I believe that there is no charitable institution which more thoroughly deserves support than the Metropolitan Association for Befriending Young Servants, affectionately contracted by its supporters into the “MABYS.”  Here is one of its advertisements, from which, I am bound to say, the alluring skill displayed by Mr. Squeers is curiously absent:—­

“Will any one undertake as SERVANT a bright, clean, neat girl, who is deceitful, lazy, and inclined to be dishonest?  Address, Hon. Secretary, M.A.B.Y.S., 21 Charlotte Street, S.E.”

I remember some years ago an advertisement which sought a kind master and a pleasant home for a large, savage dog; and I remember how admirably Punch described the kind of life which the “large, savage dog” would lead the “kind master” when he got him.  But really the vision of a bright maid-servant who is “deceitful, lazy, and inclined to be dishonest,” and the havoc which she might work in a well-ordered household, is scarcely less appalling.  A much more deserving case is this which I append:—­

“Under-Housekeeper, under-Matron, desired by a Young Woman, age 22.  Energetic, domesticated.  Great misfortune in losing right arm, but good artificial one.  Happy home, with small remuneration.”

It is not, I fear, in my power to make a contribution of permanent value to the “Great Servant Question.”  But, having given instances of insufficient qualification in people seeking to be employed, I now turn to the opposite side of the account, and, after perusing what follows, would respectfully ask, Who is sufficient for these things?

“Can any lady or gentleman recommend a MAN and WIFE (Church of England)?  Man useful indoors and out.  Principal duties large flower-garden, small conservatory, draw bath-chair, must wait at table, understand lamps, non-smoker, wear dress suit except in garden.  Clothes and beer not found.  Family, lady and child, lady-help.  House-parlourmaid kept.  Must not object to small bedroom.  Wife plain cook (good), to undertake kitchen offices, dining-room, and hall (wash clothes).  Joint wages L50, all found.”

Now there is really a study in exacting eccentricity which Thackeray might have made the subject of a “Roundabout Paper.”  In the first place, the two servants must be man and wife—­unmarried people need not apply—­and yet they must be contented with a small bedroom.  The family consists of a lady (apparently an invalid), a child, a lady-help, and a house-parlourmaid.  For these the wife must cook, and cook well, besides cleaning the dining-room, hall and offices, and washing the clothes.  Her husband, yet more accommodating, must attend to a large flower-garden and a small conservatory, must draw a bath-chair, wait at table and clean lamps.  After all these varied and arduous labours, he is denied the refreshment of a pipe; but, as a kind of compensation, he is not obliged to wear his dress suit when he is gardening!  The joint wages are L50, with all found except clothes and beer; and the lucky recipients of this overpowering guerdon must be members of the Church of England.