Sunday, March 5, 1900

         I found a copy of the Illustrated London News from Christmas, in the pile of rubbish the housemaids brought down from the family’s bedrooms.  Thinking to simply look it over, I took it into the Still Room to read when I had a minute to spare.

         What struck me were the advertisements for some of the things we make so painstakingly by hand.  Medicines and soaps I could simply go to the chemists and buy, if I had the money. 

         I love the flowery way the preparations are shown.  For instance, Eno’s Fruit Salts.  This is what it promises – There is no doubt that where it has been taken in the earliest stages of a disease it has, in innumerable instances, PREVENTED what would otherwise have been a SERIOUS ILLNESS.  The effect of ‘ENO’S FRUIT SALT’ upon any DISORDERED, SLEEPLESSNESS, AND FEVERISH condition is SIMPLY MARVELLOUS.  It is, in fact, NATURE’S OWN REMEDY and an UNSURPASSED ONE. 

         Bovril ‘makes the weak strong and the strong stronger’.  Neaves’s Food is ‘admirably adapted to the needs of Young Persons’, Carter’s Little Liver Pills will ‘cure all liver ills’, and Pear’s Soap is ‘matchless for the complexion’.

         Martha and I were fascinated by the adverts for the products we work so hard to create.  We were reading them over when there was a rap on the door.  A tall young man wearing a military uniform came in.  “Hello Martha”, he said, “Have you any liniment for a sore muscle?”  Martha dropped a curtsey.  “Master Angus,” she murmured.  Then, to me, “Jean, get the muscle liniment for Master Angus.  When I passed it to him he clicked his heels together and winked at me.  I must have turned thirteen shades of red.  “Jean,” he smiled at me, “Jeannie with the light brown hair.”

Then he was gone.  “Watch yourself, Jean,” Martha warned me, “He’s not for the likes of us.”  Of course I know that, but I can dream.  He’s the handsomest man I ever saw.

sunday, February 12, 1900

         Martha and I have been very busy getting ready for the great family visit next month.  She has been teaching me to prepare creams and lotions for the ladies’ toiletries, tonics and cough medicine for the children, flea powder for all the dogs the family will be bringing as well as the four that already live here, and various herbal preparations for teas.  I have been grinding up rose hips with the mortar and pestle until my arms ache!

         Martha has confided in me that she is hoping to be married by the end of this year.  She has been walking out with one of the footmen, although she won’t tell me his name.  They meet in town once a month at the home of a friend.  “The wedding may be sooner,” she told me with a wink, “If you ken my meaning.”

          I know this is often the highland way, to wait until a wedding is necessary to save a girl from disgrace, but I will only be sixteen this year, and it will be years before I think of getting wed.  There is so much of the world I want to see!

Sunday, january 21, 1900

         We celebrated the New Year in fine style back in Wick.  Mam and Da say things at home are very quiet with us both gone.  They were so happy to have us at home for two whole days.   I felt very proud I was able to turn most of my salary over to my parents.  Henry had much less, being a beginning apprentice, but our parents said they were grateful, and it will help them hire a neighbour’s boy to help Da with the animals.  Mam is looking tired, and this will ease her load.

         Imagine, it is a new century, but nothing really feels very different.  The same old battles in South Africa are carrying on, there are still storms and earthquakes killing people who have done nothing to deserve it.  Everyone is talking about a new wonder medicine that is just now appearing in the chemist shops.  It is called aspirin, and they are saying it will cure just about anything. 

         Things are starting to get very busy at Abbott House, for in just a few weeks we will have a full house.  I pity the poor laundry maids; they must mend, wash and iron linen for goodness knows how many beds!  

Sunday, December 3, 1899

         Heather and I were able to spend most of today in town.  We didn’t do much more than wander the high street and look in the shop windows, but she told me all about the Abbott family.  The oldest daughter is coming out in the spring, while her brother is home on leave.  Her parents are holding a grand ball for her and then her mother will be taking her down to London to introduce her into society.  The younger daughter will never be coming out, Heather said.  She is fourteen, but she will never grow up in her mind, she was born innocent.  Her mother will keep her at home forever.  

         Heather says the younger brother, the one who is to be going to South Africa with his regiment is very handsome, and half the maids are taken with him.  His brother is a stuffy old man of businesss, and he will bring his wife and four children to stay in the spring

         “Then you can be sure of earning your shilling,” said Heather, “We’ll be working ourselves silly then!”

         A kind farmer gave us a lift as far as our gate, and we were home in time for tea in the Servant’s Hall.  

Sunday, November 19, 1899

         Last week I was introduced to a room I’ve never seen before.  It is called the Still Room, and is used to make an enormous number of things – everything from ointments, soaps, and flea powder, cough syrup, furniture polish and too many things for me to remember here!

         The maid in charge of the stillroom needed to get an assistant, because her under-maid was dismissed suddenly.  I don’t know why.  Mrs. Burns suggested me, since I was new in the kitchen and there really are more maids there than are needed.  It seems like an interesting job, but there is a lot to learn, that’s for sure! 

         My superior in the still room is called Agnes, and she is a happy and talkative one.  We are allowed to talk with each other, due to the nature of what we do.  For now I just do what she tells me – fetch the mortar and pestle, scrub the table,  fetch this and that from the herb garden – I like this part best.  I am learning to know how Thyme can be prepared in an ointment for skin problems, Sage can be boiled down to ease a sore throat and Rosemary can be broken up into a powder for cleaning the teeth.

         Today we are collecting the last of the roses to grind the petals into powder for talcum.  Agnes also had me collect the rose hips, some to be made into tea, the rest for a cold medicine.

         I have also had a chance to see my cousin Heather at last.  She was sent by the head parlourmaid to get some lemon oil to polish the furniture with.  We had a chance for a quick hello and make a plan to spend our next Sunday together.  

Sunday, November 5, 1899

         The Abbotts have four grown children, although only the two young ladies live at home.  The eldest son lives in Edinborough with his wife, and the youngest, also a young man, is expected to be sent to South Africa with his regiment.  I heard Mrs. Ross, the head housekeeper telling one of the cooks he is to be coming home for leave in the spring, before he leaves.

         I have heard that with a brand new century starting at the end of the year the family will be going to London for the celebration.  I have also heard we will all be given two whole days to spend Hogmanay with our families.  I am so happy!

Sunday, October 22, 1899

         The weather has been so bad I was not able to get home for my monthly day off, so I have been cooped up inside, just like everyone, except for the family, who have footmen to hold umbrellas over them while they step into their private carriages.  The weather does not decide their doings!

         While I am on about my hard life, let me tell you what is expected of us for the yearly salary of ten pounds:

1.   When being spoken to, we must stand still, keep our hands quiet and always look at the person speaking to us.

2.   We must never let our voice be heard by the ladies and gentlemen of the household, unless they have spoken directly to us with a question which requires a response, at which time we speak as little as possible.

3.   In the presence of our mistress, we must never speak to another servant or person of our own rank, or to a child, unless it is a necessity, and then as little and as quietly as possible.

4.   We must never  talk to the ladies and gentlemen of the household unless it is to deliver a message or ask a question, and then in as few words as possible.

5.    Whenever possible, items that have been dropped, such as spectacles or handkerchiefs and other small items, should be returned to their owners on a salver.

6.    Always respond when we have received an order, and always use the proper address: “Sir”, “Ma’am”,“Miss” or “Mrs” as the case may be.

7.    Never offer our opinion to our employer.

8.    Always “Give room”: that is, if we encounter our betters on the stairs or in the house, we are to make yourself as invisible as possible, turning ourselves to the wall and averting our eyes.

9.   Except in reply to a salutation offered,  we must never say “Good morning” or “Good night” to our employer.

10. If we are required to walk with a lady or gentleman in order                      to carry packages, or for some other reason, we must always  keep a few paces back.

11. We are expected to be punctual to our place at mealtimes.

12. We must not receive relatives, friends or visitors into the  house, not must we introduce any person into the Servant’s Hall without the consent of the Butler or Housekeeper.

13.  We must never have followers; if we are found to be fraternizing with a male we can expect to be immediately dismissed.

14. We must expect any breakages or damages to be deducted from our wages.

I hope no one ever finds this diary – I keep it locked and under my mattress except when I have a few hours away from my duties, and the key on a chain around my neck.  Would I be dismissed for keeping it, I wonder?