192 Expenses of HowsE-KEEfiNc, [Part II, 



observed, that " Public Servant" really means master. 

 Be the cause what it may, however, they continue most 

 obstinately to scout the name of servant ; and, though 

 they still keep a civil tongue in their head, there is not 

 one of them that will not resent the affront with more 

 bitterness than any other that you can offer. The man, 

 therefore, who would deliberately offer such an affront 

 must be a fool. But, there is an inconvenience far 

 greater than this. People in general are so comfortably 

 situated, that very few, and then only of those who are 

 pushed hard, will become domestics to any body. So 

 that, generally speaking. Domestics of both sexes are 

 far from goocl. They are honest; but they are not 

 obedient. They are careless. Wanting frequently in 

 the greater part of those qualities which make their 

 services conducive to the neatness of houses and comfort 

 of families. What a difference would it make in this 

 country, if it could be supplied with nice, clean, dutiful 

 English maid servants ! As to the vien, it does not much 

 signify ; but, for the want of the maids, nothing but the 

 absence of grinding taxation can compensate. As to 

 bringing them with you, it is as wild a project as it would 

 be to try to carry the sunbeams to England. They will 

 begin to change before the ship gets on soundings ; and, 

 before they have been here a month, you must turn them 

 out of doors, or they will you. If, by any chance, you 

 find them here, it may do ; but bring them out and keep 

 them you cannot. The best way is to put on your phi- 

 losophy ; never to look at this evil without, at the same 

 time, looking at the many good things that you find 

 here. Make the best selection you can. Give good 

 wages, not too much work, and resolve, at all events, to 

 treat them with civility. 



840. However, what is this plague, compared with 

 that of the tax gatherer ? What is this plague com- 

 pared with the constant sight of beggars and paupers, 

 and the constant dread of becoming a pauper or beggar 

 yourself J If your commands are not obeyed with such 

 alacrity as in England, you have, at any rate, nobody 

 to command you. You are not ordered to " stand and 

 deliver" twenty or thirty times in the year by thfi iiisolent 

 agent of Boroughmongers, No one comes to forbid yoii 



