THE EVOLUTION OF THE STREET—II. 
By CHARLES MULFORl) ROBINSON 
( Continued frotn the November number of House and Garden ) 
H AVING observed the simpler progress 
of the street’s evolution and the thor¬ 
oughfare’s earlier characteristics, it will be well 
to observe the degree of elaboration and com¬ 
plexity to which this development finally 
leads. Before noting the varieties of street 
that originate because of the power of local 
influences and requirements, it is indeed 
only right that there should be consideration 
of the character of “ the species ” after its 
long course of evolution. We have seen, 
that is to say, the street’s first stage, we have 
noted the earlier developments in its prog¬ 
ress. These have indicated the course of 
growth it will follow and have shown the 
connection between the latest stage and the 
first. But a study of the evolution of even 
that which may be called the concept of the 
street, will not be complete until there is a 
thoughtful examination of its finally devel¬ 
oped features. 
The street was left in its first conscious 
striving for urban dignity at the gate of the 
city wall. Architectural emphasis and pre¬ 
tentiousness had been given to the portal. 
And because this construction dominated the 
vista of the street for a long distance, the 
way, though still narrow and disordered, had 
gained much in seeming importance. The 
next forward step will be a broadening of 
the street before the gate. 
There is convergence of travel here such 
that a broader space has much of utility and 
convenience as well as greater attractiveness 
THE PORTA FELICE AT PALERMO 
263 
