The Caucasian., 1913-02-13
1&G
ROYAL SERVANTS
never STRIKE
They Are Happy and Contented
Because Treated With Marked
Kindness and Consideration by
Their Employers.

~ ERHAPS II all servants were
as kindly and considerably
treated as an exalted person
age says those Of royalty are
there might be no servant problems In
democratic households.
One Of the reasons given by Amer,
lean girls for preferring to work in
factories or shops is that in household
service no social life Is possible for
them. 1t is a very exceptional mis-
tress who approves Of beaus or par
ties for her maids.
According to the authority on royal
households, in their leisure hours serv-
ants In the service of English royalty
have an exceedingly good time. for
dances and other entertainments are
often arranged for them in the serv-
ants hall. This is especially so Of those
employed by the king and queen.
Each servant Is allowed to invite two
of the proposed guests must always be
submitted to the housekeeper for ap-
proval before the invitations are sent
out.
The king and queen and other mem
bers Of the royal family generally at
tend the dance for a quarter Of an
hour to watch the quadrille with which
the festivities usually begin.
A highland reel, too, which is danced
beautifully by the highland servants.
is always a feature Of the dances.
A fine supper is served in the serv-
ants waiting room at midnight, and
the dance concludes at o'clock.
The housekeeper acts as chaperon
on these occasions. and the palace
steward, one Of the oldest servants now
In the royal employ. plays the part OF
a sort of master Of ceremonies. He it
is who is responsible for the organiza
ton Of most Of the entertainments got
up in the servants hall.
Apart fDm these dances, there are.
many othef entertainments and amuse-
ments provided.
The housekeeper gives what are
known as 8 o'clock tea parties in her
room from time to time to certain
number of the servants. These are
not large affairs by any means, for only
dozen Of the servants are invited, but
they are very enjoyable. Music and
round games are the order Of the even
ing, and the party breaks up at II
o'clock. The servants who are invited
to it are. of course. released from duty
for the evening, so that they have
really good time.
There is comfortable sitting room
for the maidservants at Buckingham
palace, where they can read. write let
ters or do their own work in the way
Of sewing during any leisure time they
may have in the afternoon. On certain
days they are allowed to entertain
their girl friends in this room at tea.
In the beginning of the last reign the
maidservants were allowed to hold
little ''at home" on Friday afternoons,
to which they could invite their friends.
But these entertainments have now
been given up. partly because they
grew into rather larger gatherings than
were considered desirable.
q
are each allowed to ask a friend on a
certain day to see them in the after
noon and have tea with them.
There are several clubs among the
royal servants. Among the men serv-
ants there are swimming, rowing and
cricket clubs, and the theater club is
quite favorite institution. Each serv-
ant pays in SO much money every
month to a common fund, out of which
four dress circle tickets for theater
are purchased every week and are then
balloted for. Two tickets are given to
each winner in the ballot, and the win
ner can give his Tor herr second ticket
to q fellow servant
There are, Of course, regular after
Moons and evenings of for the serv-
ants, just as In ordinary households
Servants who wish to go out must first
obtain the housekeeper's permission to
do 80.
As Is necessary in large household,
strict discipline Il maintained. The
slightest indecorum would be promptly
brought to the attention Of the offend
er. Nothing In the way Of larking be-
tween men and maid servants would
be tolerated. and 1t IL fair to say that
the servitors are chosen with such good
judgment that 1t Is almost exceptional
for it to be necessary to criticise any
Of the employees on this score.
Owing to their advantages and the
prestige that attaches to serving roy
atty, the servants come from an ex-
Fceptionally good class Though the
salaries at first are small. the positions
are eagerly sought for. carrying. as they
do, the certainty Of promotion and old
age pensions.
A Dusting Hint.