whom they are intrinsically inferior, on account of the adventitious elevation which they derive from their connexion with us. Kindness does not show itself in flattering their foi bles, or in fostering their vanity; but in a steady desire to promote their real happiness. We should allow occasional relaxation, not only for the management of their temporal and spiritual concerns, but also for the purposes of innocent amusement; though in this latter particular it will doubtless be advisable to preserve some sort of superintendance over their pleasures; for servants have often a most diabolical pride in deceiving their superiors; and those hours are most likely to be ill employed which are removed from all restraining control.

Watchfulness, therefore, becomes an essential part of a mistress's duty: how it can be practised by those "whose

3

feet never abide in their own house," is difficult to conceive. We require too much from that nature which self-examination must tell us is weak, frail, and corrupt, when we expect that those who have no permanent interest in our concerns will supply the care and good management which we totally omit. A negligent master and mistress are considered as lawful prey by their domestics; and those who are proverbially easy and know nothing, are at once cheated and despised for a disposition which (however it may engage the affection and esteem of generous and enlightened characters) seldom fails to excite the rapacity of the ignorant, who are wise only in cunning. It is this which makes a previous acquaintance with domestic affairs so necessary a part of a young woman's education; and it is to the neglect of this, that the knavery of ser

vants may often be imputed; for they rarely attempt fraud and deceit, but when they think they may practice it with impunity. To speak impartially, may we not also ascribe capricious, petulant, and suspicious mistresses to the same source? By setting out with unbounded confidence in those who serve us, we certainly open the door for gross imposition;

and as detection is sure to follow dishonesty sooner or later, the natural transition in our own minds will conduct us from cheated credulity to unjust suspicion; and if we are too little acquainted with household management to know when we meet with fidelity and industry, everlasting jealousy and contention are the consequence,-till, by a most uncomfortable and culpable perversion of our judgment, we include all servants in one iniquitous class of cheats and deceivers. The almost inevitable

consequence of this injurious conclusion is that all with whom we are concerned prove to be so.

will

I am far from wishing a mistress. of a family to be wholly engrossed with superintending the conduct of her household; much less would I have her establish a system of espionage, and create herself inquisitor general; for these measures would only render her hated and unhappy. It is sufficient if she uniformly display vigilance and intelligence. No fault, which she is known to have observed should be suffered to pass without a reprimand, proportioned (let me be permitted to observe) to the moral turpitude of the action, not to the casual inconvenience which arises from it. All wilful neglects, and even insolence of behaviour come under this description, because attention and civility are positive parts of a servant's duty as prescribed by the law of

giving lenity.

God*: but awkwardness, forgetfulness, and error, should be treated with forlenity. I am sorry to have observed, that among the vices of the lower orders falsehood and envy seem so predominant as to be almost incurable. They are however such black offences, that a conscientious mistress will never remit her endeavours to expel them from her own household. By way of curing the first, she should easily pardon faults that are frankly confessed; nor should she too strictly persevere in inquiries which she has reason to believe will create a strong temptation to duplicity. By these methods, and by uniformly expressing her detestation of falsehood and evasion, she may break a young servant of telling lies of excuse, which many

* "Servants, be subject to your own inasters "with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Not answering again. "Not slothful in business; not with eye-service."