How one cultural vision has lessons for the whole world

The British Museum is now our top attraction. If only others would shrug off their deadening ways and follow its lead According to its director, Neil MacGregor, the monstrous iron gates of the British Museum have only twice in its history had to be closed to the public. The first time was in 1848, for fear of angry Chartist radicals. And the second was earlier this year, as thousands queued for the museum's Terracotta Army exhibition.