Mrs. Salisbury's Stove

This week, my kitchen dearies, I’ll share a recipe. This is my most famous and most delicious beef steak pie, eaten by generations of the B---- family, made by my mother and her mother before for family and service alike. Enjoy, poppets!

For your beef steak pie

Steaks you must, of course, buy.

Only the finest of cuts

A shoulder, a loin, perhaps even butt

On a board lay them flat.

Beat them well with a pin.

Salt and pepper – add that!

To your tastes be they seasoned.

Make a good crust.

If you can’t then you must

Leave the kitchen this minute;

No fools allowed in it.

Lay that crust in a pan.

Fill with water – half full.

Place the steak in by hand.

More seas’ning! (never dull)

Add one tablespoon butter right into the dish.

(one spoonful more if you like your pie rich)

Some parsley, some thyme, added right in.

Lay down the crust, to cover the tin.

Bake one hour, or two

Depends on what size you’ve got.

Don’t dally, just chew,

It’s best while it’s hot!

Seeking Position as a Maid

To whom it may concern,

     I have long been searching for a position as a lady’s maid. My tale is a sad one, for I was dismissed from my former position without reason. How ardently I cared for my lady! How fervently I sought her best interests! I was treated with the most despicable ingratitude and was heartlessly replaced by a young gulping fool. I wish to serve as I did previously. I only ask that someone give me a chance. Anyone who does would never regret the decision, for a better servant could not be found if one searched the entire world a thousand times. I can assure you that I would be wholeheartedly devoted to any lady I serve.

         Sincerely,

             Mademoiselle Hortense

My Good Position in Service

     I am a maid. That is all I am. Perhaps the only place I will ever be is in service. I like being a maid. I’m suited for the strong work. It’s a good position. My master and mistress make up a respectable family, and they are kind, if distant, people. I wouldn’t want to lose my position… but what if I left?

     I wash; I clean; I make fires; I help in the kitchen. What other jobs can there be in the world? My sister left service for a factory two years ago, and I was ashamed she would abandon a good position at a good house. But her life sounds wonderful from what she writes – or better than mine, at least. For every 80 hours a week I do of back-breaking work, she performs but a mere 56 of the same factory work over and over. My sister speaks often of her worker friends. I’m quite lonely here. There’s Cook and there’s her ladyship’s lady maid and some footmen. But this is a lonely life. I don’t know if I have a true friend. But it’s a good position. No one should leave such a good post. Right?

Dosh Labor

     Today was yet another day of turmoil. It was a 6s week once more. I get to stay at Dean Street House caused I work as the maid. My sum was fixed. Needling point all night long, the range kept me warm through the 18 hour day. The wage is too less. Not earning near the expected 40 Euro year fusses me. I need to find a new work. No longer can I do duty to my house and Ladyship. I am much tired and weary of these terms. Housekeeper Rouncewell ain’t making me stay. I use to taking care of many rooms and stoves found inside them rooms. The Tireless to me duties, change need to be ‘round soon.  The Lord be helpin’ me during my struggle. For other work is near.

By: Charley Worndsout (Michelle McWilliams)

The "Good" Lady

Dear Above and Below,

       I am a servant for a very respectable family and have a few things I would like to address. M’lady is very rude and does not appreciate no think. M’lady pays no attention to her poor children. I am more of a mother to her children than she is. M’lady cares more about Africa then she does her own daughter. M’lady’s daughter is about to get married and M’lady has no idea. She’d rather fight for Africa than allow her child to be happy.

                                                                                     Sincerely,

       An Annoyed Servant   

One Rotten Apple

I saw a rather nasty thing the other day. If I had been a Lady of the house I would've had to look away. Lucky for me, I'm just a footman so my stomach could handle it. In order to protect the identities of the good Lord and Lady and their household, I'll just say it concerns the House of D-----. A maid with a certain Napoleonic air about her conducted herself in a matter most unfit for someone of her position. From what I heard and saw, the girl was defiant of her mistress so much so that she refused to get in the carriage with the good Lady! Instead she took to walking around in the mud with not a thing on her feet like a common street urchin. It was just shameful. Just know we ain't all like that. Most of us in service is dignified and real refined!

Scrupulous Ways

     As a maid, it is only human nature to want more. Often, masters resent the strife of servants to better their condition and the servants resent the mores of masters to keep them in their exact discipline and class. Not only do maids become worrisome about such things but they then have to be competitive amongst other maids.  A Master and Mistress of a household may “respect” in some aspects and treat the maid/s as part of the family, but only under the condition that the maid is below them and their servant or possession. The power dynamic supports the system of aristocracy. Nonetheless, the maids have to remain honorable and do their job. Regardless of the exploitation they may face, a maid must continue her job because it is her livelihood. A servant in a house can be treated less than human, for the true nobles of Victorian society are the maids.

            

Miss Pruente's Propriety Principles

Advice for Servants for the Running of a Prim and Proper House

Servants follow very strict rules. Servants are required to be obedient and loyal. They must not talk unless they are directly spoken too. When they are spoken to, their hands must be kept still and they must always look at the person addressing them.  If a servant is required to walk with a lady or gentleman, they must always keep a few steps behind. Servants have to learn to be fast eaters and never eat dinner at the dining room table. 

Mrs. Salisbury's Stove

Tales, advice, recipes and tips from a House Kitchen

     Through my years in service, starting out as a kitchen maid, then the cook’s assistant, then Head Cook at a respectable House in Lincolnshire were I remain today, I’ve seen a good many things. But, if there’s one truer than true thing I can tell you, it’s that us cooks are indispensable. I can’t think of a single House – not one worth its salt anyway – without a cook. Maids come and go. Valets are out the door as soon as a gentleman learns he can dress himself. But a cook, she’s the backbone of any good House. A family’s got to eat. Can’t get anything done without eating. And the rest of a House service staff can’t run on an empty stomach either.

     We’re so indispensable, were dispensable. I once knew a woman who lost her position because she went to go see her mum on her death bed. The mistress couldn't boil water if she tried. She was clueless and sacked the cook because she was so mad. If a Lady wants to have a dinner party, she won’t get far with her guests without a skilled cook at the stove. So, all you girls, if you’re going into the noble profession of service, aim for cook. So long as nobody else goes hungry, you’ll never go hungry.

               

  Yours in cooking,

                Mrs. Salisbury