I have occasionally stayed at houses, and very frequently at hotels, where there was no such thing in my room as a wardrobe at all, in any shape or form—not even a shelved press, or a clothes-rack on the wall. This is dire misery, and is an unpardonable omission on the part of those in authority over the management of affairs. It is not by any means a matter of necessity that a costly glass-panelled wardrobe should be provided. Many households cannot afford such; but a neatly painted one is not an extravagance; and in the event of a narrow staircase or doorway preventing ingress to such a piece of furniture, there is an excellent plan for improvising a wardrobe, which I have seen tried with great success. Nail up a substantial clothes-rack in a recess of the room; suspend a brass rod across it, on which are curtains hung on rings, and cover in the top with strong calico, leaving a neat valance of the curtain-stuff, bordered with fringe, to hang over the edge. Any place, in short, which will allow of coats and dresses being hung up, to prevent the creasing which they suffer by folding, and to preserve them from dust, cannot fail to be acceptable to a visitor, when he or she comes to unpack.
Always make sure that the window-blinds are in perfect working order. They are at times too stiff, or too loose, or so much out of gear that if drawn down at night they remain immovable in the morning, and the guest is obliged to dress in semi-darkness. See, also that the windows themselves are properly in order. Every window ought to be made to open both at top and bottom, as this admits of the immediate and thorough ventilation of the room. If, however, through defective carpentering in the first instance, the windows are hermetically sealed at the top—as is too frequently the case in old houses—make certain at all events that the lower sash opens and shuts with ease, and that when closed it does not admit a draught. Above all things, see that means are provided to prevent the shaking of windows in windy weather. Few things are so aggravating to the temper, and at the same time so wearying to the constitution, as being kept awake at night by the ceaseless and monotonous ‘bang, bang’ of a loose window-sash, which, after all, can be very easily remedied without adopting the old-fashioned method of thrusting a toothbrush handle or rack-comb between the sashes, to act as a sort of wedge. Procure two neat flat pieces of wood, about four inches in length; drill a hole in the centre of each; affix one at each side of the window-frame with a screw, which you must not drive in too closely, but leave sufficient of the head for the wood to revolve or move upon. You will find that by slightly lifting the outer or lower end of the wood, the other end becomes pressed against the edge of the window-sash, which it holds perfectly steady; and that by declining or lowering this outer or lower end, the sash is released from pressure. The plan is an invention of my own; and I must not be considered egotistical for saying that it is an excellent one, as it will silence the noisiest window in an instant of time. A small bar of brass, treated in the same manner as the wood, looks more ornamental, and is of course stronger, where much pressure is desirable. Should there be any aperture or draught, a neat piece of cloth may be nailed along the sash, and will effectually exclude it.
Take especial care that the carpet does not wrinkle about the door, or in any other way prevent its shutting. I have seen some extremely awkward things occur from the neglect of this precaution. A relative of mine, who was of a very neat and systematic disposition, observed upon one occasion that there was a great crease in the carpet of his sitting-room at an hotel where he went to stay; and being of a practical turn of mind, he got out his own little hammer, and with the aid of a tack or two, soon set matters to rights. It happened, however, that the waiter was in the habit of overcoming difficulties by making a rush at the door; and as he followed this plan an hour later, when carrying in a heavy tray, the consequences were disastrous, for the door flew open with the greatest ease, and tray and waiter came tumbling into the room together.
You should make sure, also, that the bolt and lock of the door are in proper order. Many persons cannot sleep easily unless their door is fastened; and it is pleasanter for the hostess to expend a few pence upon the mending of a lock or bolt, than to hear her guest, at dead of night, dragging a heavy box or table, or chest of drawers, or some other unwieldy thing, across the floor of the chamber, to barricade the door against imaginary disturbances.
Ascertain, likewise, that there are night-lights, matches, and a substantial taper left in the room—as also writing materials, pins, hair-pins—if the expected guest be a lady—perfume, and a few amusing magazines or other specimens of light literature, as well as the Book of books; for some persons waken early, and enjoy a brief spell of reading before getting up.
These may perhaps appear very minute details to go into, but believe me the chamber in which they have been thoroughly attended to—no matter how plain and unpretentious it may be—will prove infinitely more comfortable than the most luxuriously furnished room in which they have been overlooked.
It is an excellent plan, in a limited household, to have various matters connected with housekeeping in readiness before the guest arrives. A good supply of fresh table-napkins; a number of knives, forks, and spoons arranged in a sideboard drawer in the dining-room; a few plates and glasses within the locker, in order to obviate the necessity for continually ringing the bell; a supply of sweets made; and a good marketing laid in. Many persons deem this an impossibility in warm weather; but few things are so, if properly managed. There are many kinds of sweets that will keep good for days; even those in the manufacture of which milk has been employed, will not sour if the milk be first boiled and slightly flavoured, or if condensed milk be used in place of fresh. Of course, a great deal depends also upon keeping such things in a perfectly cool atmosphere.
With regard to meat, a joint may be preserved for many days by wrapping it loosely in a fine cloth wrung out of vinegar, and hanging it in a draught of air. If the weather be very warm, the cloth must be remoistened twice, or even thrice a day. Tinned provisions are excellent in summer, and are invaluable in cases of emergency; tongues, curries, and soups being amongst the best of the eatables thus preserved.
A breakfast-table, to be comfortably set, should have a separate tea or coffee equipage for each individual, except in cases where the family is very large; then one may be made to serve for two persons. In like manner, no dinner-table can be said to be properly appointed where there is any handing about of salt-cellars, water-bottles, or other necessaries; nor can there be any excuse for it in these days of cheapness, when very neat little salt-cellars of moulded glass can be had for a penny apiece. I have even seen some as low as half that price and yet quite presentable.