Page:John Nolen--New ideals in the planning of cities.djvu/21

CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES only that some are built more with brick than with wood and others more with wood than with brick. A French observer supports Mr. Bryce when he writes that, "These business men, who are occupied with constructing a whole Western civilization out of entirely foreign elements, naturally make it in the image of the American character. Through them the national consciousness projects itself in towns and enterprises so entirely alike that travelers complain of it. They are all agreed in reproaching this country for its cruel monotony. Some humorist or other has compared American things to hot-house strawberries, big as apricots, red as roses, and with no taste. If there is any truth in this epigram, it is the fault of the business