It wasn't Carson who gave that maid Ethel the push, rather the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes after catching her and Major Charles Bryant doing something they shouldn't. This was entirely normal and within character for Edwardian era households. Ethel Parks was dismissed at once without a reference which all but doomed her chances of being employed by any other household.
For Victorian and Edwardian households housekeeper was in charge of all female servants, while butler took care of males. The only female servants not under housekeeper's direct supervision were ladies maids, nannies, nursemaids, and sometimes kitchen maids. However as the servant problem became more acute many households tried to make one maid do two jobs, then there was a battle over jurisdiction.
Homes that couldn't find (or afford) a nursery maid often had kitchen maid do both jobs. Something cook often didn't like and would assert her authority over the girl.
R226
Yes, it would have been highly likely by just before WWI and certainly afterwards for aristocratic households just like everyone else who was wealthy to discuss servants "bettering themselves".
The industrial revolution that begun during Queen Victoria's time had unleashed huge economic forces. Gradually the poorer/lower classes (from which virtually all servants were drawn) began to seek out and or prefer jobs in shops, factories, offices, etc... A maid learning how to type meant she was going to soon likely leave service, and finding another was becoming increasingly difficult.
The countess and her daughters in particular couldn't function in life as they knew it without maids.
Will give you that usually the housekeeper and butler dealt with staffing issues, but at some point even one or both would have to inform her ladyship about difficulties in finding good people.
R224
If you think royal males, peers, lords of manors, etc.. only slept (ok, fucked) attractive valets, groomsmen, stable boys and other staff on estate in European gay porn, you are very much mistaken.
It also wouldn't that uncommon for a gay duke to be taken with a member of his own household staff or someone else's . These were the men who came into his orbit; it wasn't as if he could go to a gay bar or something. The duke was obviously bent in that direction, but where to find an outlet for that affection and passion. Making a move on wrong man could invite scandal and have other serious repercussions. A servant OTOH could be managed ....
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