PRIDE IN THE SERVANTS' HALL. 69 



the assistance of divers fragrant perfumes, kindly 

 supplied by one of the lady's maids, the odora ca- 

 7ium vis was effectually subdued, when we made our 

 appearance down stairs. 



From these few little incidents a tolerable in- 

 sight into the character of the Squire of Tedworth 

 may be obtained. In matters of the highest im- 

 port, down to those of the most trivial kind, the 

 same unyielding spirit might be traced, contending 

 with and generally trampling all difficulties op- 

 posed to him under foot. His rules and regulations 

 as to the management of his household were also 

 characteristic of the man, of which I may relate 

 one instance. 



Lady D was staying at Tedworth, who had 



a very fine lady's maid, as such in high families 

 generally are, giving themselves more airs than 

 their mistresses. This lady had been accustomed 

 to associate only with the upper servants, break- 

 fasting and dining in the housekeeper's room, and 

 great was her indignation when told the rule of 

 the house, that all the servants were obliged to 

 take their meals together in the servants' hall. 

 To this, at first, the haughty damsel would not 

 submit, making complaint to her mistress of this 

 harsh treatment, to which she had never before 

 been subjected ; but her mistress, not sorry to see 



