The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
By THE ARBITER.


Several correspondents have reminded
The Arbiter that in his paper of last week
on household servants we overlooked the
butler. There was. however. no intention
TO pass this functionary over, but II was
deemed expedlent to divide the subject
into two parts and devote the first para
graph in to-day's article to that most
august person, who rivals the chef in i'm
portance--for what. indeed, could the chef
do without his cooperation? ?-the butter.
This worthy has been the butt Of many
Jokes. he has been satirized in novels and
dramas. and is a favorite subject with the
cartoonist. but under ridicule and abuse
he is meek and long suffering. and under
an imperturbable front hides whatever
pangs he may feel. Imperturbability
should. IN truth. be the chief character
istic Of an accomplished butler. No mat
ter what goes wrong in the household.
whether IT be madame's bursts of temper.
masters explosions OF rage, the house
keepers nerves. the indifference OF the
lady's maid to his hearts best devotion,
the Irritation OF the chef-whatever the
cause for excitement or anger the butler
His face must be absolutely blank when
a side-splitting story is told at table, he
must show no sign OF interest when the
latest scandal is aired, he must exhibit
no more animation than a marble statue.
and yet ne must be ever watchful TO an
ticipate the wishes Of those whom he is
serving, ever alert. In a word he must
be a diplomat in dignity and reserve. a
politician in vigilance, a soldier in
promptitude. and possessed Of sufficient
executive ability TO direct the affairs OF
the government
For these varied accomplishments a but
Ter receives a salary OF from IS to 500 a
month, the amount Of his stipend depend
ing upon his race, experience. and the
recommendations he can produce. Mrs.
Moneybag. for instance. will give double
the salary TO a man who was for a num-
Der OF years in the service OF Mrs An
cientpedigree, for she appreciates the fact
that he VIII serve as both servant and
teacher and that, unsuspected 10 HIM
she Will acquire a knowledge of those
social laws and amenities she had no
opportunity 10 learn in her progress from
the washtub 10 a place in upper tendon.
II butler has d sense of humor-and.
despite his blase air. there are few ex-
perienced buffers who lack 1.-THE must
frequently be amused at the idiOsyncrasies
to say nothing OF the social mistakes. of
his employers; but no matter how much
MS risibilites may be excited he should
give no sign.
The buffers dress has frequently been
commented upon because 1t differs in no
wise from that OF his master. and as
this upper servant is generally better put
UP. better looking, and with better address
than that gentleman. amusing mistakes
are occasionally made by taking one for
the other. For full dress the butler wears
the low-cut waistcoat. the spiked-tail
coat, patent leather pumps. and white
tie that all gentlemen affect for the
evening, and for informal occasions he
lays aside the evening coat for a dinner
jacket and black tie. II would be pref
cradle. certainly. II the butler and his
assistants were compelled to wear a Hv-
err. with small clothes and silk stock
ines as feature. Such dress would be
more distinguishing. "Jeems" would no
longer be mistaken for master. but would
present a much more picturesque ap-
pearance and add TO the gayety OF ,he
second mar, who often acts as footman
as well, wears a uniform which consists
OF long trousers. n coat cut 70 the waist
line in front and with broad tails in the
back, trimmed with silver or gold buttons
bearing the crest or monogram Of his
employer The waistcoat is Of silk OF
velvet, striped material with smaller
buttons. similar 10 those on the coat.
White shirt, tie. high collar and cuffs
complete the uniform
II a fOotman is kept, he wears much
the same uniform as the second man. al
though in many households especially
where those at the head OF them have
lived long abroad. a regular court livery
is adopted. with Dreeches. silk incased
calves low pumps and braided coat and
waistcoat, the coat being modelled after
the style Of a cutawsy. Liveries are fur
nished by the employer and the servant $
laundry is done at his expense. so that
mussed ard soled linen is inexcusable
Besides his second man and the foOtman.
who comes under his sway the butler
stan consists Of pantry maid, whose
duty Ii is 10 keep the dining-rOom, dumb
waiter, and pantries IN immaculate clean
Aiiiroo dlu pTutts ana one OF TWO men who
are called in TO aid I'm the serving when
there are extra guests and who. when not
required in the dining-roOm, attend 20 the
rough work around the house, such as
the washing Of windows waxing Of floors.
and polishing the silver. These aids 10
the major-domO wear footman's livery.
All men servants are expected to be clean
shayen. and the wearing BIZ them Of q
beard or mustache is quite out Of date
The valet is also a great parsonage in
al rich households. and. being close to
his master. he has an influence over him
and knowledge OF his personal affairs
that make him an object Of respect to his
fellow-servants. The valet's duties are
simple, and yet very complicated. Com
plicated because he must know the whims
and moods of his employer and forestaIl
bis wishes; simple because it is not diff
fcult TO keep mans wardrobe in order
even though that man be a swell with
forty pair OF Shoes seventy suits. a
dozen Overcoats, as many hats, six dozen
shirts" &c. A valet's duties. beginning
with the morning. are to prepare his mas
ters bath, lay out his clothes. which must
be carefully brushed. the trousers freshly
creased, studs must be put IN the linen.
and number Of necktles suitable for
morning wear at hand on the bureau
from which a selection can be made This
duty performed, the valet waits his mas
ter's ring in the sitting-room near by.
How he employs that period Of waiting
Is delicate subject, but certain butler
once had Il from a certain lady's maid
that masters man read all of master s
letters. kept tab on his bank and betting
books. and otherwise interested himself
In his masters affairs A valet wears
the ordinary dress of a gentleman. and.