30 MAY 1952, Page 22

Closed Egyptian Rooms Sot,—I have just returned from an attempt

to visit the Egyptian Rooms of the British Museum. I found that these galleries, together with a number of others, are closed to the public on alternate days, in the interests of economy. It would be interesting to know how much is saved by dispensing with the services of a few attendants, and by having the galleries swept every other day instead of every day. The sum can surely be only inconsiderable. Is it possible that the Govern- ment, and/or the Museum authorities, can seriously believe it to balance against a considerable cultural deprivation to the public, to say nothing of a loss of prestige with foreign visitors ?—Yours, etc., MARY PALMER.

.51 Alleyn Park, Dulwich, S.E.21.