This line of discussion makes me think of some old signs I found in our
archives. They are from the old Zoological Museum and date from around 1870.
   One, evidently from the main door, reads (in a rough translation): The
Zoological Museum of the University is open to all for their class
well-attired persons every Sunday and Wednesday from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Children under 10 years of age are only admitted when accompanied by an
adult.
   Once inside the building, you were met with this sign: Walking sticks,
umbrellas and side arms must be deposited with the wardroom clerk.
   Another sign announces that: It is forbidden to spit on the floors and
stairs or anywhere else except in the spit-trays in the corners of the
rooms.

Well-dressed and well-behaved visigoths  who do not spit on the floors seem
to have evolved, over the years, into an interested, but not necessarily
overly well-behaved public - at least we believe that we have the highest
rate of museum visitors relative to the size of the population seen
anywhere.

K. W. Petersen
Zoological Museum
Copenhagen, Denmark
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