y,
and Lady Shuckburgh. It originally appeared in the _Observer_ of 8 Feb.,
1840, but was copied into the _Times_ and other papers.

(Copy 1). "Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckburgh,
and would be obliged to her for the character of Mary Stedman, who
states that she has lived twelve months, and still is, in Lady
Shuckburgh's establishment. Can Mary Stedman cook plain dishes well?
make bread? and is she honest, good tempered, sober, willing and
cleanly? Lady Seymour would also like to know the reason why she
leaves Lady Shuckburgh's service. Direct, under cover, to Lord
Seymour, Maiden Bradley."

(Copy 2.) "Lady Shuckburgh presents her compliments to Lady Seymour.
Her Ladyship's note, dated Oct. 28, only reached her yesterday, Nov.
3. Lady Shuckburgh was unacquainted with the name of the
kitchenmaid, until mentioned by Lady Seymour, as it is her custom
neither to apply for, or give characters to any of the under
servants, this being always done by the housekeeper, Mrs. Couch, and
this was well known to the young woman; therefore Lady Shuckburgh is
surprised at her referring any lady to her for a character. Lady
Shuckburgh having a professed cook, as well as a housekeeper, in her
establishment, it is not very likely she, herself, should know
anything about the ability or merits of the under-servants; therefore
she is unable to answer Lady Seymour's note. Lady Shuckburgh cannot
imagine Mary Stedman to be capable of cooking for any, except the
servants' hall table. Nov. 4, Pavilion, Hans Place."

(Copy 3.) "Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckburgh,
and begs she will order her housekeeper, Mrs. Pouch, to send the
girl's character without delay; otherwise, another young woman will
be sought for elsewhere, as Lady Seymour's children cannot remain
without their dinners, because Lady Shuckburgh, keeping 'a proffessed
cook and a housekeeper,' thinks a knowledge of the details of her
establishment beneath her notice. Lady Seymour understood from
Stedman that, in addition to her other talents, she was actually
capable of dressing food for the little Shuckburghs to partake of,
when hungry."

[To this note was appended a clever pen-and-ink vignette, by the Queen of
Beauty, representing the three little Shuckburghs, with large,
turnip-looking heads and caulifl