This is the most important officer in domestic establishments, and is
seldom adopted except in the families of noblemen or gentlemen of great
fortunes, by whom he is appointed as their _locum tenens_, not only to
superintend such necessary business as, from their rank and condition,
or other circumstances, they cannot undertake, but also to control and
manage, generally, all the most important concerns of the household. It
follows, therefore, that he ought to be a man of great experience in
household affairs, steady and attentive in his conduct, and of approved
principles and integrity. His character must be irreproachable and
exemplary, that he may be regarded with confidence and satisfaction by
his employers, and respected by those around him.
His chief business will be to hire, manage, and direct, and discharge
every servant of every denomination. To appropriate to every
domestic his proper and express business, and to see that it be done
accordingly. He ought to make it a point never to take a servant
without strict enquiry as to his moral character, orderly conduct, and
abilities for his situation, nor ought he to withhold a fair character
from any servant he discharges.
The House Steward, by the suavity of his manners, and equable
deportment, has it in his power to sustain the reputation of his
master in high estimation, and to make his whole household comfortable
and happy.
For further hints respecting servants we refer to the Address to the
_Mistresses of Families_, in the dedication, p. 10, 11, and 12; and to
those given to the _Housekeeper_, p. 52, 53, and 54.
Ability to provide for the family in the best manner, is another
qualification indispensably necessary in the _House Steward_. He
is expected to be a competent judge of the nature and qualities of
provisions, their comparative values, the best seasons for purchasing
the several articles, and the cheapest and most economical markets or
places to attend. The best way to go to market is with _ready money_;
or to deal with tradesmen of probity, and to settle their accounts
early and at regular and stated periods, but never to disappoint them,
at the expected times, which makes his custom nearly equivalent to
cash, and he will consequently be served with the best articles and on
the lowest terms. A conscientious and honest discharge of his duty in
this respect, will tend greatly to the satisfaction of his employers,
and redound to his own credit. Other hints on the subject will be
found under the head Housekeeper, p. 54 and 55; and directions for
marketing, which may afford some hints, even to an expert and an adroit
practitioner, may be found p. 75 to 88.
The abilities of the House Steward, as an accountant, are not required
to be very considerable. He is merely to keep an account of monies
received by him, on one page, and of monies paid or disbursed by him,
on the opposite page; and these two pages being cast up, and the
amount of one side being deducted from the amount of the other, will,
if the account has been correctly kept, shew at once the exact balance,
belonging to his employer, remaining in his hands. It will be the
business of the housekeeper to examine, weigh, and compare the several
articles, as they are brought in, with the tickets sent with them by
the respective tradesmen, and these tickets, so examined and signed,
will enable the Steward to check the tradesmen’s bills when brought in,
previously to their being paid. An upright and trust-worthy Steward
will discharge this part of his duty, as well as every other, with
zeal, fidelity, impartiality, and integrity; bearing for ever on his
mind this pleasing truth, that, “every man’s station is honourable or
otherwise, as his own conduct makes it.”
Salary from 100l. to 250l. and upwards.