Punch (62.1872)

PUNCH, OK THE LONDON CHAK1VAK1.

[Mat 11, 1872.

THE PIC-NIC.

Playful Widow. "Jump me Down, Mr. Figgins ! V

[The gallant little Man did his best, but fell—in her estimation far evert

A STIR IN THE KITCHEN.

Cold meat to be eaten only at breakfast, luncheon, tea, and supper.
Charwomen to be engaged to undertake such onerous and disagree-
able duties as washing, scrubbing, black-leading grates, lighting
fires, preparing the rooms for the reception of the family in the
morning, making beds, cleaning boots and knives, &c.

Servants with musical tastes and acquirements to be allowed the
use of the piano.

A supply of newspapers, magazines, and reviews, and a subscription
to a circulating library for the exclusive accommodation of the kitchen.

The total abolition of the irksome and barbarous custom of washing
at home.

All such degrading terms as "place," "wages," "character,"
and "maid of all work," to be forbidden; and, in their stead,
"situation" or "engagement," "salary," "testimonials," and
"general domestic" to be employed. The word "kitchen" to be
gradually discontinued in favour of " Servants' Apartment."

Two half-holidaj-s a week. Vacations at Christmas, Easter, and
Yv hitsuntide, and a month's leave of absence in the summer (with-
out any deduction from salary), for the sea-side, the Continent, &c.
An evening party once a month.

The Sunday question to be a matter of special negotiation; but
all leave of absence on that day to be considered to apply to the
whole of it, and no hour to be fixed for the return of domestics to
their duties at night.

All salaries to be paid in advance, and Servants to be entitled to
^raw as much money as they please on account.

Emulous of the example of her Caledonian sister, the English
female Domestic Servant is about to initiate a movement to better her-
self, and to form an Association to protect her interests against that
worst of all tyrants, despots, enemies, oppressors, and down-treaders—
" Missis." Preliminary conferences have already been held in halls
and kitchens of the first respectability, and as soon as the weather is
finally settled, a great open-air meeting will be called at an hour
convenient to those whom a hard fate compels to dish up a late
dinner, at which the following programme will be recommended for
adoption, as essential to the comfort, happiness, self-respect, and
independence of all those whom suckumstances oblige to resort to
domestic service for their livelihood :—

No Servant to accept an engagement until she has first received a
satisfactory character of the Mistress who is anxious to secure her
assistance.

Public waiting-rooms to be established, at which Mistresses shall
attend (at their own cost), to be inspected and questioned by their
intending employees.

No Servant to permit, on any pretext, the slightest difference in
the quality or quantity of the provisions supplied to the parlour and
the kitchen. The best tea always to be provided, and an absolute
prohibition to be placed upon the use of moist sugar.

No Mistress to enter her own kitchen, without giving previous
notice of her intention to its occupants.

No cupboards, sideboards, store-rooms, or cellars to be kept locked, j Servants not to be required to give warning, but all existing

Free access to the beer-barrel. j customs, as regards notice, wages, &c, on the part of employers, to

No Servant to be rung up in the morning, or expected to retire to ' remain m full force,
nest at a certain hour at night. The extension of the franchise to Domestic Servants.

No interference to be allowed with a Servant's dress, of which she No caps.___

is to be considered the best and only judge. Artificial flowers, veils, " "

jewellery, parasols, chignons, and high-heeled boots to pass unques- Cv% , ■ _ ,

tioned and unnoticed. s»poping .raranei.

No restriction to be planed on kitchen company. Male friends to Big Prince Charlie won the "Two Thousand." You see every
have the entree to that apartment whenever it may be agreeable to enormous Pretender to the honours of a fine Pace does not break
them. (This last stipulation to be a sine quay non.) down before the Judge.