Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/70

 58 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

its character. This, nevertheless, is the plan for the Markische Museum in Berlin, and for the Maclgeburg Art Museum, models of which were exhibited. It is explained that such a museum is a museum even in its exterior. It is also a monstrosity. Not all of the Berlin architects are so conscientious on this point. They prefer to lay excessive emphasis upon conformity to sur- rounding architecture, as exemplified in two models exhibited. One, catalogued as an engine house, might as well have been a palace, and the other, to all appearances a chapel, is nothing but a street-cleaning depot. The most modern buildings for schools are simple and substantial, and the decorations as well as the architecture are characteristic and appropriate. Many cities con- tinue to use their old Raihauser with their assembly-rooms and their Ratskeller reminiscent of the days of great receptions and magnificent banquets. It is recognized, however, that the modern city hall is an office building where the enormous busi- ness of a great corporation is transacted. Leipzig exhibited plans, drawings, and a large model of its imposing new city hall, which is to combine some of the features of the Rathaus with those of a modern office building. The following cities exhibited plans or models of their municipal theaters: Aachen, Augs- burg, Halle, Nurnberg, Fiirth, Wiesbaden, Flensburg, Bielefeld. Worms, and Dortmund. It cannot be claimed that all the Ger- man theaters are fit models for copying; but the more monu- mental ones, which are usually royal or municipal, have a style and character of their own. The building is a group building in which the outer architecture discovers readily the inner divisions, The first section is the low semi-circular vestibule, with numerous entrances whence the audience have direct communication with their seats. Next comes the taller, often richly decorated, curv- ing foyer. The main, central portion is the auditorium, which is all too often in the shape of a horse shoe and contains many very poor seats. Back of this is the smaller and lower stage building. Cleanliness. The further step of beautifying has not yet, in all cases, followed the more fundamental advance toward sanita- tion and hygiene; for beauty is a later development than is utility. It need not be long, however^ before a simple and taste-