There is considerable variety in and about Boston, but many of the newer houses of that city are thoroughly Oueen Anne in style. The older Boston style of residence with a convex or' " swell " front is much less usual now than it was a few years ago, but is by no means extinct. It is monotonous when repeated in long rows of four- or five-storey structures, but it is in all cases superior to the Philadelphia unadorned straight front. The angular bay-window is now in vogue.
The architecture of the private dwellings of the cities of the West is as a rule superior to that of their public buildings, though their best may scarcely equal in design or construction the best of New York City, Boston, or Philadelphia. The swell front of Boston has been extensively copied in St. Louis and Chicago, and is generally used upon houses two storeys in height; for in these Western cities ground is less costly than in the East, and more space is occupied. Until very recently the best pri vate buildings of the West partook largely of the spirit of Victorian Gothic, which certainly was a vast improvement upon the mansard roof, and even upon the swell front. Many of these houses can scarcely be said to have Gothic detail, though they cannot be referred to any other style. They eschew the pointed arch, having square openings spanned by lintels, continuous sill and lintel courses, and no projections on the walls.
The ordinary street-residence of every large city has some peculiarities. To avoid the sad effect of earthquakes, almost all the residences in San Francisco are built of wood, though 'within certain limits the walls must be of brick, to obviate the risk of fire. In the more pretentious dwellings what is known as " rustic " boarding is used to cover the exterior. The horizontal joints of this material simulate those of stonework, and the resemblance is purposely heightened by placing short pieces at the angles of the building to imitate quoins, and by painting and sanding the sur face (pi. 67, fig. I). Yet large sums of money are often expended on these residences, some of which attain palatial dimensions and exhibit lavish and well-designed ornamentation. Some of the more recently built dwellings of the metropolis of the Pacific Coast prove that the " Oueen Anne " manner has made its way there, also that stone is employed to an extent unthought of six years ago.
The architectural effect of a city to a considerable extent depends upon its plan. Most American cities are laid out with the streets at right .angles to one another; by this means long perspectives are obtained and whatever there is of palatial shows to full effect. On the other
hand, picturesqueness is sacrificed and convenience is minimized. Wash ington is in this respect a delightful exception to other cities. It is true that its broad streets are laid out at right angles, but they are crossed by a second system of streets at an angle of sixty degrees, giv ing convenient access to all parts. The triangular pieces left at the intersections are formed into gardens, and squares and open places abound. Taken as a whole, with its broad well-paved streets lined with magnificent dwellings set well back from the street-line, its grand public buildings—the seats of the governmental departments—its fountains and its gardens, Washington deserves its title of the " Paris of America," and is certainly the most beautiful city in the United States. The view along Connecticut Avenue will vie with that of any other street in the world; and if Pennsylvania Avenue still bears traces of a humble origin through the presence of some lowly structures, it has yet many fine ones which greatly enhance the impressive prospect terminated by the Capitol. The unfortunate yet talented L'Enfant, who laid out the city, may, now that his work is brought into relief by lines of handsome villas, receive some share of tardy praise.
Apirtment-houscs.—Within the last two decades apartment-houses and flats have become popular in many American cities, especially in New York, where they form a majority of the new structures and arc occupied by classes that heretofore have considered a separate dwelling indispen sable. The principal causes of this change have been the owners' desire for larger returns and the occupants' need of comparative proximity to business. Furthermore, in a properly-planned and well-constructed apart ment-house there is privacy combined with the security furnished by the presence of other families under the same roof; labor is lessened and many inconveniences are avoided; speaking-tubes afford means of communica tion; automatic door-openers admit the visitor; elevators lift or lower both the occupants and their goods; ash-shoots dispose of the refuse; common laundries lighten the labors of wash-day; and well-ventilated trunk-rooms . accommodate the baggage. Where proper regulations are enforced by municipalities with regard to light, ventilation, and fireproof qualities, the apartment-house is in every way preferable to the narrow terrace-house with three or more floors, such as is still usual in many cities.