PUT YOURSELF IN HIS PLACE.

It is always in order to talk about the deportment of clerks towards customers, says Geyer’s Stationer. Almost every person one meets has a theory on the subject which, on investigation, will be found more or less tinctured with selfishness. Admitting that clerks are not always as affable as they should be, it is just as true, on the other hand, that customers are often at fault in manners, and too frequently excite similar shortcomings in those who are serving them for the time being. Still, in the world of clerks, patience should never cease to be a virtue, and a good salesman or saleswoman will never show a ruffled temper even under the most trying circumstances. Next to affable manners a cool head is of vital importance, for who likes to deal with fussy, confused people, and when rapid work is necessary, as at the busy season in large retail stores, the man or woman with a rather short supply of nerves will generally come out ahead.

Alertness and promptness are conceded requisites and obligingness a positive essential. But the faculty most valuable in a salesman is that of reading character, and if it is backed by ready adaptability and a mind sufficiently well informed to cater mildly to discoverable idiosyncrasies, so much the better.

A salesman’s business is, of course, to sell goods, but it is equally his duty to make the store a pleasant place for customers; and above all, to make them carry away a feeling of perfect satisfaction with the business they have transacted. This can be done without giving overweight or over-measurement, which are nothing less than a betrayal of trust, and as reprehensible as giving short weight and measure, the odium of which must, in the nature of things, fall upon the employer.

“Put yourself in his place” is an excellent guide to practice. A clerk who considers what qualities and qualifications he would like in employees were he, himself, an employer of men, and governs his conduct accordingly, will not stray far from the right course. An employer who can, in fancy, put himself behind the counter and view himself from the clerk’s standpoint, will be vastly wiser and more successful in his management, and customers who can imagine themselves in the salesman’s place, and can comprehend the thousand and one trials they are subjected to by careless and indifferent humanity, will, if they choose, be able to save both themselves and the clerks an infinite amount of wear and tear of nerve force, and at the same time, receive vastly more satisfactory service.

An English syndicate has subscribed $10,000,000 to establish extensive iron and steel works at Vallejo, Cal.

DRUG NOTES.

We would call the attention of druggists to the advertisement of Major’s Cement in our advertising columns. Major’s Cement has a deservedly increasing sale in the United States and is now extensively sold throughout the Dominion. Mr. Major is now giving away to druggists a handsome thermometer 24 inches long with orders for his goods. These cannot help of themselves to be quite an attraction and aid to business, and we would advise our subscribers to write A. Major, 232 William St., New York, mentioning the Canadian Druggist, for prices and terms.

The Stillman Remedies Company, of 58 West 55th St., New York, have opened a Canadian agency for the sale of their celebrated Garfield Tea at 28 Yonge St. Arcade, Toronto, Ont. The trade will be supplied with free sample packages and advertising matter by writing to D. Densmore & Co., 28 Yonge St. Arcade, Toronto, and mentioning the Canadian Druggist.

“You dirty boy” appears in our advertising columns this week. The sale of Pears’ Soaps is now something enormous, and the proprietors are spending their thousands in bringing and keeping them before the public. No druggist’s stock is complete without a full assortment of these goods. J. Palmer & Son, of Montreal, are the Canadian agents for Pears’ Soaps and carry a complete stock of them, together with a large variety of druggist’s sundries, toilet goods, sponges, etc.

Smith & McGlashan’s travellers are now on the road with samples of holiday goods in all materials and designs. An inspection of their samples will satisfy you as to the excellency of their goods.

We would draw the attention of the trade to Lyman, Knox & Co.’s advertisement (on the inside of cover opposite first page) of some of their specialties. This young and enterprising firm have made a place for themselves in the front rank of the trade, and we are pleased to say that they deserve the confidence and popularity so quickly gained.

The demand for Wilson’s Fly Poison Pads has been larger this year than ever before. This well-known article kills flies in large quantities, lasts a long time, comes in a very convenient and safe form, sells at sight, and pays the druggist a large profit. The trade should push it in their own interests.

A. B. Petrie, Guelph, is spending the summer on his island in Muskoka.

Short, timely articles upon subjects of interest to pharmacists are solicited for this department. In order to be in time for publication in the issue of a given month, they should be in the editor’s hands on the third day of the month.

Always send your proper name and address: we do not publish them unless you wish: if you do not, please use a distinctive nom-de-plume.

Write on one side of the paper only; and devote a separate piece of paper to each query if you ask more than one, or if you are writing about other matters at the same time.