Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/241

Rh them reliable and dependable. These men, once they obtain a position, are there for life unless something unforeseen happens. In America no man takes any such position with the intention of staying in it long,—only until he can find something better. Few museums feel that they can pay more than $50-$60 per month and for this wage permanent, intelligent and active help cannot be had. There are, however, men who have passed the prime of life and are no longer equal to a strenuous day's work, who are glad to take museum positions and who fill them satisfactorily. They must all be strong enough to do heavy cleaning for two hours every morning (from 8-10) and four or five hours on Monday, and they must have sufficient of the hermit's spirit not to leave their beats to flock together and gossip. As to intelligence, that they must possess, although just where it is desirable and where it becomes objectionable is the question. A too garrulous custodian who babbles fairy tales about the objects in his charge is offensive, but a certain amount of knowledge of all the collections of the museum and a little accurate information about the objects directly in his charge is very desirable. A careful and repeated coaching on the part of the director is worth while. Courtesy, even to the most irritating person, is absolutely necessary, and