The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

House rent in Bombay itself . ..... 80 to 100 ,, in Mofussil . . . . . • . 50 to 60 Servants — three indoor, one outdoor, and washing Stable servant, one ....... Keep of horse ........ Average bazaar account (e.xcluding wood and stones,- also milk and bread) ...... Fuel . . . . . . . _ • Furnishing si.v-roomed house, including china, gla.ss, etc. 1 F. A. S. Housekeeper and Cook The prices of bazaar furniture are the same as those given for Madras. Blackwood furniture is famed, and it may be good in the damp climate of Bombay, but in more dusty places is a weariness to the good housewife’s soul, by reason of its many crannies, which nothing bigger than a toothbrush will clean. House rent in Bombay itself varies from Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 for one suitable to newly married couple, but rooms can be had in the Fort from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80. In the country Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 would be a fair rent. It is necessary to have a butler or boy, at, say, Rs. 20 ; a cook at Rs. 15; a hamal at Rs. 10 ; washerman at Rs. 5 a head. In Bombay itself water is laid on, elsewhere a water-carrier must be kept at Rs. 6 ; and everywhere some sort of servant is necessary to do the rough sweeping and attend to conser- vancy arrangements. A really economical bazaar account for two people would be from Rs. 2 to Rs. 2-8 a day. This apparently does not include milk or bread. Beef is 2 annas a pound, and mutton 3 annas. Sufficient fish should be got for 3 annas to serve for one day. Milk is about 7 seers the rupee. Eggs are 6 annas a dozen. Punkahs in Bombay itself are little used, and when required from March till June at meal times are often pulled by the hamal. It is never advisable to take out furniture. Indeed, in Bombay due attention must be paid to the fact that one is in direct communication with England ; and that therefore everything can be bought in the shops more reasonably than in any other part of India. The dam]) is another potent factor in Bombay life, and stores should all be kept in stoppered bottles. Estimate for Madras Ks. a. House rent (town) ..... ,, (up country) .... Indoor servants, five ; outdoor, two . Punkah coolies, necessary all the year round Stable servants, per horse Average cost of hoi’se per month (including stable, oil. farrier, &c.) ..... Average bazaar account .... Firewood ...... Furnishing six-roomed house, including china. glass, &c. . The Complete Indian The prices of furniture are roughly — Es. a. E.S. a. Dining table, 3 leaves . 30 Small tfibles . . 1 to 4 Dinner waggon . Beds complete Avith mat- Dinner chairs 2 to 2 tresses and nets 10 to 25 Long arm-cliair . . 7 Wardrobe Avith shelves . 15 Camp tiibles . . . . 4 Hanging „ . 30 Sideboard .... . 40 Commodes for bath- •rooms 6 Couch . 25- Dressing-tables . . . 5 AV'^batuot .... Washstcind . . . . 5 Arm-cbair .... . 10 Chest drawers . . 14 to 20 Cane chairs . 3 Chairs .... . . 2