porary also knew the value of such condescension, and thus became the man of the people: "In my campaigns I used to go to the lines in the bivouacs, sit down with the meanest soldier; converse, laugh, and joke with him.”* None but a very great man, indeed, can stoop so far without loss of self-respect and loss of honour. Shaking hands with servants, and addressing them by name, is a form of humility justly suspected.† But persons of high and unimpeachable character may do many things which others cannot do. Visiting sick servants, to read and pray with them, is an idea peculiarly Christian; and yet there was the germ of this kindly attention in the old heathenism. Xenophon, in his charming dialogue between a young husband and his wife, represents the bridegroom saying: "One of your duties, however, will perhaps appear somewhat disagreeable; namely, that whoever of all the servants may fall sick, you must take charge of him that he may be recovered." The wife responds: "Nay, assuredly, that will be a most agreeable office, if such as receive good treatment are likely to make a grateful return, and to become more attached to me than before." ‡ Whoever shall write the life of Queen Victoria, will be guilty of a great omission, if he does not record how that royal lady visited the sick groom at Sandringham during a dangerous * Alison's "Europe," ii. 252. + The great master of corruption knew this, when he wrote: "Nomine quemque suo (nulla est jactura) saluta: Junge tuis humiles, ambitiose, manus.” Xenoph. Econ., vii. 37, 38. Ovid. Art. Am., ii. 253. illness. Such an outcoming of Christian humanity excites more respect than the grand ceremonials of state. Doubtless, many employers who have been disposed to act generously towards their domestics, have been discouraged by ingratitude; but this is really no good ground for being "weary in well-doing." We ourselves have been ungrateful servants of God, and yet He is never weary of doing us good. The probability is that some will be grateful, and that all will be the better for kindness; that they will be disposed to learn and improve, and so become more useful and valuable servants. Thus, in a way, you will be repaid. The Creator has made many animals terrible by their means of defence, by their horns, claws, odour, and even electric shock. Servants have not been left destitute of weapons for retaliation. They can allow the honour of the house to be sullied by vindictive taciturnity; or, they can injure the family by an evil-speaking tongue, partly true and partly false. Bacon said feelingly: "Discreet followers and servants help much to reputation."* He may have been too much influenced by this opinion, and have bought their good word too dearly; for his indulgence to servants had involved him in necessities; and in order to supply his prodigality, he had been tempted to take bribes, by the title of presents, and that in a very open manner, from suitors in Chancery. "Omnis fama a domesticis emanat."-Essays: "Of Honour and Reputation." K One who has been well served ought not to be ungrateful, and although such obligations may not be generally recognised, yet a generous mind will feel a pleasure in discharging them. This feeling prompts many masters and mistresses to befriend servants in after-life. Visits from old servants are gratifying occurrences, testifying, as they do, that they had left on friendly terms and felt assured of a welcome. Such small events are among the minor pleasures, constantly overlooked by the high-minded, who, eager in the disappointing pursuit of great things, never learn how much joy can be extracted from the little things of domestic life. 66 'Only a servant" is an exclamation too often heard ; but it might be retorted, Which of us is not? The wicked are servants of evil, and the good are servants of God. These have a Master in heaven, those have many masters on earth. Servants are capable of grateful affection. Wolsey's servants wept abundantly at his fall. Mary Queen of Scots and her servants wept together in sympathy at the last farewell; * and happily Obituary Notices often disclose the fact that a family had hired a servant and found her a friend, and having lost her by death, for the sake of respect and honour, published their loss to the world. The old Scottish domestic servant was a mixture of affectionate attachment and quaint familiarity, characteristic of the kindly Scot. Dean Ramsay gives an account of an old servant, who had been all her life in the house * χρηστοῖσι δούλοις ξυμφορὰ τὰ δεσποτῶν Eur. Med., 54. -for she came to it a child, and lived without ever leaving it, till she died in it, seventy-five years of age. When on her death-bed, her old master hobbled to her room with difficulty to bid her farewell; and on that occasion she made her last request: "Laird," said she, "will you tell them to bury me where I'll lie across at your feet."* "Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character," p. 80. CHAPTER X. SERVANTS. SERVANTS, though in an inferior position, can console themselves with the fact that they are indispensable, and that the greatest aristocrats cannot say: I have no need of you. They hold as real and as useful a place in society as those in more exalted stations, and they have fewer anxieties and fewer responsibilities, and many compensations to make their life tolerable and comfortable.* The Lord Jesus Christ ennobled service, for He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life in the service of humanity. The angels imitate the God-man, and one of their glorious number claimed to be our fellow-servant.† The lowest condition of life does not disqualify us from producing graces and excellences. The meanest may * Some may smile, but to my mind the minuteness of Providence is seen in arranging compensations for inferiors. Take the case of mirth, so important for health and enjoyment. Servants and that class laugh easier and oftener than the refined; and this makes up for their less extensive sources of joy. Rev. xix. 10. |