House & Garden 
TRAFALGAR SQUARE, From the South 
LONDON 
In the consideration of this latter point 
even something more than a “harmonious” 
setting may be sought. The square will oc¬ 
casionally give an opportunity for terracing, 
or for balustrades, that will make a fine ap¬ 
proach without trespassing too severely on 
precious space. In one of the papers of the 
recently issued report on “The Improve¬ 
ment ol the City of Washington,” there is 
this suggestive comment: “ In many cases 
the approaches to a 
simple inexpensive 
structure exalt it 
above a pretentious, 
but undeveloped, 
neighbor, and in any 
scheme for the em¬ 
bellishment of a 
city too much stress 
cannot be laid on 
these important 
accessories to the 
higher architectural 
achievements.” As 
clearly, again, if there 
be planting in such a 
square, the paths must 
not be circular, but 
diagonal, so affording the short cuts that will 
accommodate the traffic and not lengthening 
courses in order that a few more flowers may 
be planted. Flowers growing under condi¬ 
tions that compel the hurried traveler to 
make a detour around them exasperate rather 
than delight. Similarly, ii a monument or 
fountain is to adorn the square, it must be in 
scale and must not occupy too much ground. 
A hundred examples illustrating the wise and 
unwise treatment ot 
the squares that are 
thus essentially urban 
come to mind. 
In front of Santa 
Croce in Florence 
there is a broad space, 
made familiar by the 
statue of Dante. The 
space is too large lor 
the traffic. The 
result is a feeling ol 
bareness, and a sense 
of loneliness for the 
statue. T he sun 
beats pitilessly on 
the great empty area, 
where a lew trees, so 
PLAN OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE 
2 55 
