MRS. SAUNDERS—­I have received a letter from your daughter, which, I presume, was forwarded as a specimen of her penmanship; otherwise it was your duty to have addressed me yourself.  I said to you, when I met you at Greenwich, that you were educating your daughter above her condition in life, and I now repeat it.  My patronage is extended only to those who are not above their situations, which, I am sorry to observe, most people are now.  Nevertheless, as I did say that I would exert my influence in your daughter’s behalf, in consequence of your having been a decent, well-behaved menial to me, I have made inquiry among my acquaintances, and find that I may be, possibly, able to place her with my friend, Lady Towser, as a ‘boudoir-assistant.’  I have said possibly, as I am by no means sure that she will be equal to the situation, and the number of applicants are very numerous.  The inclosed paper from Lady Towser will give you an idea of what will be requisite: 

“Morning, up at 6, and nicely dressed; come in in list shoes, and wait at bedside, in case Lady Towser should be troubled with her morning cough, to hand the emulsion, etc.  At 9, to call and assist to dress Lady Towser’s head tirewoman; follow her to Lady T.’s chamber, and obey orders.  Breakfast in housekeeper’s room.  After breakfast assist housemaid to dust ornaments, and on Saturdays and Wednesdays, wash, comb, and examine dogs; other days comb and examine them only; clean and feed macaw, cockatoo, and parrot, also canary and other birds; bring up dogs’ dinners, and prevent them fighting at meals.  After dogs’ dinners read to Lady T., if required; if not, get up collars and flounces, laces, etc., for Lady T. and Lady T.’s tirewoman.  After your own dinner assist housekeeper as required in the still-room; fine needlework; repair clothes before they go to wash; dress and brush Lady T.’s perukes; walk out with dogs if weather is fine, and be careful to prevent their making any acquaintances whatever.

“Evening—­Read to Lady T., write notes, look over bills, and keep general accounts; if not wanted, to make herself useful in housekeeper’s room, and obey all orders received from her or head tirewoman.  At night see that the hot water is ready for Lady T.’s feet, and wait for her retiring to bed; wash Lady T.’s feet, and cut corns, as required; read Lady T. to sleep, or, if not required to read, wait till she is certain that Lady T. is so.

“Now the only points in which I think your daughter may fail is in properly washing, combing, and examining the dogs, and cutting her ladyship’s corns; but surely she can practice a little of both, as she will not be wanted for a month.  There can be no difficulty about the first; and as for the latter, as all people in your rank of life have corns, she may practice upon yours or her father’s.  At all events, there can be no want of corns in Greenwich