http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
268 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 26 cm
"The warrens of domestic offices in country houses intrigue visitors. This book makes sense of these and the social structures behind them. It describes the skills, equipment, cleaning methods and work organisation of the housemaid, laundrymaid, footman, valet and hall-boy - the servants who spent their days polishing fine furniture, washing brilliant chandeliers, brushing precious carpets and laundering damask tablecloths, but also sponging filthy riding habits, polishing grubby knives, emptying endless slops and washing babies' nappies. The author also looks at how servants spent their time outside working hours." "A wealth of photographs and engravings illustrate the domestic workings of country houses, many now looked after by the National Trust. This is an absorbing book for social historians and visitors to country houses alike."--Jacket.
A lazy & magnificent fellow : the footman's work -- Dancing till supper time : the footman's lifestyle -- Unseen & unheard : the housemaid & her work -- Very old & very worn : the use of linen -- Preparing for the great wash : early processes of washing -- Ingenious & simple : the material culture of laundering -- We feel much happier washing at home : laundry management -- Clear from spot or blemish : the meanings of cleaning -- Examples of butlers' pantries, housemanids's closets & laundries.
Published in association with The National Trust.
Includes bibliographical references and index.