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96 be of marble because of ease in cleaning. For the same reason, when the floor is of wood the baseboard should be of wood. The so-called hospital finish is of doubtful usefulness in a museum and it must be remembered if this is specified that no furniture, pedestal, or case can be made to set really flush with the wall.

GALLERY FURNITURE

An eloquent plea for seats for museum visitors was made by Dr. Grosse, of Freiburg, at the Mannheim conference, in his article entitled "Die Ausstellung und die Bezeichnung in Kunstmuseen," and many other museum men have followed in his train. It is now universally the custom to provide some sort of seats. What they shall be depends upon the taste of the museum committee and director. The Vatican picture gallery is in this respect, as in many others, a model. In the deep window embrasures are built wooden benches of simple design with backs reaching up to the high window sills, while in the middle of the room are modern copies of the comfortable renaissance folding armchairs with leathern back and seat. These look well and lend dignity and character to the room. The Kaiser Friedrich Museum also uses this type of chair. Some museums use really old chairs of