct of the home Mrs. Herrick is frankly cohseI-
,ttro &, tho noint of view from which she writes
No visions of eating clubs, relays OF COOKS aust
ers or nursemaids, mattresses ana chdiiiDe4'A ''-7
hired by the hour trouble her calm and emlhen'y
temperate survey of her subject
Mrs Herrick writes chiefly for housekeepers OF
moderate means for whom the problems OF ser
vice are the most difficult Beginning with the
engaging of the maid and the arrival OF the latter
upon the scene OF labor, she gives in clear prac
teal manner valuable points on the proper routine
of work for the several days the mistress's man
ner 10 her maid her attitude toward followers
the necessity of proper utensils in the kitchen and
a constant supervision over all the house, etc.
While Mrs Herrick believes most cordially IN
speeding the parting servant who proves herSeli
unwilling TO learn disobedient' pert she peleVeS
quite as heartily IN welcoming the coming maid 10
a clean. tidy kitchen and fresh, spotless bedroom
of her
Nothing is more discouraging to a servant than
into a place that is dirty from the care
lessness Of the former occupant untidy and
topsyturvy The maid is susceptible to first I'M
pressions as the rest of us. and the moral effect
of bringing her into dirty and disorderly kitchen
is distinctly bad. The mistress should have the
Kitchen and pantries cleaned by the outgoing maid
and IL should nave been uOne unueT ltI OWL
supervision or else thoroughly inspected after the
work is finished. The servant who finds dust in
the corners. the stove unpublished. the cellar and
refrigerator uncleaned Is likely to draw the con-
cuslon that the places remain she found
them or may be suffered to drift into the same
condition again whenever she is too lazy
careless to give them proper attention"
Then follows "a word about the maids bedroom
I'm some circumstances it is impossible make it
very alluring. When all of family tucked
away in dark. inside rooms. as is the case in many
city apartments, it cannot be expected that the
maid will fare better than her employers. But
fortunately. all humanity are not cliff dwellers
There plenty of homes where it is possible for
the maid to have light airy bedroom. which
could be made attractive at a small expenditure
Of time and money.
THE ROOM" Mrs Herrick goes on to say can
not be refurnished for every new maid; but the
furniture it contains be of sort that is readily
freshened. The white iron cots are neat we'll
as comfortable, and there should be a good mat
tress always A hardworkng maid has a right to
a comfortable bed.
IF there two servants. they should have
separate beds This should be an invarable rule
a neat iron washstand. plain bureau that can
have a fresh bureau cover or a clean towel laid
it; comfortable chair, rug by the bed are
not expensive and add much 10 the comfort of a
room. 1t is wiser to have the floor bare and paint
ed spread with mating than covered with
a shabby and worn-out carpet which gathers dust
and dirt The walls better painted than pa
pered The mistress can consult her own pref
erence as whether or not she shall put pictures
on the walls but she should not make Of the maids
room a lumber place for the old engravings and
chromos that will be tolerated in no other part of
the house. and do IL under the impression that
she is making the place attractive to the maid
servant within her gates.
THE bed should. II possible, be made up before
the maid arrives. with fresh spread, and the room
should have the absolute cleanliness that is always
n charm
In a similar spirit Mrs. Herrck recommends
that a supply of decent china and cutlery is on
hand for the maids use at her own meals III
cannot be pleasant for any 10 haze bent and
furnished forks and spoons, cracked and stained
cups. saucers and plates for her food
Believing that there Is very httIe danger of the
madservant in America being downtrodden and
imposed Upon. like the London siavey,'' Mrs.
HeFrick takes the stand that the maid OF all work
SHOULD be prepared 10 turn her hand To- anythinys