[240] “This is the first time this question has been put to me directly, and I frankly answer, Yes—to-morrow, if an opportunity were offered me. For years it has been my wish to find employment of some kind which would keep me from being a servant. Mrs. X has been very kind to me, and tried to find me other work; but, of course, a girl who has been in a kitchen for so long (thirteen years) is inexperienced in different work. Nevertheless, I have met girls who had no better education than I, and now hold high and respectable positions and make a fair living.” A colored man, who has been a cook for forty years, replies with some caution: “I don’t know, unless the other work was in sight. Can’t say, unless somebody had done offered me another job, and I could look into it.” [241] See articles by Mrs. Ellen W. Darwin, _The Nineteenth Century_, August, 1890; Miss Amy Bulley, _Westminster Review_, February, 1891; Miss Emily Faithful, _North American Review_, July, 1891; C. J. Rowe, _Westminster Review_, November, 1890, on the question in the Australian colonies. “If things go on much longer in the present state, we shall have to introduce the American fashion, and live in huge human menageries.”—_M. E. Braddon._ An admirable scientific presentation of the subject of domestic service in London is given by Charles Booth and Jesse Argyle in _Life and Labour of the People in London_, Vol. VIII. [242] It is of interest to notice some of these occupations. The list includes apparently nearly every form of work in every kind of mill and factory, farm work, cigar-making, sewing, dressmaking, millinery, tailoring, crocheting, lace-making, carpet-making, copying; places as cash girls, saleswomen, nurses, post-office clerks, compositors, office attendants; six have been teachers; others, ladies’ companions, governesses, and matrons. It is of interest, also, to note that the per cent of native born who have been engaged in other occupations is slightly higher than the per cent of foreign born (thirty-one to twenty-five). [243] One employee writes, “I wanted to see for myself what it was to be a hired girl.” [244] An employee in Colorado, who receives $35 a month, writes: “I choose housework in preference to any other, principally because for that I receive better pay. The average pay for store and factory girls is eight and nine dollars a week. After paying board and room rent, washing, etc., very little is left, and what is left must be spent for dress—nothing saved.” “It pays better than other kinds of work.” “My expenses are less than in any other kind of work.” “I can make more. I have put $100 in the savings bank in a year and a half. I had first $10 a month, but now I have $12.” “I can save more.” “I can earn more without constant change.” “I can earn more than in anything else ($15 a month), but do not save anything as I support my mother.” “Any one that is industrious and saving can save a great deal by working at housework.”