Robert's Guide for Butlers

Mary stumbled upon a used bookstore, Capitol Hill Books, on her way to Eastern Market last weekend. She brought home a gem: Roberts' Guide for Butlers & other Household Staff by Robert Roberts. Originally published in 1827, Roberts wrote the guide for two young butlers "now entering into gentlemen's service...." Good help was apparently hard to find. "In school-learning generally our native servants surpass foreigners, but in manners, deportment, and a knowledge of the duties of their station, it must be admitted that they are considerably inferior." Therefore, Roberts took it upon himself to "lay before the public those general rules and directions for servants to go by as shall give satisfaction to their employers...."

Perusing this book has provided me with valuable instruction on cleaning mahogany furniture, waiting on dinner, and polishing silver. Roberts also offers over 100 recipes every servant should know. Already, "the comfort and convenience of our household [has] much promoted." As I come across particularly good tips or recipes, I will post them for all to enjoy. Here is Recipe No. 89: "to cure those that are given to drink."

Put a sufficient quantity of rum, brandy, gin or whatever the person is in the habit of drinking, three large live eels, which leave until quite dead, give this liquor unawares to those you wish to reform, and they will get so disgusted against it, that, though they formerly liked it, they will now have quite an aversion to it afterwards; this I have seen tried and have the good effect on the person who drank it.

I have complete confidence that this works.