The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

A good mistress in India will try to set a good example to her servants in routine, method, and tidiness. Half-an- hour after breakfast should be sufficient for the whole arrangements for the day; but that half-hour should be given as punctually as possible. An untidy mistress invari- ably has untidy, a weak one, idle servants. It should never be forgotten that — though it is true in both hemispheres that if you want a thing done you should do it yourself — still, having to do it is a distinct confession of failure in your original intention. Anxious housewives are too apt to accept defeat in this way ; the result being that the lives of educated women are wasted in doing the Avork of lazy servants. The authors’ advice is therefore — “ Never do work which an ordinarily good servant ought to be 6 The Complete Indian able to do. If the one you have will not or cannot do it, get another who can.’' In regard to engaging new servants, written certihcates to character are for the most part of no use whatever, except in respect to length of service, and its implied testimony to honesty. A man who has been six or seven years m one place is not likely to be a thief, though the authors regret to say the fact is no safeguard as far as qualifications go. 1 he best plan is to catch your servants young, promoting them to more experienced wages on the buksheesh theory above- mentioned. They generally learn fast enough if it is made worth their while in this way. On the other hand, it as a rule, a mistake to keep servants too long in India. Officials should be especially careful on this point, as the Oriental mind connects a confidential servant with corruption. To return to written certificates. Their total abolition is impossible in India where the society is so fluctuating, but it would certainly be advantageous if a stand against them was made, except in certain cases. There is no reason whatever why further personal reference should not be requested. In the majority of cases this request could be complied with, to the great benefit of distracted house- keepers who, having engaged a by the seven cardinal virtues, find that the only meut pLsesses is being the son of a father who having died in the odour of sanctity, left his certificates to Redivided amongst his children ! But in this, as in all the ditticultms besetting Indian housekeeping, combined effort is wanting. it may safely be said that if Indian servants found cleanli- ness necessary in every service they took, the Present abom^^^^ tions would soon disappear, for they are natuni ly obedient. It is always advisable to give neat, durable, ^^ry coats for wearing when on actual duty in the house. ^^^’«;J^lolotl is a mistake, being hard to keep clean, and to get h.sty Good washing serge, such as that to he got at the Big Mills is best,^ made to fit well, but loosely, with sleeves of Zner Imigth and width. These coats, in the case of table Li vants, sliouU liaus on pegs m the pantry, »'« »"'y ^ 1" ‘ „u for actual attendanoe. If carefu ly Itf! away as the warm season comes on, they ill last i Jemi For camp work, &c, a counnoner rvash.ug su.t may Housekeeper and Cook 7