The Statesman. — 1812-01-14 (London, England)

LIFE BELOW STAIRS.  TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.  flea,--1 very much approve of an article in your pltriotic Paper of Monday last; earnestly recomrenting all housekeepers to peremptorily forbid tivir Ferranti, to reroice visiters. I am a house)„,Ter, and have not for several ) ears past allowed out of my domestics to ask their relations or acauaintances into my kitchen, not only because it c:v:: to servants a tern to idleness and dishonesty theyj"r will he always sure to entertain their friends the ver) best manner), bat that it encourages them f make brothels of our houses; and as vice is prof ;essive, the pretended lovers of our kitchen wenches are sometimes thieves in disguise.—Some years since every bed in my house, in the summer time, during my absence from town, was let to servants out of place. My trusty servant took in washing, to a gnat extent, and it was my good fortune to, detect her in the height of her glee, surrounded by her iwizers. by coming unexpectedly to town; and, as  • k nould bare it, I found my door vp6ii the  in., one of fir, party having stept but for souse porter slid gin. I walked directly down seeks, whitne Wahl about fifteen seated at table, on which was a In.:, dish of ham, in slices, a turkey, and pastry, wi,ll some of my old Madeira and port on the table. Tl;e table, as you may well suppose, was soon In an uproar—the most 'expert making their escamtle aiyH etatring the kit Chen ; but willing to ascertain whit these guests were, that my trurty servant entertained at my expence, I took care to secure the door, to revent the escape of the rest.—Three of the party,.l  evered, Lodged in my house—three others were _ .  t:3:tesmen in the neighbourhood—and a fourth was a tree -grocer, who supplied me with vegetables.— v laundry, on lisiting it, was like an oven, and lien susp.ibtl to dry in it belonging to different people., On examiAing a!l my apartments before ...en" to bed, I discovered a man in a closet in a lumber !-iom adjoining to the servants'-room, who, on being el....:ged out and gnestioned, fell on his knees, said 1 was Betty's sweetheart, and hoped 1 would not  hart him. I gare him in charge of the wateh, and nest morning lie was recognised at Bow-street as suspicious fellow, who had long been vigilantly .;:ached by the Officers of the Police, from having Itrfa seen in bad company. It was this adventure that decided me to allow no visiters in my kitchen ; sad I was the more strongly confirmed in this resolution, ou fluffing that a friend of mine had made a similar discovery, only with this difference, that a ball instead Ida supper was given ; and I have since fffunfl that it is a common practice for those left in charge of a house, when the family is absept„ to let the beds to servants out of place; and for.gentlernen's coachmen, late at night, to ply in the streets. In Ciort, Sir, the proffijacy of, out ierifiltS is arrived i such a height, as tryseriously call for the interposi;ion of the Legislature; and when you are in-. formed that one Register-Otfice for Servants had 5e..10 ou their list, I will leave you to judge how ite:assary it is to have a vigilant eye over the morals of a class of people to whom so much is confided, and who have it In their power to do a world of I.li,cliief. I have, therefore, again to than. you for the very wholesome advice you offered to Mouse. LeTers, by recommending them to discontinue the  miwhieveus, and dangerous indulgence of their. servants to have visiters, some of im may•, possibly, be admitted with a view to ~,') and murder the family. I am, Sir, yours, le. A