any altercation of language. You cannot easily find another
who will serve you worse.

As for those precautions which are ordinarily taken, to
secure the procurence of good servants, they are, without
exception, utterly useless. The author of the Rambler has
remarked, that a written _character_ of a servant is worth
about as much as a discharge from the Old Bailey. I never,
but once, took any trouble to inquire what reputation a
servant had held in former situations. On that occasion, I
heard that I had engaged the very Shakespeare of menials,--
Aristides was not more honest,--Zeno more truth-telling,--nor
Abdiel more faithful. This fellow, after insulting me daily
for a week, disappeared with my watch and three pair of
boots.

Those offices which profess to recommend good domestics, are
"bosh,--nothing." In nine cases out of ten, the keepers are
in league with the servants; and in the tenth, ignorance,
dishonesty, or carelessness will prevent any benefit
resulting from,their "intelligence." All that you can do is,
to take the most decent creature who applies; trust in
Providence, and lock every thing up.

Never speak harshly, or superciliously, or hastily to a
servant. There are many little actions which distinguish, to
the eye of the most careless observer, a gentleman from one
not a gentleman; but there is none more striking than the
manner of addressing a servant. Issue your commands with
gravity and gentleness, and in a reserved manner. Let your