THE THEORY OF CITY DESIGN. 63 



limited only by the topographical features of any selected site, is 

 a unique one in the history of a country : the manner in which 

 that office is discharged is of an importance which can hardly be 

 overstated. A capital city, its general design, its utilitarian and 

 aesthetic features, constitute an enduring index of the intelligence 

 and foresight, the nobility of the sentiment, and the dignity 

 of the artistic idea of the people creating it. The achievement 

 must necessarily depend mainly upon two things, one the 

 state of technical preparation, the other what may be denned as 

 the moment of our aesthetic consciousness. Faultless technical 

 knowledge is not in itself sufficient. It is, as it were, merely the 

 instrument necessary for the proper realisation of the higher 

 element; and if a city is to awaken in the beholder a distinct 

 impression of its beauty, if it is to be in this respect one of the 

 silent, subtle, but none the less high and powerful influences on 

 the people who create it, and their descendants, then the artistic 

 apperception, and the recognition of the dignity of the task, must 

 be correspondingly vivid, and the outlook broader than would be 

 dictated by mere utility. 



The question of the normal elements of motivity I do not, of 

 course, propose to discuss. The beauty and magnificence 

 already realised in some cities are sufficient to remind us 

 that no poverty of conception or present limitation should operate 

 to make it forever impossible to create a beautiful city. It is 

 therefore all-important that the city-designer shall take cognisance 

 of what has already been attained, and further that as far as his 

 instinct of prescience will allow, he shall anticipate the require- 

 ments and probable developments of the far distant future. 



What I do propose to discuss, are those things that must 

 necessarily command technical attention by way of preparation 

 for what lies before a people when called upon to create a capital 

 or other important city; and shall assume as given, a suitable site 

 or sites, with its sine qua non, an abundant water-supply. 



2. General idea of a city. — In order that the concentration of 

 human activity, which is the essential feature of the aggregation 



