The business of the lady’s-maid is extremely simple, and but little
varied. She is generally to be near the person of her lady; and to be
properly qualified for her situation, her education should be superior
to that of the ordinary class of females, particularly in needle-work,
and the useful and ornamental branches of female acquirements. To be
peculiarly neat and clean in her person and dress, is better than
to be tawdry or attractive, as intrinsic merit is a much greater
recommendation than extrinsic appearance. In her temper she should
be cheerful and submissive, studying her lady’s disposition, and
conforming to it with alacrity. A soft and courteous demeanour will
best entitle her to esteem and respect. In fine, her character should
be remarkable for industry and moderation,—her manners and deportment,
for modesty and humility—and her dress, for neatness, simplicity, and
frugality.
It will be her business to _dress_, _re-dress_, and _undress_ her
lady; and, in this, she should learn to be perfectly _au fait_ and
expeditious, ever studying, so far as it depends on herself, to
manifest good taste, by suiting the ornaments and decoration of her
dress to the complexion, habits, age, and general appearance of her
person. Thus will she evince her own good sense, best serve her
lady, and gratify all those who are most interested in her welfare
and happiness. She should always be punctual in her attendance,
and assiduous in her attention. Her’s will be the care of her
lady’s _wardrobe_, and she should make that her _particular_ care;
appropriating to each article of dress its proper place, where it
always may be found when wanted. It will be her business carefully
to examine every part of her dress, when taken off, and if they have
sustained an injury, or acquired any spots or stains, immediately to
clean and repair them;[17] then fold them up neatly, and put them away.
Her first business, in the morning, will be to see that the house-maid
has made the fire, and properly prepared her lady’s dressing-room:—she
then calls her mistress, informs her of the hour, and having laid out
all her clothes, and carried her _hot water_, to wash, she retires to
her breakfast with the house-keeper and other principal servants. When
her lady’s bell rings, she attends her in her dressing-room,—combs her
hair for the morning, and waits on her till dressed; after which, she
folds and puts away her night-clothes, cleans her combs and brushes,
and adjusts her toilet-table:—she then retires to her work-room, to be
ready if wanted, and employs herself in making and altering dresses,
millinery, &c. About one o’clock the family generally take their lunch,
and the servants their dinner.—After this, she is again summoned to
attend her lady’s toilet whilst dressing to go abroad. When gone, she
again adjusts her clothes, and every thing in the room, and lays out
and prepares the several articles that may be required for her dinner,
or evening dress, and afterwards employs herself at needle-work in her
own room, or in her other avocations, till her mistress returns to
dress for dinner, perhaps about five, when she attends her for that
purpose; and having done this, it may happen that no further attendance
on her mistress’ person will be required till she retires to bed:
meanwhile she employs herself at needle-work, as in the morning[18]—or
else in the various occupations of getting up the fine linen, gauzes,
muslins, cambrics, laces, &c. washing silk stockings, taking the spots
or stains out of silks, &c. &c. for doing which the best receipts are
annexed.
It is her business to see that the house-maid, or chamber-maid, empties
the slops, keeps up the fires, both in this and the bed-room, (if
wanted) and keeps the rooms in perfect order.—Previous to her mistress’
retiring for the night, she will have looked out her night-clothes,
and aired them well; and she will, not only now, but at all times when
she goes to dress, carry up _hot water_, for washing, &c. and when she
is gone to bed, she will carefully examine all her clothes, and do all
that is necessary to be done to them, before she folds them away. If
her lady be elderly, infirm, or unwell, she will sometimes be required
to bring her work, and sit with her, to administer her medicines, and
sometimes to read to her. To qualify herself for this latter purpose,
and to acquit herself with propriety, she will, at her leisure,
practise reading aloud, from the best authors; as it is important to
acquire a proper style and manner of reading, in all the varieties of
poetry or prose, ode or epistle, comedy, or sermon; avoiding, alike,
the dull monotony of the school girl, and the formal affectation of the
pedant; but following nature as her guide, in all that appertains to
emphasis, modulation, and delivery.
If acquainted with the superior branches of needle-work, she might
afford her lady much gratification, in presenting her, occasionally,
with such trifles as will be acceptable, and suitable ornaments for her
person.—This will evince her disposition to be grateful and to oblige;
and this, combined with a feminine sweetness of temper, and suavity
of manners, cannot fail to be her sure recommendation to the esteem
of her superiors and others, through all the various circumstances of
life.—Wages, from 18 to 25 guineas per annum, with tea and washing.
As the duties of the lady’s-maid include the personal ornament, dress,
and decoration of her mistress, we have availed ourselves of a work
recently published, under the title of “_The Art of Beauty_,” and
in the subsequent pages have introduced some important receipts and
observations from that work; together with various approved receipts on
other points of the lady’s-maid’s duty.