CHARACTER-GIVING.
[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Though I think that a character-book, as proposed by "Audi Alteram Partem," is quite unnecessary, I agree that it is even more important for good servants to know all about their prospective employers than it is for the employer to have a reliable character with a prospective servant, and I do not think that the best class of servants ever engage without knowing the character of the prospective situation. I have been unusually fortunate in finding and keeping trustworthy and capable upper servants for very long periods, at wages often less than are now paid. If you have such you will have no trouble with their assistants. My rule is always to see the applicant in person, and, if I have any doubt, the late employer as well before engaging. Never to keep any keys myself, and to give servants as little unnecessary trouble as possible. Good servants never object to hard work and plenty of it if their employers are also workers, and they are not wasteful unless their employers are wasteful. Lastly, as soon as you know that a man is worth to you more than the salary he has engaged for, as is often the case, to raise his wages to what he is fairly worth before he asks for a rise.—I am, Sir, &c., A COUNTRY EMPLOYER.
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