174 City Homes on Country Lanes 



community. It is desirable, though not strictly neces- 

 sary, that it should be very attractive in a material 

 way, and very complete in all its facilities. I have 

 had something to do with such institutions over a lonjjj 

 period of years; and, testifying from experience, can 

 bear witness to the fact that it is possible to achieve 

 the finest spiritual results in the humblest environment. 

 Never have I seen the spiritual flame of the community 

 rise higher than in a little civic center which consisted 

 of a shanty and a tent, and which became, in fact, the 

 starting point of a new social history; but that was a 

 matter of necessity rather than of choice. It is desir- 

 able that this great spirit should be comfortably, even 

 handsomely, housed, and this will be readily possible 

 in communities thoughtfully planned in advance, in the 

 light of experience. 



There is need, first of all, of a good-sized auditorium, 

 capable of seating at least one-third of the community, 

 which is as large a proportion as would attend on all 

 except the most important occasions. There is much 

 use for smaller halls, and it is convenient and practi- 

 cable to have these built at the side of the large audi- 

 torium, and so arranged that they can be opened into 

 it when it may be necessary to accommodate an unusual 

 audience. One of the most cherished institutions in 

 the garden city, as in all communities, is the public 

 library and reading-room, and this should be an in- 

 tegral part of the civic center. Nearly all facilities 

 of the modern club should be provided, since club life, 

 both for men and women, is one of the most interesting 

 and satisfying features in the daily experiences of the 

 cultured and well-to-do. 



