The Butler Speaks ~ The Art of Housekeeping
I have a lot of wonderful friends in the social media world. One of my friends Mrs. Shery tagged me in a photo of a book called The Butler Speaks: A Return to Proper Etiquette, Stylish Entertaining, and the Art of Good Housekeeping. I was truly intrigued by this. So I jumped on Amazon to find it and was really happy to see that it had the “look inside” feature.
So I was able to take a quick peek inside the book and may I say it caught my attention. I have the first Kindle so I tried to download a “sample” to it but I could not find it. I always try to download samples to my Kindle before I commit to buying a book. So I took a risk and went ahead and order it.
I don’t think I will regret this purchase. I read a few pages on Amazon and I was truly pleased.
In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, cleaning was a matter of pride and decency. Harsh techniques and chemicals were used to clean practically everything in the home. What we have learned today is that cleanliness is possible, even preferable, without the use of toxic chemicals. In fact, harsh techniques and chemicals actually damage the surfaces they touch.
A furniture conservator and friend of mine, Mr. Greg Kelly, once described our role in caring for household items as “custodians of fine furniture for future generations.” Before he said this, I’d never thought of my butlering role this way. Instead of concentrating on the drudgery and stress of maintaining the cleanliness of every object in a household, I was heartened to think of my role-and indeed the role of all the household staff as that of a preserver of a kind of legacy.
After reading that I thought wow…… my have things changed. We have no care for what our homes look like. In fact, people care less about how they look and live now than ever before! We have so many things to help us yet we are so lazy! I absolutely refuse this! My home is always clean and always will be. I agree with what he said, cleaning was a matter of pride and decency. Let us bring that back.
Dear Mrs. Shockley,
I was fortunate that my library had this book. I know you will enjoy it. It is good to have books like this one to reread. Enjoy.
Warmly, Katheen
Lucky you! I have had to build my own library of books that would inspire me to live a better life. I am sure I will enjoy this one too! Thanks for stopping by Kathleen!
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These are JUST the type of books, Mrs. Shockley, that new brides bought when I was one in 1971! I had stacks of homemaking books and devoured them for any hints I might've missed growing up. Young girls learned how to set a beautiful table, polish silver, and serve well-balanced and delicious meals in the 50's and 60's, lessons that are considered superfluous now. I hope Charles MacPherson writes prophetically and we can look forward to a return to proper etiquette, stylish entertaining and the art of good housekeeping!
Hey Mary! I say this to people all the time. In the 50's and 60's homekeeping was considered the greatest job on the planet. Now it's just really sad how things have just slipped away. But I just received my book and have been grazing through it all week. I know I will enjoy it!
I am so glad you shared this with us Mrs. Shockley! I enjoy having a clean house and setting my table. I also enjoy polishing my silver. When I walk into a space I look at all the details, taking them in slowly. I am so glad that there are still women like ourselves. I can't wait for you to share more details of this book!
Well you know I have to thank you Mrs. Shery! It was you who exposed me to this book and I thank you! It is wonderful my friend!