THE OXFORD NOTE BOOK.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 14 April 1894, Page 2

THE OXFORD NOTE BOOK.

While innumerable attempts k have been made to ameliorate the conditions of the working classes, very little has been done oh behalf of pomestic servants. Th&cry everywhere is for a working day of eight hours, but !rom the privileges of such an enactment domestic servants are excluded. Not that their conditions as a class is altogether intolerable, but certainly the condition of many. : is to be jdeplored. The hours of a "general servant are usually from " getting up in the morning to going to 'bed at night " rarely less than fifteen hours a day, and for wages not remarkably good. By some she is called " drudge " and by others " slavery," but in few cases as " somebody's daughter" as good as M those of the house." No time is allowed for self improvement, and if any effort be made at that, it is at once discountenanced.

A girl after leaving school, seeks employment and perhaps gets it. But she is supposed to have the general knowledge of a women, and when she proves not to have that,' she receives ''warning" and has to go. because "girls nowadays know ".- nothing! " This is certainly unfair, and unjust. To minimise this, mothers should^do their utmost to train their 'girls in ml matters pertaining to household management, while at the '; sanie - time mistresses should show consideration

for the youthfulness of their, employees. .'. ....... _v ."

When a girl is seeking employment preferences are required," All the character and recommendation have been on her side, and should she be

employed m an unsuitable family, the loss is all on her side. Now it surely would not be unfair, to require Prefer--ences " as to the character of emyloy:ers.' A girl has as much right to know the character of her would be mistress, as that mistress has of her would.bc servant. A father whose daughter is going into service in town for the first time has a right to have all the available .information as to the character of the house which has to be} v his daughter's home when she hasjleft his roof. Of course "sting^ and ferocious mistresses and : vicious masters would resent'this-; but' their; very! resentment would show the necessity for such references ; and those men and women whose characters are unimpeachable, and who are prepared .to s^and in "the place of parents to their servants, would not demur.

J ,Tne fault, ?so^ far as employers are concerned' arises generally frdin 'incapateity to goyern, want of systematic domestic* ecoriomy, iox/oM incapacity, through ignorance to do thej work ; that Ith^sery^tjhaj's to do. Thus-Jar'l have taken the cause of the servants ; hutj, on "their part there . is'ntft a Httle^blamev In- many cages they 1 showman nmwMingness to" learn ; agreaW&t* of eare of te property M their employer; a lack of nateresi:- in theirSw^|ypngnatfeei6f{b^^g^ny resTOn|ibility j ..>ln short $hey work in a * peffunctoryflmanner, , ,;with little thought but - that -of -getting- tbj^ugh their work somehow, and receiving wages . The conditiofi of '« domes^o

service " requires amending, but where the conditions are favourable, there are few engagements more profitable' and wholesome. Girls placed in well conducted homes are infinitely better off than those whose occupation is in factories or in close work rooms. The possibilities of self improvement are greater ; environments are more natural, and therefore advantageous ; and a : good apprenticeship is served W which fits a girl to be a " worthy mistress of her own home." . Pennib.