XXX. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



appearance of excessive symmetry. The proper subordination in 

 the various parts of structures of their mass effects was necessary 

 to awaken that impression of stability and repose which, together 

 with grandeur of form and beauty of outline, and the grace of 

 harmonious ornament, constitute the ideal of architectural design. 

 Although these matters required the immediate and intense atten- 

 tion rather of those charged with erecting the buildings of a city, 

 than of those whose function it is to design its streets and general 

 arrangements, the latter can by no means neglect them. A 

 knowledge of and attention to aesthetic laws are absolutely 

 necessary in studying a design, so that the artistic possibilities of 

 overy feature could be exhausted. 



The nature of advantageous sites for effect, the importance of 

 appropriating them for those great public buildings and monu- 

 ments upon which a people may be expected to lavish its wealth 

 and artistically express its national feeling, the spatial provision 

 necessary for the proper view of such buildings and monuments, 

 the general treatment of streets from the standpoint of aesthetics 

 were discussed at some length. It was said that even alteration 

 of width was preferable to excessive symmetry; that the undis- 

 guised presence of telegraph wires, telephone cables, etc., besides 

 being unsightly, was a menace to public safety in cases of fire ; 

 that though overhead electric wires in a tram-system were less 

 unsightly, yet they were inconsistent with a fine effect, and might 

 well be transferred to underground conduits, as has already been 

 done in some instances. Monuments and masses of foliage could 

 be employed as a relief to street uniformity, and to obviate the 

 ugly effect which arises from the disappearance of buildings etc., 

 over the summit of streets crossing a ridge. 



Touching parks and gardens, which were not only an ornament 

 to a city but a necessity to its people, if their health is to be 

 regarded, we were justified in making liberal provision ; irregular 

 surfaces being preferred, as giving the landscape gardener greater 

 scope for displaying his art, and as possessing intrinsically greater 

 charm. 



