The Golden Cockerel Press sends us a fine edition of
Swift's Directions to Servants, with decorations by John Nash. Swift's
treatise is probably the greatest and longest example of sus- tained irony in the language. " In long journeys," he advises all grooms, " ask your master leave to give ale to the horses ; carry two quartsful to the stable, pour half a pint into a bowl, and if they will not drink it, you and the ostler must do the best you can ; perhaps they will be in a better humour at the next inn. ; for I would have you never fail to make the expe- riment." Housemaids he advises as follows :—
" When you wash any of the rooms towards the street over night, throw the foul water oat 'of the street door ; but be sure not to look before you, for fear those on whom the water light might think you uncivil, and that you did it on purpose."
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