One hundred years ago
LADIES IN SERVICE
Sir, — I have read with interest your article on 'Ladies in Service' in The Spectator of July 16th. May I be allowed to make a few remarks on the subject, especially on the suggestion at the end of the paper? — 'Why should there not be organised a body of women-servants, who would in effect be lady-charwom- en?' It seems to me if the suggestion were reversed, and the resident servants were ladies, and the non-resident of the lower class, the plan would be workable. Take, for instance, a household of four servants, — parlour-maid, housemaid, cook, and scullery-maid. The fourth, who has principally the rough work of the house, might be much more easily non-resident than the first three; and even were the fourth resident, a young woman trained under a lady, and only in the society of ladies, could hardly be objected to, neither do I think the girl herself would feel inconvenience. Ladies are just the class who would value the protection of a home, and being resident in it. It is the lower class who wish so much for freedom, and who, therefore, seek their livings other- where, if possible, than in domestic ser- vice. The question is, are there ladies capable of filling good cooks' places? house and parlour work is more easily acquired — and are there mistresses brave enough of making the experiment of trying a household of ladies? — I am, Sir, &c.,
A PRACTICAL MISTRESS The Spectator 23 July 1892
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