The Spectator Volume I Part 134

_Humble Servant_,

Thomas Smoaky.

_To the_ SPECTATOR,

The humble Pet.i.tion of _John Steward_, _Robert Butler_, _Harry Cook_, and _Abigail Chambers_, in Behalf of themselves and their Relations, belonging to and dispersed in the several Services of most of the great Families within the Cities of _London and Westminster_;

Sheweth,

That in many of the Families in which your Pet.i.tioners live and are employed, the several Heads of them are wholly unacquainted with what is Business, and are very little Judges when they are well or ill used by us your said Pet.i.tioners.

That for want of such Skill in their own Affairs, and by Indulgence of their own Laziness and Pride, they continually keep about them certain mischievous Animals called Spies.

That whenever a Spy is entertained, the Peace of that House is from that Moment banished.

That Spies never give an Account of good Services, but represent our Mirth and Freedom by the Words Wantonness and Disorder.

That in all Families where there are Spies, there is a general Jealousy and Misunderstanding.

That the Masters and Mistresses of such Houses live in continual Suspicion of their ingenuous and true Servants, and are given up to the Management of those who are false and perfidious.

That such Masters and Mistresses who entertain Spies, are no longer more than Cyphers in their own Families; and that we your Pet.i.tioners are with great Disdain obliged to pay all our Respect, and expect all our Maintenance from such Spies.

Your Pet.i.tioners therefore most humbly pray, that you would represent the Premises to all Persons of Condition; and your Pet.i.tioners, as in Duty bound, shall for ever Pray, &c.

T.

[Footnote 1: Perriwig]

[Footnote 2: "know", and in first reprint.]

END OF VOLUME I.