Separate structures have been shot into the air as though impelled by some terrific volcanic agency, but there is no hint of any idea of relationship between them; they suggest rather the accidental huddlins: of more or less unrelated and even incon-

New Buildino-s and Old n gruous elements. The saw-tooth sky-hne thus produced does not add an element of beauty to the aspect of the city as seen from the ri\'er: on the contrary, the ragged, irregular procession of domes, pyramids, cones, spires, and bricks-on-end give an impression of wealth, power, aggressiveness, -- of almost an^-thing under heaven except taste and relationship. In all this monster collection of buildings there is no suggestion of any community of interest. Every sky-scraper proclaims, as far as it can be seen, that it does not recognise any other sky-scraper except as a possible rival to l3e overtopped by the addition of several more stories or a cupola or two. It will seem to many peo]:)le like heresy to afhrm that New York from any point of view lacks beauty ; but it is sometimes a melancholv dutv to cherish a heresv.

38 The Hudson River

or even, upon occasion, to proclaim it. As a matter of opinion we hold that there are in the world several cities containing a fraction of the population and enterprise and wealth of New York that are much more impressive in a perspective view. There are cities, and even small towns, that present themselves to the imagination as units and are in their degree satisfying to that sane something within us that demands balance and proportion in art. They are at once comprehensive and comprehensil^le. But Manhattan is without a plan. Each building is a unit, sufficient unto itself, and the city is chaos. It is aside from the purpose of this book, and more fitting for a philosophical treatise, to suggest that there is something in the life and activit}" of the metropolis that conforms to its architectural sky-line.