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Mrs. Seely's Cook Book: A Manual of French and American Cookery : with ..

1902

Page 13

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
After the family bave gone to breakfast, she opens their bed- room Windows, takes clothes off the beds, one by one, placing them across two chairs to air, and tums the mattress across the foot of the bed to air. She then puts away any clothing, dress- ing-gowns, slippers, etc, washes out soap-dishes and other toilet articles, going through each bedroom in her care, and opening up each bed to air in each room. She then commences to make, at the first she opened for refreshing. Every day she should sweep up pieces and thoroughly dust not only the f urniture but woodwork of the room. Once a week every room should be thoroughly swept, and plumbing fixtures and Silver toilet arti- cles cleaned. One room a day should be done in this manner, the useful man cleaning the Windows and brasses, and, on a lad- 20 MB8. BKELT'a COOK SOOK der, Mriping over tops of doors, pictures, etc. Ali work should be finiflhed in the bedrooms before lunch. If there is not time to accomplish ali before lunch, then she cleans the Silver articles after, and brings them back to their places. One chambermaid is expected to assist in the pantry the nights of dinner parties, and, where two chambermaids are kept, they take evenings about. When dusk comes, the chambermaid draws down the shades and lights the gas. Where there are open fireplaces, she builds up a bright fire. If guests are stay- ing in the house, she sees that they bave everything they re- quire. After the fainily and gpiests go to dinner she removes and caref ully folds the lace spreads, etc., of the beds. She then tums the bed down nicely and lays the nightgown on it. Dressing-gowns and slippers are placed on or by chairs. She removes soiled towels and puts out f resh ones, tidies wash- stand, lowers gas, and sees that drinking water is put in ali bed- rooms not later than nine o'clock in winter ; ten will do in sum- mer. If gentlemen are staying in the house, and have no valet with them, the chambermaid in charge of their rooms either herself (or sees that the useful man) puts out the evening suit, a clean shirt with studs, etc., and, after the guest has gone to dinner, that the suit of clothes and boots he has wom through the day are taken away, cleaned and brought back ready f or the next moming. One of the first things for a chambermaid to learn is how properly to make a bed. Every bed which has been occupied should, to preservo the health of its occupant and the hygiene of the house, be thoroughly aired both in bed-clothes and mat- tress every time it is used. The first chambermaid has charge of ali bedrooms and bath-rooms on the second floor and one stairway. She also assists in the linen room. Ali beds are changed on Saturday so that the soiled clothes can go to the laundry that morning. The chambermaid's dress for moming wear should always ^ sé n i BIGHT8 AND DUTIE8 OF BERVANTB 21 be of light print material, waist and skirt to match. In the aftemoon she wéars waist and skirt of black cashmere or serge, white collar and cuffs. She wears cap and apron at aU times. Dutiee of Seoond Ohambermaid