NEVER allow yourself to be idle behind the bar; be ready to serve at once when a customer enters. When a drink is ordered that requires water, fill your glass with fine ice, and pour over it water out of a pitcher in full view of your guest. This rule must necessarily be carried out in performing every one of your duties. A bottle never must be more than half empty. For strong drinks, always serve two glasses - one for the drink, the other for the water. Serve sherry and port wine in their respective glasses only; never do it in whiskey tumblers.

For shaking drinks with the shaker, use only a mixing-tumbler; by using goblets you will soil your clothes, and the goblets might break. Shake your drink well; without that you never will get a first-class drink. This has special reference to such drinks as fizzes, milk punches, egg-noggs, frappes, and similar drinks, containing sugar. Good mixing is a hard work; but without good mixing you spoil the best liquor.

In serving your guest, be pleasant, but quiet. Never commence to converse, only answer questions. Never listen to conversation held between your guests, nor hold any conversation behind the bar with your coworkers. In receiving money, avoid mistakes; in returning change, be careful. Observe who orders drinks, and, if you give a check, hand it to the right person; mistakes in this respect will often lead to disputes. Treat every one respectfully, but do not lose your dignity in the proper place. You can do this only by using good and selected language, and be conservative in your actions.

As we mention syrup or gum so often, we think it a necessity to call your attention to the way of making and using it.

Take an enameled pot, of about half a gallon; put in this one and a half quarts of water and two pounds of loaf-sugar; let this boil over a slow fire; stir now and then, and skim well; if too thick, add a little boiling water, and strain into a bottle. It ought to be kept in a cold place. Do not prepare too large quantities, as it is best to have it fresh.

Rock - candy gum is prepared in the same way. Cocktail gum should be absolutely white.