Browse Items (46 total)

Letter to the editor from famous Victorian critic John Ruskin, arguing that in order to create better servants, employers should act worthy of being well-served--that is, they should treat their servants as they themselves would like to be treated,…

Humorous essay describing the stereotypical background, personality and attitudes of the average Thomas,the footman.

photo of domestic servant who was arrested for stealing jewelry and clothing

The columnist describes the problem of poor skill and work ethic of servant girls and how to address the problem.

Information on household utensils, laundry

Title from data provided by the Bain News Service on the negative.
Photo shows Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934), a banker, philanthropist, and arts patron. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2010)

A novel relating the story of a poor girl who becomes a kitchen maid. She is seduced by a son of her employer.

A parlor maid serves afternoon tea to her mistress. Serving tea was one of the main jobs assigned to parlourmaids.

Painting of a female servant peeling apples. Artist showed servants working in idealized settings

Painting of a governess with two of her young charges, i.e. the two girls she cares for