AMERICAN AND BRITISH HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—May one who has lived both in Old England and New England offer a few comments on the letter of our American sister last week ? She obviously knows nothing about English country life and assumes that what is obtainable in Northfield, Mass., is to be had for the asking in a remote English country house, and a parsonage at that.
Two American ladies wanted to hire a beautiful sixteenth- century manor-house which they would have found perfect had it had set basins in each room and more baths. It would have spoilt the ancient mansion to add excrescences for the purpose, and the landlord wisely refused. Water laid on to each room is 'an expensive matter in an old country house. So also would be an American furnace ; the insurance company might well object to its introduction in a house with ancient, dry timbers. Electricity cannot be laid on for vacuum cleaners, irons, &c., in a country house—a private plant is needed. Nor does the Post Office supply telephones unless a number of subscribers reside in the district. With many Americans I have argued the difficulty of sending children to village or town schools. The accent acquired in youth is seldom wholly lost. There are other objections, such as a child having to fight against class-prejudice, as has been pointed out. The country rectory is not likely to be sur- rounded by houses containing _children of educated parents. It will be seen that it would be all but impossible to substitute
labour-saving devices and suggested changes for all the servants in the simple manner mentioned. The damp climate would make it difficult to close rooms even where central heating exists, and paying guests and children are not always compatible.
But, to my mind, one serious objection to the " do-it- yourself " system has been ignored—the strain, physical as well as mental, too often results in nervous breakdowns in America as I know from my friends' experiences. Too often they have neither time nor patience to train their children. Ask any English woman who travels on the Continent what children are the most spoilt and the worst behaved.
I have lived over twenty years in New England and over forty years in Old England. I thank God that I am likely to die in a house without set basins or a furnace and that I need not spend my declining years amid the rush and turmoil of an American household with all modem appliances. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places and I know more than one American friend who would gladly change households with me.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Bradlegh End, Ottery St. Mary. FRANCES ROSE-TROUT.
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