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Page 9
THE CHAUFFEUR
The gallant coachman of a decade ago has given way to the chauffeur of
to-day. But we find that his livery is no less important. It is governed
by a very definite convention. In winter, for instance, the chauffeur
wears long trousers of melton or kersey or similar material and a
double-breasted greatcoat of the same material. The collar and cuffs may
be of a contrasting color or of the same color as the rest of the
material. He wears a flat cap with a stiff visor and a band of the same
contrasting color that appears on the collar and cuffs of the coat. Dark
gloves and shoes are worn. Sometimes, instead of long trousers, the
chauffeur wears knee-trousers with leather leggings. If desired, a
double row of brass, silver or polished horn buttons may decorate the
front of the greatcoat, but this must be determined by the prevailing
custom. If the weather is extremely cold, the chauffeur should be
provided with a long coat of goat or wolf-skin, or some other suitable
protection against the cold and wind. During the summer months, the
chauffeur usually wears gray or brown cords, developed in the
conventional style. His cap and gloves match.
DUTIES OF THE CHAUFFEUR
The complete care of the car or cars devolves upon the chauffeur. He
must see that it is always spotless and shining, that it is in good
condition and will not break down during a trip, and that it is in
readiness whenever the owners want to use it. When the mistress goes
motoring, the chauffeur stands at the door of the car until she enters,
arranges the robes and sees that she is comfortable before taking his own
place. Upon receiving her orders, he touches the rim of his cap. It is
not necessary, however, upon reaching the destination for the chauffeur
to descend and open the door for his mistress. His place is at the wheel
and that is where he remains. But if there is a second man to assist the
chauffeur, who accompanies him on every trip as a motor footman, he
should descend and stand at attention while the mistress emerges from the
car. The footman dresses like the chauffeur. He leaves cards when the
mistress makes her social calls, and he rings house bells for her. He is
also expected to be useful in performing personal service for the
masculine members of the household. Very often it happens that a
tourist, instead of hiring a car and chauffeur when he reaches a strange
country, desires to take his own car and chauffeur with him. He must be
sure to arrange beforehand to have the man admitted to the foreign
country, for negligence may cause him much delay and trouble when he
reaches the borderline. He must also arrange for the sleeping and eating
facilities of his chauffeur when they stop for a day or two in a town or
village. It is not right to expect him to eat with the servants, nor
will he wish to eat at the same table with his employer. It is wisest to
give him an allowance and permit him to eat and sleep where he pleases.
THE VALET
The business of the valet is to attend to all the comforts and desires of
the master of the house. He takes no part in the general housework,
except in an emergency. The valet does not wear livery. Indoors, in the
evening and during the day, he wears dark gray or black trousers, white
linen, a high-buttoned black waistcoat and a plain black swallow-tailed
coat or one cut with short rounded tails. He wears a dark tie and dull
leather shoes. He may also wear an inconspicuous pin in his tie and
simple cuff-links; but a display of jewelry is not permissible. It may
happen that a butler is ill or called away, or that there is a shortage
of servants during a large entertainment. In this case the valet may be
called upon to serve as a butler, and he then wears complete butler's
dress, with the long-tailed coat. When traveling with his employer, the
valet wears an inconspicuous morning suit of dark gray, brown or blue
tweed in the conventional style. He completes this outfit with a black
or brown derby hat and black leather shoes. The duties of the valet are
as follows: he brushes, presses, cleans, packs or lays out the clothes of
his employer, draws the water for his bath, and assists him to dress. He
keeps his wardrobe in order and packs and un-packs his trunks whenever he
is traveling. He does all his errands, buys his railway and steamship
tickets, pays his bills, and carries his hand-luggage when they are
traveling together. Sometimes he shaves him, orders his clothes, and
writes his business letters. But these duties are expected only of
accomplished valets. He does not, however, make the bed or sweep or dust
his employer's room.
THE PAGE
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