Published by Good Press, 2019

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      EAN 4064066246921

Table of Contents

       LETTER I.

       A Story.

       LETTER II.

       LETTER III.

       LETTER IV.

       LETTER V.

       LETTER VI.

       LETTER VII.

       LETTER VIII.

       LETTER IX.

       LETTER X.

       A Story.

       LETTER XI. ON HEALTH.

       LETTER XII. ON DRESS, MANNERS, AND LANGUAGE.

       LETTER XIII.

       LETTER XIV. ON ECONOMY.

       LETTER XV. ON THE CARE OF CHILDREN.

       LETTER XVI. ON COOKING.

       LETTER XVII.

       Rules for setting Tables.

       On clearing Tables.

       On waiting at Table.

       On Washing and Ironing.

       Common mode of Washing.

       Soda Washing.

       On Sprinkling, Folding and Ironing.

       Other Kitchen Work.

       Care of Lamps.

       On the Care of Parlours and Chambers.

       To make a bed.

       LETTER XVIII. The Way to be Happy.

      LETTERS

       TO

       Persons engaged in Domestic Service.

LETTER I.

       Table of Contents

      The station of domestics important, respectable, and advantageous to themselves. A story to illustrate the state of things in this country.

      My Friends:

      I have travelled a good deal in various parts of this country, and by visiting in a large number of families, I have been led to feel a great interest in the welfare of persons in your situation. And as my friends think that I could write something which might be useful and interesting to you, I have concluded to try, and have, therefore, prepared this small volume for your use. I trust you will find, that I have, at least, one good qualification for writing a book for you, and that is, a real interest in those I address, and a sincere desire to do all I can to promote their usefulness and happiness.

      I think that much of the trouble felt by persons in your situation of life, would be very much lessened, if a right view were taken of the respectability, usefulness, and advantages of the station you occupy. I do not think you are aware either of the good you can do to others, or of the benefits you may receive yourselves, in your employment. And I do not think you understand the real respectability which belongs to your situation. I therefore wish to give you some views on these points, that I hope may tend to make you more useful, and more contented with your lot. This I think I can do in the most agreeable way by relating the following tale.

A Story.

       Table of Contents

      Once there was a ship which sailed with a large company on board. There were the captain, the officers, and the sailors, and a company of soldiers. There was also a large number of gentlemen and ladies, and there were several families of children, returning from school to their parents, with the persons who had the care of them. There was also a number of servants to the gentlemen and ladies.

      After they had been some time at sea, a dreadful storm came on, the ship sprung a leak, they all got into the ship’s boats, and then she sunk to the bottom with all their possessions. After a great deal of trouble, their boats succeeded in all reaching a neighbouring, unknown shore. Their misfortunes soon reached the ears of the king of that country, who was a very generous and kind man. His dominions had just been desolated by a pestilence, which in some cases had swept off whole families. The king had all these strangers conveyed to a large estate whose owner, with all his family, had perished in the pestilence. On this estate was a large and magnificent palace, with gardens, and orchards, and parks, and a great extent of fields for cultivation. Within the palace were fine furniture, and rich clothing, and a great quantity of food of all kinds. The out-houses, also, were supplied with fine horses and beautiful carriages. All this estate, with its palace and treasures, was given to these strangers, on two conditions; the first was,