THE THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 277, 26 June 1874, Page 3

THE THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE.

Servants are apt to become great-adepts, in the use of this implement. It is wonderful vvhat a weight of consequences a small concession is made to bear in someeasy household where change is the ouething dreaded. Once allow this to become evident, and the master or mistress is - head only in name—the real power istransferred elsewhere. Aji indolent master finds it much easier in each instanceto yield than to resist the gradual encroachments of the man who suits him and knows his ways. A favorite maid—a treasure- by a cunning use of small: and seemingly harmless requests, which the yielding temper finds it impossible to refuse, becomes virtual'mistress. and makeseverything and everybody subservient toiler pleasure -and convenience. She asks, to be allowed to invite one acquaintance, and a troop follow all inseparably connected by circumstances ; her time has some double duty to pay which makes it obvious. to the perplexed mistress that she must, not complain when an hour's absence extends itself to three or four. The position of service, if we think it, requires a subordination of private interests which needs the conscious presence of authority to keep its hold on the mind. Whenever this is unduly relaxed, personal planning must step in. A habit of scheming for- private ends almost inevitably grows with the opportunity of indulging it, and the only, instrument available is the than edge; A timid or careless head of a family oe household is its sure victim.—'Spectator.'