Hints to servants : being a poetical and modernised version of Dean Swift's celebrated "Directions to servants;" in which something is added to the original text, but those passages are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a kitchen

A sprightly, tongue‑in‑cheek handbook invites the house‑hold staff of a Victorian manor to trade secrecy for a smile. Borrowing the sharp satire of Swift’s original, the author rewrites the classic “Directions to Servants” in a lively, rhymed prose that feels both antique and oddly contemporary. The opening lines set a playful stage, promising clever tricks for butlers, cooks and footmen that keep masters pleased while conserving the ever‑precious wine and spirit.

The text darts from practical kitchen wisdom—how to hide the dregs of a bottle or stretch a humble broth—into sparkling verses that poke fun at the very hierarchy they serve. Illustrated with twelve original engravings, each page offers a visual punchline to match the witty counsel, making the guide as enjoyable to hear as it is to read. Listeners will find an entertaining blend of moral‑less advice, gentle ribbing, and the kind of household banter that still feels fresh despite its 1840s roots.