We understand it is in contemplation to get up a club for the purpose
of endeavouring to improve the quality of servants. The indifference of
the material is very much against the project, but the effort is worth
making. A few old housekeepers have determined to set the scheme on
foot by offering a few prizes, of which the following is a catalogue:--
For the Cook who has lived longest in one place without including
whole candles under the general head of kitchen-stuff
_One pound_
For the Nurse who has walked oftenest in the Park without speaking to
a Horse-guard
_Ten shillings_
For the Housemaid who has remained longest in a situation in which the
cat has not been in the habit of doing wilful damage to the crockery
_Five shillings_
[Illustration: _Lady (engaging a maid)._ "Was your last mistress
satisfied with you?"
_Maid._ "Well, mum, she said she was very pleased _when I left_!"]
For the Cook who has been the greatest number of years in service
without resigning her own heart and her mistress's cold meat to the
devouring passion of a policeman
_Fifteen shillings_
For the Nurse who has remained the longest time in a place without
mistaking the children's linen for her own, and given the baby the
fewest private punches and pinches
_Seven shillings_
For the Female Servant who has set off on Sunday evenings to go to
church, and found her way there oftenest
_Five shillings_
For the Page who has opened the smallest number of notes in the
longest period of service
_Half-a-Crown_
For the Groom who has best carried out the principles of protection
with regard to his master's corn
_Ten shillings_