Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1875 — London Footmen. [ARTICLE]

London Footmen.

An uneasy feeling pervades society with regard to its footmen. It is confidently stated that there exists an association of London footmen, under the rules of which these “ faithful and attached domestics” are bound to stay in no place under any circumstances for a longer period than two years. Even if they lose wages by the change it must be made. The rules of the association are like the laws of the Medes and Persians —they are unalterable. This cuts society to the heart; for not only are the magnificent creatures treated with the utmost consideration by their employers, but they become the possessors of many family secrets, which, conveyed from one household to another, tend to loosen rather than consolidate the bonds of affection which unite, -or ought to unite, every Christian community. In the meantime Jeames will do well to act cautiously in the matter of combination. Already he is being superseded in many families by the parlor maid, who, it is found, makes less noise in waiting, gives far less trouble, and with the exception of his “ carriage duties” is as a servant his equal in every respect. He will also do well to . ponder over a terrible example which was made last century of & large number of servants who combined against their employers. In the Annual Register of 1760 ii.is stated that “near fifty English servants who lately went over with their masters to join the English troops in Germany having resolved to raise their wages and perquisites, their masters discharged them; they then procured passes to return to England; but, the ftffair being known on their arrival at Sheemess by the Captain of the Princess Royal man-of-war, he sent his long-boat ashore and pressed them into His Majesty’s service.” There is at the present moment in many quarters a strong feeling in favor of compulsory military service. The present Government is very strong, which is a temptation to become unscrupulous. What more likely than that it should avenge the wrongs of society by commencing the experiment with the London footmen?— Pall MaU Gasetts.