I just finished reading "The Great Train Robbery" by Michael Crichton.
Excellent book, highly recommended.  In Chapter 6, Crichton describes
the Huddleston & Bradford Bank in London and its employees.  The
following guidelines were posted at the bank in 1854:

  "Rules for Office Staff"

  1.  Godliness, cleanliness and punctuality are the necessities
of a good business.

  2.  The firm has reduced the working day to the hours from
8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  3.  Daily prayers will be held each morning in the main office.
The clerical staff will be present.

  4.  Clothing will be of a sober nature.  The clerical staff will
not disport themselves in raiment of bright color.

  5.  A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff.
It is recommended that each member of the clerical staff bring 4 lbs.
of coal each day during cold weather.

  6.  No member of the clerical staff may leave the room without
permission from Mr. Roberts.  The calls of nature are permitted and
clerical staff may use the garden beyond the second gate.  This area
must be kept clean in good order.

  7.  No talking is allowed during business hours.

  8.  The craving of tobacco, wines or spirits is a human weakness,
and as such is forbidden to the clerical staff.

  9.  Members of the clerical staff will provide their own pens.

 10.  The managers of the firm will expect a great rise in the output
of work to compensate for these near Utopian conditions.


Ah, the good old days!

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/