ENGLISH BUTLERS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 172, 17 April 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

ENGLISH BUTLERS

American Demand The "perfect English butler" is once more in demand by American millionaires, writes Louise Morgan, in the “News Chronicle.” Those who are coming for the Coronation have been out-bidding each other to secure one, because be would be so useful on matters of Court etiquette. Meanwhile no American town or country house is considered really furnished without him, and to be “the tops” socially one should- be accompanied by him on journeys to Palm Beach and other resorts. Of the dozens of ‘‘perfect English butlers” sent back six years ago by their American employers because they could no longer afford them, not a single one now remains in England. The last two left for New York this week, I was told by Mrs. Richard Cob-den-Sanderson, who was responsible for finding many of these men their original American posts. Though the immigration quota forbids the entrance of fresh recruits, she explained, butlers who already hold an American employment permit may renew it. Without exception she finds they prefer working for Americans. The chief reasons they give are: They are treated on a more human, friendly basis, are never regarded as menials, and have better wages, living conditions, food and holidays. Many have travelled thousands of miles with their employers, enjoying precisely the same luxuries. Some have been entrusted with the charge of the entire household management with an annual budget running into tens of thousands of pounds. A few describe family conditions comparable for extravagance with those in the film, “My Man Godfrey.” Mrs. Cobden-Sanderson, who has made a special study of the EnglishAmerican servant problem, believes the Americans are nearer a solution than we are.

“People who do the work of the house should be allowed to enjoy their share of its amenities,” she said, “and, above all, they should be allowed to get out in the fresh air every day instead of once a week.”