DOMESTIC SERVICE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Is domestic service a dying industry? The writer of the article in the Spectator of J111:0 8th seemed to agree reluctantly. My experience is so very different from what was stated at the meeting in London that I venture to put before you my method of handling servants, which has stood the test of eleven years. which gives me a most comfortable house, no changes, and no servant problem.
(1) ,upply.—I try to get servants front the heighbourhood, from families I know. I avoid Registry Offices as much as possible. When there are changes, due to marriage usually, I make inquiries among the servants. Often a sister is available, or, still oftener, there are applications front local girls.
(2) Wages.—I start at low wages, but give each maid a yearly increase of £2. This definite increase makes the girls contented, as they have something always to look forward to, and ,62 yearly is cheaper than frequent changes and registry fees. In addition, I give £1 when the girl gets her yearly holiday and 10s. each at Christmas. Morning dresses and all caps and aprons are supplied. This secures neatness and uniformity and leaves the maids' wages intact.
(3) Accommodation.—Where possible, each maid has a separate bedroom, and this bedroom is prettily decorated and well fur- nished. I have no "left-overs " in these bedrooms. There is always a good wardrobe where a girl can hang her clothes com- fortably, and a mirror-door where she can see how nice she looks. The maids' bedrooms are as pretty and as comfortable in their own way as the bedroom of the (laughter of the house; there is certainly no yawning chasm, such as I have seen, between the bedrooms on one side of the baize door and the bedrooms on the other. For sitting in and for meals there is a good hall, large, airy, and cheerful. It is furnished with cushioned wicker-chairs, there is a properly appointed writing-table and a well-filled book- case. The hall, as a whole, looks as comfortable as the CCIIIIII3D Room in a College.
(1) Liberty.—The work of the house is done early in the morn- ing. In the afterncon the maids are free to do what they please, reading, writing, sewing, or going out. I do rot interfere with them or inquire what they are doing. What I do ask is that the house shall be kept well managed without my seeing how it is done, and when that is accomplished their time is their own. Apparently, they arrange among themselves who shall stay in, but I notice, because they are free, they do not go out so very much. The house is their home, and I consider they are free to go out and in as they please without my permission, as long as the work is done to my satisfaction and at the hours I wish. I live in the country, eight miles from a town, so I supply two bicycles for the use of the maids. Any two may go out for a short run any day, while each maid has the usual half-day once a week.
These simple arrangements seem too simple to accomplish reform. There are no Trade Unions, no eight-hour day, no hostels, no uniform, yet I have no servant problem, and there is competition to get into my service. I believe the secret is that I run my house as the British Empire is run, without too much governing. I give good conditions and no interference. I demand good service, and I receive it.—I am, Sir, &c.,
SATISFIED MISTRESS.
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