266 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



a responsible being, she evidently considers 

 herself answerable for the well-being of her 

 household. Hers is a labor of love as well 

 as duty. She asks, very pertinently, " What 

 qualities are most sought after, by mistresses 

 wanting servants ? Do they make any 

 inquiry about their principles, or moral 

 aptitude for the places they are required to 

 till ? Do they not rather ask, — if they have 

 been used to gentility (dreadful word !) 

 nice appearance, and good manners ? This 

 generally, is all that is cared for." Our 

 correspondent speaks the simple truth. 



Our limited space forbids us to follow this 

 amiable " Clergyman's Wife" through all her 

 excellent reasonings. It is evident that her 

 servants (seven in number), love and esteem 

 her. She records many pleasiug traits in 

 their respective characters, that interest us 

 greatly, and we are quite willing to believe 

 that in this country there are, as she says, 

 many families equally blessed with good ser- 

 vants. But, we ask, who and what made 

 them good servants ? Was it not all brought 

 about by kindness and consideration on the 

 part of the family ? The letters now before 

 us confirm the truth of our suspicion. If we 

 would set a good example, most assuredly 

 that example would be followed ; and, as 

 a necessary consequence, we should be 

 beloved. " Beloved by a domestic ! " we 

 hear some say ; " how truly horrible ! " 

 Is it indeed ? We cannot see it. 



One thing our country friends must bear 

 in mind — and that is, the immeasurable dis- 

 tance which is preserved in London between 

 families and their domestics. With few ex- 

 ceptions, they are not considered as being 

 worthy of notice. Beyond the prescribed 

 duties they are called upon to perform, 

 nothing more is expected from them. If 

 they are ill, there is no sympathy ; if they 

 are in trouble, there is no aid. They are 

 recognised as mere machines. They neither 

 care for the family they live with, nor the 

 family for them. Hence, the never-ceasing 

 changes, which the frightfully long list of 

 advertisements in the Times newspaper con- 

 firms daily. We frequently encounter some of 

 these wandering adventurers, and wonder 

 how and where they contrive to get places. 



For ourself, we are quite one of the old 

 school. We delight in being respected by 

 all who are associated with us, either in 

 high or low degree. We could not be 

 happy, and see the latter unhappy. We 

 could not abound, and let them want. We 

 could not see them sutler from illness, and 

 fail to inquire how they fared from day to 

 day (high treason this !) ; neither could we 

 dare to spurn them as creatures beneath our 

 notice. Oh, no ! such disgusting, unjustifi- 

 able pride reigns not in our breast. 



As regards our own observation, we know 



and visit several families wherein servants 

 have lived happily for nearly thirty years ; 

 and there is every prospect of their keeping 

 their situations* Their good-natured re- 

 cognition of us is very gratifying. We read 

 their thoughts in their happy, smiling coun- 

 tenances ; and we take care to let them read 

 ours. Much do we pity those,whose scorn and 

 contempt trample under toot all these natural 

 feelings. They are a numerous class truly ; 

 and no doubt they ridicule our vulgar notions. 

 But the censure of such men is praise. 



We have now, with all consistent brevity, 

 attempted to do honor to the " exceptions " 

 that have been brought before us, with 

 reference to domestic servants. We have 

 received evidence that among the mass there 

 are some excellent specimens of humanity. 

 All honor be to them ; and to the kind 

 noble-hearted heads of families -who have 

 made them what they are, and who glory in 

 setting their merits forth. 



We may be severe, but let us ever be ac- 

 counted just. 



* Our memory pleasingly supplies instances 

 not a few, when, about twenty-five years since, 

 things were much better ordered than they are 

 now — ex. gr. Well do we remember walking 

 over to breakfast (this we often did, for we 

 were ever a very early riser) with a delightful 

 family, at that time residing some ten miles 

 from town. Who was the first to anticipate 

 our arrival? " Polly." This kind-hearted do- 

 mestic, when she opened the door to us, greeted 

 us with a smile that we shall never forget. 

 Had this been wanting, we positively should 

 not have felt " happy." Polly had lived in this 

 family many years ; and she would most probably 

 have died in their service, had not Cupid whis- 

 pered in her ear (she was a pretty girl), nudged 

 her elbow, and suggested that " two heads were 

 better than one." The good-nature, too, with 

 which she would trip off to announce our arrival— 

 this was refreshing after a long walk. How dif- 

 ferent are modern observances ! Matrimony, how- 

 ever, changed neither her affection for her dear 

 mistress, sons, and daughters— nor did it abate, one 

 jot, their kind concern for her welfare. On the con- 

 trary, she was allowed to visit the house as usual; 

 and was always received with the frank welcome 

 which true honesty and faithful zeal demand. This 

 is one instance out of many which we feel pleased 

 to record. It reflects honor on that "happy 

 family." It affords encouragement for others 

 to follow " Polly's " example. Kindness made 

 her a good servant ; nor did she ever take ad- 

 vantage of the position she held in the household. 



WHAT IS LOGIC? 



Logic is a large drawer; containing some useful 

 instruments, and many more that are superfluous. 

 But a wise man will look into it for two purposes — 

 to avail himself of those instruments that are really 

 useful, and to admire the ingenuity with which 

 those that are not so are assorted and arranged. 



