18th century ENGLAND - a question for THE BEST?

Question

During the Victorian era, to be exact, you know how some gentlemen had the occupation of a secretary for a wealthier gentleman?? What do secretaries do anyways??? (Be detailed please!!) Do they only help their emplyer by sorting out letters....and stuff??? And do the secretaries live IN their employers house? Or do they have their own home somewhere else?? And for how many hours do they work a day??? .........And what would a Steward do??

10 points for the best, detailed answer!!

Answer 1

Through out the 1700's secretaries were usually attached to an aristocratic house, the duties were primarily those of a banker, accountant and literarly a secretary (correspondence). In the Victorian Era , appointment to the royal court as a sectretary was a usually reserved and courted by aristocrats, although the duties did not change n so much in the time of Queen Victoria , the job became more specific ie..., secretary of the household, of the the mews, titles and knightships were granted. Yes for over 200 years the office holder lived with his emplyoyers (royal or otherwise) grace and favor residences. A steward is more of a superintindentant (sp) and could in the early years of the 18th century weilded considerable power, but would never hierarachly outrank a secretary. As the monarchy under Victoria (and Albert) become more offiial, more stractered the social distance became more pronounced (secretarey/steward). Fascinating reading, too many referrences to cite, Fascinating reading. Enjoy.

Answer 2

you mean 'what DID they do anyways?' since secretaries of victorian era are presumably not around to do anything anymore.

They LIVED in their employers' house in quarters typically with their families, and were ridiculously efficient in managing the activities of their employers, who were typically degenerate lords and earls and such. Secretaries managed finances and schedules mostly, and wrote responses to letters, in the days before Excel and Office :).

They worked from the morning till supper.

Stewards were trusty person-servants, like butlers. Managed the other help in the house, incoming letters, made visitors either comfortable or vanish, etc.