The duties of this servant are not so various nor so important as those
of the footman; indeed, they are very frequently, and particularly in
small families, a part of the business of a footman. The particular
province of the valet is to attend to the personal accommodation of
his master. He waits on him when dressing and undressing, has the care
of his wardrobe, brushes and keeps his clothes in good order and ready
to put on when wanted. For this purpose every garment or other article
of wearing apparel, should be carefully examined, cleaned or brushed
on the first opportunity that offers, and then put away in its proper
place.
He should chuse the earliest part of the morning to clean the boots and
shoes, unless it be otherwise arranged, and brush the clothes, and to
do all such work, so as to be able to get to his master’s dressing-room
time enough to make the necessary arrangements there before he expects
him to rise. He will see that the housemaid has lighted the fire, and
cleaned out and dusted the rooms; will prepare the washing-stand,
fill the ewer with clean soft water, and the caroft with fresh spring
water.—The basin and towels, the hair, nail, and tooth-brushes clean,
and in their proper places; hot water, and all the necessary apparatus
for shaving, quite ready; his dressing-gown and slippers airing before
the fire; and his clean linen perfectly well aired by himself, before
it be considered as fit to be put on. The coat, trowsers, &c. intended
to be worn must be taken out and placed at length across the backs of
chairs, the sleeves and outsides turned inward, with a clean linen or
brown Holland wrapper thrown over them, to save them from dust. Having
once ascertained the way in which these things are to be done, he will
find it easy in future, and will be sure to please. The best way to
hang up a coat is, to fold it once at full length, with the inside
outward, the sleeves put straight, and the two fronts together, and
then hang it on a cloak-pin by the inside of the shoulder.
If the wardrobe be sufficiently large to hold each kind of garment
separately, it will be so much the better, as the coats and other
articles may then be laid in smoothly and at length, as soon as they
are brushed and cleaned, and a brown Holland cloth may be spread over
each drawer or shelf, to preserve them from the dust.
Gentlemen who shave themselves, usually strop their own razors
immediately after the operation, whilst the metal is yet warm, which
is the best way: but if it be left to the valet to do, the razor must
be dipped in warm water and wiped dry with a clean cloth or rag; then
laying it flat on the strop, draw it diagonally, from the heel to the
point, the whole length of the strop, turning the elbow in and out
every time the razor is turned; half a dozen or half a score strokes
backwards and forwards, as often as it is used, will keep it in good
order for a considerable time. Good razors are made concave, or hollow,
between the back and the edge, on both sides, for the greater security
in shaving, and for the purpose of giving them a better edge in setting
or stropping.
Having attended his master while dressing, combed his hair, &c. the
valet will take the first opportunity, after he is gone, to set the
room in order, by looking over his things, folding away his night
clothes, washing the brushes and combs occasionally, when necessary,
with warm water and soap, wiping them clean, and drying them at an easy
distance from the fire, and then putting them away in their places.—The
dressing-stand must be wiped clean and dry, the basin washed and wiped,
the ewer and caroft rinsed out and filled again with clean water, the
towels taken away and replaced with clean ones, the fire stirred, the
room dusted, and every thing put in order, as if immediately to be used
again. This must always be done as soon as possible after his master is
dressed or re-dressed, and every garment or other article that has been
taken off, must be brushed, folded, and put away in its proper place.
In case of the master’s coming home wet from a ride, or otherwise, an
immediate change of warm dry clothes must be provided, and the wet or
damp things taken away and dried at a proper distance from the fire;
after having wiped the coat, or other woollen garments, with a sponge,
the way of the nap, or, if only spotted, with a silk handkerchief, in
the same manner, which will effectually smooth the grain of the cloth,
and remove all the spots.
When preparing for a journey, care should be taken to ascertain the
probable time of absence, that sufficient change of linen, &c. may be
provided—nor must the shaving and dressing apparatus be forgotten. When
arrived at an inn, or visiting place, all his master’s things must be
carried into his dressing-room, and set in order for dressing, or for
the night, as nearly as possible in the same order as at home. If the
footman be not there, the valet will have to attend to his master’s
accommodation below stairs also.
The valet is to be always in attendance, in case of his master’s coming
home unexpectedly—and he is to assist in waiting at table at all
meal-times.
As the valet is much about his master’s person, and has the opportunity
of hearing his off-at-hand opinions on many subjects, he should
endeavour to have as short a memory as possible, and, above all, keep
his master’s council; and he should be very cautious of mischief-making
or tale-bearing, to the prejudice of other persons, as calculated to
involve his master in disputes, and ruin himself, if by chance he is
incorrect.
The usual salary is from 30l. to 60l. per annum, but in some situations
much more. Perquisites, his master’s cast-off clothes.