The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-30
London Barmalds.
tLondon Corr. Troy Times. ]

tLcncon Corr. Troy Times.
 The one redeeming point about the London tavern is the barmaid. 1 am told on good authority that in metropoli- tan London alone, with its population of about i've million souls of one kind and another, there are twelve thousand bar maids, exactly double the number of giIis employed in one capacity or another about the theatres. A barmaid must be young and attractive. She IS required to dress in B black cashmere or French merino prin cess robe, so AS to be dis tinguished rem the mistress London tavern, like an American farm, must have mistress-who generally appears behind the bar in the gaudies, colors, and above all to prevent rivalry in dress between the barmaids themselves, and therefore 10 lessen the temptation of dip ping their hands in the till. The dress too, il may be mentioned, mus, be made without pockets, which l should think must prove great hardship, especially n this climate, where one IS subject to colds in the head. They must, more l over, be intelligent to the extent of at least engaging the customers oi the " masheg" type ir conversation. and of leading them on to spend a great deal Of their time and money al the bars. It is, however, a mark against barmaid if she devotes herself too exclusively to one or two persons. This is no, conducive to trade. Her policy is, therefore, to talk a litt.e to everyone, and, having to serve all and sundry as they come up to the bar, she is able to pass from one to another without giving apparent offense. In this way a barmaid picks up a great deal of surface knowledge, and, in many instances becomes really smart and ac- eomplished far beyond her 5, .lion in life
 But she is by nc means the slave Of her customers Let anyone. especially a stranger, attempt familiarities with her, or address languaget to her which, accord ing to her lights, she considered as unbe- coming a gentleman, she will have that person up before the master or mistress at once, or call into ipstant requisition the services of the chucker-out." or course she must necessarily overheaT a great deal that is not fit for ears polite, but so long as 1t is not addressed to her and the person using II does no, make disturbance, that is none of her business, anu A1ouku OoHkSo lo SctNc thc toW types of character above described, 1t is not ex- pected of her, however, that she shall hold any conversation with them further than the transaction she has with any of their demands. It is barmaid' s ambition to be promoted from the Bill Sykes side of the bar to that of the masher. Here she is in her element She can listen to silly nothings by the hour from a dozen of nonenti,ies, her object evidently being to keep as many as possible of what she calls her customers on the tenter- hooks. See her in the evening, if she is al all at tiactive she is perfect fowef-pot. be. cause of boutoLaires and boquets that have been presented her during the day by her numerous admirers. Yet her lite can not be all bed of roses. She is re- quired to be on her feet fifteen hours day every day in the week ; she mus, live on the premises, and she is only allosed 10 go out7 one day in every four or five -eesks,, she is boarded by her emn'oyer, and receives for wages, with which she must clothe herself and always appear respectable, on an average of about a week.