Assuredly they are. It can hardly be conceived that the death and the insanity would take place if employers were fully aware of the facts of the case. The lowest and most selfish dread of responsibility would induce a reordering and amelioration of the work done, and some consideration about quiet meals and sufficient sleep. If we could obtain the statistics of the case of maids-of all-work in quiet, considerate small households, and in large families or lodging-houses, we should soon witness a great change in the lot of the class. If so, there is nothing to prevent the change beginning now,—at any moment after any reader, or any witness becomes aware that this particular class of women servants is more liable than other persons to insanity, and premature decay and death.
The responsibility rests chiefly with the mistress of the household. Not quite always, for I have known a parsonage full of pupils where the maid who had been toiling from before six in the morning, was set down to her needle, when everybody else was gone to bed, to make her master’s fine shirts; and when her eyes went—from sheer overwork and want of sleep, and she became nearly blind—it was through her master’s pious encouragements and coaxings to work to the utmost, for Christ’s sake. As often as she declared that she could not go on sitting up till one or two o’clock over her stitching, he urged her by praise and religious stimulus. When her friends asked her why she submitted to such perilous toil, she answered that she thought her mistress was inexperienced, and did not know what she required; and her master encouraged her so kindly, and afforded her such religious privileges, that, as often as she meant to go, she was again induced to stay. At last her sight was so much impaired that there was no longer any question of her staying.
Such instances occur here and there; but few employers would have courage to go so far; and especially, few husbands would choose to sustain the ignorant oppression perpetrated by their wives. On the contrary, if the full truth were known, we should see ladies undertaking that the maid should not be disturbed at her dinner, and so arranging as to dismiss her to bed before ten o’clock. They would also bethink themselves of lessening the disturbance and anxiety of their one domestic by doing more of those light offices which would be a very small fatigue to them, and a great relief to the kitchen member of the household. The relief would be out of all proportion to the work done; for it is the multifarious character of the maid’s work which oppresses her faculties more than the mere toil wearies her limbs. Her release from certain definite departments would lighten the pressure of all the rest.
There are other considerations of far greater importance. The loneliness of the solitary maid-servant is a thing which very few people seem to think of at all. Other servants have their mutual companionship, while the hardest worked of all has none. There is plenty of joking about policemen, and butcher’s men, and bakers’ boys, in connection with maid-servants; but, speaking with mournful gravity, there is something worse than intrusive policemen to be dreaded if any woman—and especially an educated woman—is consigned to a life of toil without the solace of human intercourse.
A sensible and humane mistress will be the friend of her servant;—will converse with her—tell her the news—inquire about her family—invite a friend to see her now and then, and permit the visits of respectable relations and acquaintance, within reasonable limits.
I have seen such a mistress repairing her maid’s gown; and I considered it a very graceful occupation. I have known a lady plan, with real solicitude, the best way to manage about her maid’s wardrobe, and the economy of her wages. I trust it is no uncommon thing to see mistresses undertaking the charge of the house, so that the maid may get her “Sunday out,” or even a day at the Crystal Palace. But it seems to be too true that the haughtiest spirit appears among the lowest order of housekeepers, and that maids-of all-work have therefore more hardship, more discouragement, and more loneliness of spirit, as well as of life, to bear than the comparatively small classes of special servants.
Except in situations which bring in gifts or fees, such as lodging-houses, the maid-of-all-work has lower wages than the cook, housemaid, or nurse, while she has a continually decreasing chance of improving herself and her position. She is lonely day by day, and her future is fearful. Her spirits droop; her health fails; she rushes into some excitement of love or religion; she is disappointed or shocked, or despairing, and she passes into Bedlam, or a workhouse infirmary; and, after a time, to a premature grave.
This is the fate of some—of many. No one will suppose that it is an average account of domestic service in the humble households of England. The fact being disclosed that there is much insanity and premature mortality in a particular class of domestic servants, it has simply been shown how the thing happens.
The next effort ought to be to stop its happening in time to come.
THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
CHAPTER III.
Who was the Sloth? Where was he to be found? I had been a reasonably attentive reader of political discussions in my own day, and I can very confidently assert that I had never heard of any gentleman known by this sobriquet as possessing any extraordinary influence over public events. Rareton had disappeared into the House. I did not, however, choose to return to Marigold Lodge without having arrived at some definite results, for it was borne in upon my mind that Flora would have prepared something very particular for our little evening repast upon this memorable occasion, and it would never do for me to say that, as far as I was concerned, the day had been barren of results.
Under these circumstances, I resolved to step round to the Brutus Club, and consult my friend Jeremiah Moon about the Sloth, and how I could soonest obtain speech of that gentleman.