Supposing now that we have our house, and it is furnished, the next thing to determine is how many servants can be afforded. Must we be content with one, a "general house-servant;" or can we afford a cook and housemaid, or even aspire to the gentility of a man-servant or a butler?

The expenses must be determined by the sum which can, without incurring debts or living too closely up to one's income, be devoted to " housekeeping," under which head we include rent, taxes, wages, and every outlay appertaining to the house. Now, in reckoning the expenses of a servant, the question of wages is not the only one to be considered; there is the board and washing; and $100, exclusive of wages, is the lowest at which the keep of each servant can be estimated.

In hiring servants always be particular in inquiring their character, and, if possible, learn something of the people with whom they have lived; let all stipulations as to wages, extras, holidays, and such matters, be clearly specified and rightly understood.

The greatest trouble in housekeeping is the difficulty of procuring and retaining good servants. In some parts of the world this difficulty is not realized; their servants having; been trained for the labor allotted to them, and being contented and happy in their condition without aspirations after change. But in America, both in the city and country, the case is different; too often men and women look upon service as degrading to them, and will prefer any hardship or privation to engaging in it as a business. Those who do so for a time, are usually tormented with jealous fears that their dignity will be infringed on, or are found neither qualified nor trustworthy. Housekeepers are mainly dependent on the Irish and German emigrants, who as a rule are utterly ignorant of household service, and have to be taught every thing; often receiving wages for months before they begin to make themselves useful. By the time they can be trusted to do the work, they are corrupted by intercourse with other servants, or persons who prompt them to make exactions on your time for visiting their numerous relatives from the old country, as well as to fill your kitchen with strangers, till the annoyance becomes intolerable. A complaint on this score from the employers is followed by an outbreak of insolence, and the abrupt departure of the servant you have taken such pains to teach;- and so unusual is it to find one who knows any thing - that she will readily get another place, perhaps with one of your neighbors who has envied you her possession.

An English lady gave this account of the progress of a favorite - "The first year she was a good servant; the second an indulgent mistress; the third an intolerable tyrant."

A good maxim is to select servants not younger than thirty; they are, as a rule, less fond of change, and better satisfied when really comfortable. But change is the order of things in the United States.

Respecting servants, there are a few things which cannot be too strongly urged; one is, never to retain a cook who is not fond of her occupation; for unless she take pleasure in her art, she cannot be depended upon for accuracy in the preparation of dishes with which she is well acquainted, and will not easily be induced to acquire any thing new. She also must possess a natural regard for cleanliness, or all the pains in the world will never render her cleanly: where dirty habits are manifested, dismissal should follow, for in almost every instance they will be found incurable. Another point of main importance is her temper; for if that be not good, she will be disinclined to receive instructions, and, if found fault with, may, out of pique, spoil a dinner; whereas a good-humored, intelligent servant, when made acquainted with the habits of the house, and equal to her common duties, will hardly fail of success when called upon by her mistress to try any of those receipts which she has not already used.

The low character of servants heard of at common intelligence offices has caused such places to be held in small esteem; for their recommendations can in no case be depended on. There are institutions in Great Britain which have for their object the security of housekeepers from the evils of disreputable and dishonest inmates. The officials are so minute in their inquiries into character, as to preclude the necessity of those who hire from their office taking any trouble themselves in the business. Servants whose characters will not bear the strictest investigation will scarcely apply to such institutions. They are sorely needed in this country.

It may be curious to see the list of servants which form the household of a British nobleman of high rank, or a wealthy citizen, who keeps from twenty to thirty domestics.

Women.

Housekeeper.

A lady's maid for each grown lady of the family.

Cook.

Upper housemaid.

Laundry maid.

Under housemaid.

Under laundry maid.

Still room maid.

Kitchen maid.

Scullion.

(To this establishment that of the nursery is added.)

Men.

House steward.

Groom of the chamber.

Valet to each gentleman in the family.

Man cook.

Butler.

Gentleman's footman.

Lady's footman.

Under butler.

Gentleman's coachman.

Lady's coachman.

Couriers. Outriders.

Grooms, in number according to the stud.

Under servants. Errand boys.

Steward's boy.

In the United States so many servants are rarely kept in one family, even among millionnaires, or in the Southern States \ where formerly it was customary for each member of the family to have a separate attendant. An extensive establishment would perhaps number a coachman, groom, porter, footman, gardener, butler, and perhaps a valet and French cook; the female servants consisting of a housekeeper, cook, scullion, lady's maid, chambermaid, laundrymaid, nurse, and one or more maids-of-all-work. Indeed the most wealthy families keep less than half this number; and the average not more than three women and one manservant. Those of slender income are content with one for "general housework."