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HOUSEKEEPING IN LONDON.
PART VI.
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north are few enterprises of which
their success or non-success is
judged otherwise than by financial
results ; indeed, it seems as though
finance were the foot-rule b which
we measure everything, great or small, in these
latter days.
Even in such a business as housekeeping
when undertaken with a view to profit-
making, the first judgment pronounced upon
it would be one relative to its profitable or
unprofitable returns. And yet, when these
returns are the most discouraging, it does not
follow of necessity that all is unsuccessful, or
that failure must be written over the door.
‘Vith many newly- established businesses
profit is not expected to be shown for the first
two or three years; if such pay their way
while gaining a foothold they are thought to
do well. Might we not claim the same
leniency here I’
The fact that at the end of the first three
years there are no household debts behind us,
that current expenses are met as they become
due, and that we have a thoroughly well-
fumished and well-repaired house which
speaks in its own favour, and that our tenants
are content and comfortable should surely
stand for some measure of success as issue.
My hope had been to have reported the com-
plete repayment of the loan which started us
and the opening of a household banking
account, but this was not yet, and erfect
truth demands perfect honesty. A fift part
of the loan was paid nevertheless, and more
would certainly have followed had it not been
for the constant drain kept up on one’s re-
sources by the monthlytpczyrnents for furniture,
etc., and the frequent e uctions to be made
for absences of one or another. .
I omitted to say that when Mrs. Noms
left we were under the immediate necessity
of buying some more furniture in place of that
we had had the use of while she was with us.
Of these a (lining-table was the chief, a side-
board next chief, some more chairs and a few
smaller articles as coal-scuttlcs, dish-covers,
trays. etc., all much needed. As we were
unable to lay down the amount required for
these in ready money, we had recourse to a
furnishing agencv, and after giving satisfactory
references secured their assistance. The sum
required was about [23, and the interest was
Dr “A GIRL PROFESSIONAL.”
five per cent.; this we repaid by monthly in-
stalments, and though it was sometimes very
difficult to raise the money by the necessary
date, still we did complete all the payments
in the twelve months, and greatly rejoiced
when that burden rolled away.
The most trying hindrance to progress,
however, was the frequent absences of one
and another of our tenants for two or three
weeks at a time on visits to friends and
relatives. It was delightful for them doubt-
less to have these breaks in the monotony of
their lives, and they came back cheery and
full of talk, but to me each absence meant a
dip into my own pocket to supply the deficit
caused in the exchequcr, lessened my chances
oflaying by, or even of using my money for
myself, and effectually prevented all hope of
making a. margin of profit. Had they all been
absent together the deficiency would have
been less noticed, as we could have reduced
our expenses accordingly, but this never hap-
pened, save oncc or twice in the holiday
month; usually there were two left behind,
and invariably one, necessitating the same
observance of routine, and therefore but little
reduction was possible. It became plain too
that the house, though a fairly large one, was
too small to admit of making more by than
its actual expenses. Another floor would have
made all the difference, as another mouth to
feed would have made no perceptible increase
in the amount of food and the payment for
board or rent would have been actual gain.
It is generally understood in all such cases,
that a number pays where a few prove costly,
and experience only coiilirnied this axiom.
Still it was not in our power to add to the
number of rooms and to take in more
guests, therefore a more careful looking round
the comers became necessary, and a continual
uatchfulness against waste or imprudent
spending. Saving could only be effected. in
small items, and must be done without giving
rise to comment. If we could bring our
expenses strictly down to the level of our
actual receipts we thought ourselves fortunate,
as, of course, in the said expenses were in-
cluded the board and lodging of our own
selves. This, we had not yet been able to do
owing, as I have said before, to the frequent
deductions that had to be made in theincome,
and to the heavy loss caused by the rooms
remaining empty so long. (‘In my own side
alone accounts showed that I had actually
paid for my board at the same ratio as the
strangers; as during three years over ,(I5o of
mylitemry earnings had been swallowed up;
until this drain was stopped it was impossible
to feel any profit from the results of work.
To set against this there is, however, an excel-
lent home, an abundance of good. food and
home comforts; perhaps, as the trial term is
scarcely yet expired, more than this ought not
to be looked for. .
I have been thus faithful to truth in order
that the difliculties of such an enterprise-
should any of my fellow girl-housekeepers
care to take up the same-might not be
glossed over; now lest it should be thought
that we have lived at too expensive .1 rate, I
must conclude by giving a few practical details
of the actual “kec ” of the house, -more
especially with regar to its table furnishing.
To secure variety and yet keep expenses
within bounds is ever the problem; often it
seemed that far too much is expended on the
food, yet where to curtail it is impossible to
say. Game and poultry are too costly for
more than occasional use, pork is disapproved
of, veal not much liked, therefore we are
reduced to-cliief dependence on beef and
mutton, with rabbits by way of change when
in season. I found the most economical
things to be soups made entirely from vege-
tables, and they were always much liked. Of
these we have a good choice-cliestnut,
tomato, potato, artichoke, haricot bean, peas,
vegetable marrow, etc. Next to the soups,
dishes of vegetables with appropriate sauces
take rank in oint of economy, and salads of
different kin . Jams are all home made,
marmalade also; we have no wines or spirits,
but in summer we drink fresh lemonade and
in winter water,
The butcher's bill, the bugbear of every
houseke per, is mine no less; the only way I
find it possible to reduce this is by going
myself and choosing eve ' joint, and when
possible by paying cash liar it. Its price is
apt to grow when left on the books, and
sometimes another customer's joint is added
on to m ' account. The same with fish.
Bread is clivered at the door in the morning,
I can take exactly what I know will be
needed, and have never yet been wrongly
charged here. Butter is another difficult item,
and where to get it most reasonably and of
good quality (as only the best fresh is thought
fit to cat) has necessitated many trials. On
the whole I have found small pats bought at
the dairy ready for the table to be as economi-
cal as any other; a cheaper kind served our-
selves and for kitchen use. “'hen possible I
have endeavoured to buy in larger quantities
bacon, butter, etc., from a city firm or the
British Produce Company. At the latter
lace the gain has been in quality, prices
ing fully as high (per pound as at local
dealers. Potatoes an vegetables I have tried
to obtain from a market gardener, but here
again as with eggs, the cost of carriage out-
weighed the value of the goods. “'lien
possible to obtain fish from the Faningdon
market it was both excellent in quality and
very cheap. ‘Vhen a large number have to be’
catered for it pa '5 to send for the advertised
hampers both 0 fish and farm produce, but
our small party precludes us from taking
advantage of such.
Firewood by the hundred bundles we
obtain from the workhousc; the order is a
benefit to the labour department, and the
supplv is certainly a benefit to us, as the
bundles are large and go further than most.
On the whole my experience goes to rove
that housekeeping (professionally consi cred)
is more difficult in London than in the
country, and it is still more diffcult for a small s
party than a large one. And yet I would
not leave in ‘ readers with the impression
that it is al difficult , or that it has been
all unprofitable. Looliing around us I see the
evidences of solid home and house building;
looking forward to the future there is experi-
ence as a guide in preventing the recurrence
of the same mistakes, and also as counselling
for better terms when changes are made, and
looking backward, there has been the training
of character, the acquisition of a certain
amount of skill in work, good friendships
formed that may prove of great value later, and
lastly I trust a faxrrcputation has been gained.
As the neighbourhood is one that is rapidly
growing in popularity, and propertyis increas-
ing in value, it is quite possible that we may
receive an offer for the remainder of our lease
that shall make it worth while to give it up.
“'e are in a position to demand a substantial
premium and thereby make of it a sound
)l1SlnCSS transaction; in such a case a few
years’ trial of Housekeeping in London will
have proved anything but .1 failure, even when
judged by its financial results. -
