cringing servility of the mass of our English population. Scotchmen
do particularly well out here; frugal and thrifty, hard-working and
sober, it is easy to predict the future of a man of this type in a
new country. Naturally, the whole tone of thought and feeling is
almost exclusively practical; even in a morning visit there is no
small-talk. I find no difficulty in obtaining the useful
information upon domestic subjects which I so much need; for it is
sad to discover, after all my house-keeping experience, that I am
still perfectly ignorant. Here it is necessary to know _how_
everything should be done; it is not sufficient to give an order,
you must also be in a position to explain how it is to be carried
out I felt quite guilty when I saw the picture in _Punch_ the other
day, of a young and inexperienced matron requesting her cook "not to
put any lumps into the melted butter," and reflected that I did not
know how lumps should be kept out; so, as I am fortunate enough to
number among my new friends a lady who is as clever in these
culinary details as she is bright and charming in society, I
immediately went to her for a lesson in the art of making melted
butter without putting lumps into it.

The great complaint, the never-ending subject of comparison and
lamentation among ladies, is the utter ignorance and inefficiency of
their female servants. As soon as a ship comes in it is besieged
with people who want servants, but it is very rare to get one who
knows how to do anything as it ought to be done. Their lack of all
knowledge of the commonest domestic duties is most surprising, and
makes one wonder who in England did the necessary things of daily
cottage life for them, for they appear to have done nothing for
themselves hitherto. As for a woman knowing how to cook, that seems
the very last accomplishment they acquire; a girl will come to you