12 JANUARY 2008, Page 23

Not at your convenience

Sir: Robin Holloway has observed — as any viewer must — the Grainger museum’s uncanny resemblance to (as he puts it) ‘a public lavatory without users’ (Arts, 15–29 December). This haunting architectural similarity became celebrated 70 years ago in a cautionary verse written by the then vice-chancellor, Sir John Medley (I quote from memory):

Pass on, impatient stranger; This is not for your affair.

Pray for the soul of Percy Grainger, But pray relieve yourself elsewhere.

It was at the time seriously suggested that the lines should be affixed to the structure, to warn off a certain class of intending callers. Peter Ryan

Victoria, Australia