Hi Listers, A couple of you have posted a link to a website that would seem to take the view opposite of what I have espoused. I guess I was not obvious enough in my original post, when I talked of "websites with names that seem like they should be authoritative". The website cited is not a product of critical thinking on the issue, but is rather a harem-scarem piece written by folks who have an EMOTIONAL bond to the idea that shaving cream is bad. You really need look no further than the link (therein) to "stearic acid", one of the components of shaving cream. It gives information about first aid measures for contact based on type (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, &c.). What in the world does this have to do with anything? It is fear-mongering, and it seems to have already worked even on one of our own list members. Please don't forget that we are talking about shaving cream here. I don't know anyone who is saying it would be a good idea to BREATHE stearic acid - that would probably be bad. But what is worse about the website in question is that it makes claims which simply demonstrate a lack of logical thinking. It talks about about how shaving cream is more acidic than acid rain, and thus it will be like acid rain in "hastening destruction". First of all, ALL rain is acid rain. All rain has ALWAYS been acidic. This is what I meant by "carbonation" (a form of chemical weathering) in my previous note. Shaving cream is LESS acidic than normal, typical rain in most of eastern north america, and about the same pH as western north america. So if anything, shaving cream would have a PROTECTIVE effect against this acid rain, which is the real culprit, due to hydrolysis, hydration, and carbonation. I agree that you do whatever the caretaker says, regardless of how ill-informed he may be. However, I think a charge of "vandalism" couldn't be prosecuted. This is because there is a specific requirement for the legal class of "vandalism" in that the action must yield PERMANENT change. And as I have said, shaving cream causes NO change. So maybe trespassing could be found, but not vandalism. Some people have advocated using water for some purpose. I cannot see how someone could advocate that, and at the same time be against using shaving cream. Water is a known chemical weathering agent by virtue of hydrolysis and hydration, and also carbonation where the water is rain. I think a lot of people have fallen into a trap of something like circular reasoning. They reason that nothing that might harm the stone should be put on it, and since shaving cream might harm the stone, it should not be put on it. This presumes the conclusion. The premise that shaving cream might harm the stone is false. This type of reasoning is illogical, and if followed in general genealogical concerns, then I now understand why so many people have pedigrees which are (shall I say?) really 'entertaining'. But there is no need to resort to logical arguments, or rationales, or even appeals to authorities on this matter (as it seems this list is want to do), as it has ALREADY been settled scientifically. On organic chemist and a geologist already did EXACTLY the experiment under consideration with an accelerated aging process, and calculated that the difference between the experimental group and the control group could be discerned by human eye in a "mere" 8,000 years, if you shaving creamed the stone EVERY DAY. I think it is safe to say that at the 8,000-year mark, the stone will already be gone due to other factors. Brock __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail