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As no relations in society are so numerous and universal as those of
Masters and Servants—as those of Household Duties and the performers of
them—so it is proportionally important that they should be well defined
and understood. It is a species of knowledge as important to the head
of a family as necessary to the servant; and, if thoroughly studied,
would relieve life of half its anxieties and vexations.
Yet, till the present book, no special attempt to define these
relations, and illustrate these duties has ever been made. We have had
Sermons on the moral obligations of masters and servants, and many
books of religious advice, addressed to the latter, all good in their
way; but we have had no work, which, like the present, addresses itself
to the actual personal practice of their duties; which defines them as
they actually belong to the various classes; and instructs servants in
the way and mode of performing them with skill, advantage, and success.
The want of such a manual of duty and practice having often been
noticed in servants’ halls, in families in which the authors of this
book have resided, it occurred to them, many years since, to make
notes, with a view to a work like the present. They hoped long ago
to have been able to submit them to the public; but the constant
avocations of servitude rendering it impossible to digest their
materials, the task has been deferred till they have been enabled to
retire on a moderate competency; the publication may therefore be
regarded as the legacy of their old age to servants of the present and
future generations, and as the last duty which in this world they are
likely to perform.
The author, educated in a foundation school, entered service as a
footboy, in 1770, and during fifty years he served successively as
groom, footman, valet, butler, and house-steward. His Wife began the
world as maid of all work, then served as house-maid, laundry-maid,
under-cook, housekeeper and lady’s maid, and, finally, for above twenty
years, as housekeeper in a very large establishment. Their experience
is, therefore, such as has fallen to the lot of few, and they have
freely and fully displayed it in the following pages.
They profess no skill in authorship, their sole object having been
to set down every thing likely to be useful, in language that may be
understood by all.
At the same time, important and necessary as the book will be to all
SERVANTS who desire to perform their duty with ability, and to rise
in their career to higher and more profitable situations, yet it
will prove equally useful in the parlour, by assisting MASTERS and
MISTRESSES of families in arranging their establishments, advising
them of their own duties, and enabling them to estimate the merits of
valuable servants. It may, indeed, be a question, whether the volume
will not be as desirable to those who are served as to those who serve.
Conviction of its probable use to all classes, led A LADY OF HIGH RANK,
in whose family Mrs. Adams resided, to honour her with advice and
assistance in some articles, particularly in that of Governess, and it
is to be regretted that a delicate reserve prevents the acknowledgement
being made by name.
At the time the work was prepared there existed no general collection
of Receipts like that published two years since by Mr. MACKENZIE,
consequently, a variety of practical receipts, which the Authors
had taken much pains to assemble, were rendered less necessary.
Nevertheless, as many of these receipts were identified with the duties
of the several servants, they have retained the most important of them,
and it is believed that they will be considered as adding much to the
value of the work.
Being desirous of rendering the volume as perfect as possible,
they will thankfully receive, and incorporate in new editions, any
suggestions with which intelligent servants may favour them, if
addressed to them at their publishers.
EDGEWARE ROAD,
_June, 1825_.