THE GROOM OF THE CHAMBERS

The groom of the chambers should have a respectable appearance, and possessing easy address, and well acquainted with the duties of the other domestics in the house; for through him many orders are given to them.

His duty is, to announce company, answer bells, see that the principal receiving-rooms are in proper order, and fully supplied with pens, ink, and paper; and also assist in ornamenting the rooms with flowers etc., in putting up the candles, seeing that the card-tables are ready to be supplied with playing-cards; and, in short, it belongs to him to see that the apartments are at all times in reception order.

He also keeps a book showing the invitations given to his employers, which book is always ready when called for, to remind them of their engagements.

He has the arrangement of the invitation-cards sent out to invite to dinner or ball, or whatever the choice of entertainment may be.

He is always provided with an alphabetical list of all his employer's visitors, and their addresses, which, on occasions of sending out a great number of invitations, as for a ball especially, is found of very great utility.

He is not only a good waiter at table, but has a quick eye, and ready thought, to aid and assist the butler in seeing that each guest is properly attended. He should be well acquainted with the "Peerage," and have it and the ''Blue Book'' always at hand.
See Peerage, Blue Book  → The Household Manager, By Charles Pierce, 1857
Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged, 1863