MISTRESS AND SERVANT.

Western Star, Issue 1385, 31 August 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

MISTRESS AND SERVANT.

Tbe reh tion between domestics and their|emploje<'B \b not wbat it used to be. The old patriarchal relation is a thing of the past. Some years ago it was understood that the mistress was a sort of guardian to the servant, and had absolute control over her in every way ; had a right to say how she could dress, and how she should spend ber leisure. Servants have rebelled against this rule; they have asserted tbeit rights, not always very judiciously or politely; and the consrquence is that neither mistresses nor servants know fully where they are. After tbinkirg a good deal about the matter, the conclusion we arrive at is, that in readjusting the relations tbe first thing to be done is for both mistrt sses= and servants to resolve to respect ONE ANOTHER'S E GHTS. This is the attitude which will to be taken up if the domestic wheels are to run smoothly. Let it hr understood that the two parties stand towards each other in position, not of guardian and ward, or patron and dependent, but in tbe attitude of buyer and seller; and let us see how this will work. The servant's stock-in-trade is her ability and v illingness to do certain w rk, in a certain way, at certain hours. Tbe mistress has the right to say how and when ihe work shall be done, and also has tbe right to lay down certain rules of domestic management, which rules should be set down "in the bond." But with tbe observance of these rules her rights end, and the servant's rights have possession of the field. The mistress may and should try to influence on the ground of their common humanity; but she has no claim to command. It is here

WHERE MISTRESSES MAKE A MISTAKE ) they want to continue to command Servants continually rebel against their assumption of authority; and the more capable they are the less likely they are to submit to arbitrariness, unless there are compensating advantages attached to the situation, which make it worth their while to do bo. The mistresses who suffer, however, are for the most part the mistresses who cannot accept the new regime. In the long run they will have to do so; their opposition will not alter fccts. We are not saying that the change described is a good one or a bad one; we simply state that it has been effected. Therefore, what the mistress has now to do who wants to manage her domestic affairs successfully, is to respect the rights of her servants as well a% to claim her own. Kindly feelings may exist, but the foundation of her relations with her servants depends, not upon kindness, but upon jus ice.—From Cassel's Book of the Household.