The servant's behaviour book: or, Hints on manners and dress for maid servants in small households

About this Edition

The servant's behaviour book by Emily A. Patmore is a conduct manual for maid servants written in the mid-19th century. It offers practical, step-by-step guidance on manners, speech, deportment, waiting at table, and dress, aimed at helping young women in small households appear well-bred and advance in service. The opening of the book adopts a warm, instructive tone, explaining that good manners are as vital as skill and can raise a servant’s prospects. It first lays down a central rule about voice and speech: do not speak unless necessary, be brief, avoid chat or “prefacing,” and apologize politely when you must intrude, with clear examples of both good and bad practice. It then covers using respectful titles (always “sir,” “ma’am,” “miss,” “Master John,” “Miss Julia”), and explains why reserve between mistress and servant protects everyone’s time and comfort. Early guidance also touches on speaking only in low tones around the house, never calling from room to room, answering orders and reproofs courteously, and the basics of quiet, graceful movement and posture when entering rooms and receiving instructions.

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