When the entire management of the servants is deputed to her, her situation becomes the more arduous and important. She will invite and excite their integrity, frugality, and assiduity, by her own liberal conduct towards them, and will shew them, that “_according to their pains will be their gains_.” Thus will she give encouragement to merit, ensure to herself respectful attention, inspire zeal, and exact a grateful return from all whose dispositions are tractable; she will also find such conduct tend much to her own comfort, and greatly to promote the interest of her principals. She will never discharge a good servant for a slight offence; but will remember, that “_to bear and to forbear is the great art of living_.” She will endeavour to govern with _suavity_ and _mildness_; ever stimulating to good conduct, by _admonition_ or _praise_, when deserved, rather than seeking by _threats_ or harsh measures to correct trifling faults or inadvertencies;—imposing no commands that are unreasonable, nor reproving but with _justice_ and _temper_. If servants have hardships to undergo, she will let them see, that she feels for the necessity of urging them. To cherish the desire of pleasing in them, she will convince them, that they may succeed in their endeavours to please her. Human nature is the same in all stations. Convince the servants that you have a considerate regard for their comforts, and they will be found to be grateful, and to reward your attention by their own assiduity: besides, nothing is so endearing as being courteous to our inferiors. A most excellent maxim is, “Be to their faults a _little blind_, And to their _virtues very kind_.” By these, and similar means, _bad_ servants may be converted into _good ones_, and the whole household rendered comfortable and happy. The prudent housekeeper will carefully avoid all approaches to familiarity; as that destroys subordination, and ultimately induces contempt; and then, “Her occupation’s gone.” When servants are indisposed, she will best consult the feelings of her superiors, as well as her own, by remitting their labours, paying them attention, giving them advice, and the assistance of suitable food and comfort. _Tenderness and assiduity_, in such cases, have great effect;—and in the language of humanity, _is half a cure_. Female servants who would pursue an honest course, have numberless difficulties to contend with, and should, therefore, be treated kindly. The housekeeper in a great family, has ample means of doing good; and she will, doubtless, recollect that it is a part of her duty to protect and encourage virtue, as the best preventive from vice.