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Mrs. Seely's Cook Book: A Manual of French and American Cookery : with ..

1902

Page 6

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
monly some more dominating and masterf ul — not io say lazy — character than the others. Mistress or housekeeper should goard caref uUy the more yielding and kindlier dispositions, and see that they are not put upon by their coUeagues. Such a domestic as ^^ the man of ali work" is especially apt to be loaded with duties by other servants unless he is protected. I I CHAPTER II 6ENERALLY RECOGNIZED DUTI£8 Daties of HouBekeeper A MANAOIKQ housekeeper ahould be possessed of thorough executive ability. Necessarily she is well bred and well educated. To ber duties sbe often in our oountry brìngs a knowledge of refined bousekeeping gained in ber own bome, a knowledge of life and ita conventions, and tbe tact to direct tbose serving ber wbicb is commonlj given alone to tbose bred in early. years to gentle living. Sbe is, under tbe mistress, bead of tbe bouse. Sbe bires and discbarges ali servants. Sbe sees personally tbat ali work is tborougbly and properly done. Sbe is, witb Constant kindness in ber beart for buman frailty, on tbe watcb to detect and correct any wrongdoing on tbe part of any servant. Sbe sbould never spy, never go quietly to detect errors, Her ap- proacb sbould always be known. Sbe sbould gain tbe good will and affection of tbose sbe directs by unfailing good order and kindly interest in eacb of tbem. Let ber bave few rules, but tbose few most effectively kept. If sbe bas tbe con- fidence and respect of tbose under ber, sbe bas tbeir support. Tbe befluls of tbe bouse must fuUy indorse ber in every detail of ber administration. Tbe bousekeeper is sometimes also secretary to tbe mistress of tbe bouse. But at ali times sbe takes entire charge of tbe bouse ; in f act, is wbat ber name denotes, — a keeper of tbe bouse. Sbe oversees tbe closing of tbe town bouse and tbe opening 8 II0U3EKEBPKR. BIGHT8 AND BUTIE8 OF 8ERVANT8 9 of the country house, she sees that ali carpets are sent to be cleaned, that ali blankets are put away in good order, that heavy curtains are taken down, and the f urniture slip-covers put on early in May. She sends lace curtains to the cleaner's. She keeps her eyes open f or any def ects that might damage the property of the householders and reports the need of ali repairs to the mistress. Her day is commonly spent in some such wise as this : She should be up early in the morning and see that ali under her charge are at work by seyen. She has planned their daily work and must see that her directions are carried out with clocklìke regularity. Her first duty is to go through the servants' rooms and see that ali beds and Windows bave been left open by the occupants for sweetening and freshening in the morning air. Her breakfast, which is commonly served about eight, is brought by the second chambermaid and is served in her own sitting room or office. In some large households the children of the family eat at the housekeeper's table, which is served by a footman.