of the housekeeper to attend to the marketing, in the absence of
either a house steward or man cook.

58. THE DAILY DUTIES OF A HOUSEKEEPER are regulated, in a great measure,
by the extent of the establishment she superintends. She should,
however, rise early, and see that all the domestics are duly performing
their work, and that everything is progressing satisfactorily for the
preparation of the breakfast for the household and family. After
breakfast, which, in large establishments, she will take in the
"housekeeper's room" with the lady's-maid, butler, and valet, and where
they will be waited on by the still-room maid, she will, on various days
set apart for each purpose, carefully examine the household linen, with
a view to its being repaired, or to a further quantity being put in hand
to be made; she will also see that the furniture throughout the house is
well rubbed and polished; and will, besides, attend to all the necessary
details of marketing and ordering goods from the tradesmen.

The housekeeper's room is generally made use of by the
lady's-maid, butler, and valet, who take there their breakfast,
tea, and supper. The lady's-maid will also use this apartment as
a sitting-room, when not engaged with her lady, or with some
other duties, which would call her elsewhere. In different
establishments, according to their size and the rank of the
family, different rules of course prevail. For instance, in the
mansions of those of very high rank, and where there is a house
steward, there are two distinct tables kept, one in the
steward's room for the principal members of the household, the
other in the servants' hall, for the other domestics. At the
steward's dinner-table, the steward and housekeeper preside; and
here, also, are present the lady's-maid, butler, valet, and head
gardener. Should any visitors be staying with the family, their
servants, generally the valet and lady's-maid, will be admitted
to the steward's table.

59. AFTER DINNER, the housekeeper, having seen that all the members of
the establishment have regularly returned to their various duties, and
that all the departments of the household are in proper working order,
will have many important matters claiming her attention. She will,
possibly, have to give the finishing touch to some article of
confectionary, or be occupied with some of the more elaborate processes
of the st