The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 16/Laws for the Dean's Servants

LAWS


FOR THE


DEAN'S SERVANTS.


December 7th, 1733.


IF either of the two men servants be drunk, he shall pay an English crown out of his wages for the said offence, by giving the dean a receipt for so much wages received.

When the dean is at home, no servant shall presume to be absent, without giving notice to the dean, and asking leave, upon the forfeiture of six pence for every half-hour that he is absent, to be stopped out of his or her board-wages.

When the dean is abroad, no servant, except the woman, shall presume to leave the house for above one half-hour; after which, for every half-hour's absence, he shall forfeit six pence: and if the other servant goes out before the first returns, he shall pay five shillings out of his wages, as above.

Whatever servant shall be taken in a manifest lie, shall forfeit one shilling out of his or her board-wages.

When the dean goes about the house, or out-houses, or garden, or to Naboth's Vineyard, whatever things he finds out of order, by neglect of any servant under whose care it was, that servant shall forfeit six pence, and see to get it mended as soon as possible, or suffer more forfeitures at the dean's discretion.

If two servants be abroad together when the dean is from home, and the fact be concealed from the dean; the concealer shall forfeit two crowns out of his or her wages, as above.

If, in waiting at table, the two servants be out of the room together, without orders, the last who went out shall forfeit three pence out of his board-wages.

The woman may go out when the dean is abroad for one hour, but no longer, under the same penalty with the men; but provided the two men-servants keep the house until she returns: otherwise, either of the servants who goes out before her return, shall forfeit a crown out of his wages, as above.

Whatever other laws the dean shall think fit to make, at any time to come, for the government of his servants, and forfeitures for neglect or disobedience, all the servants be bound to submit to.

Whatever other servant, except the woman, shall presume to be drunk, the other two servants shall inform the dean thereof, under pain of forfeiting two crowns out of his or her wages, beside the forfeiture of a crown from the said servant who was drunk.