This pioneering book, originally published in 1903, was one of the earliest American works to advocate the beautification of cities in order to enhance the quality of life. Robinson believes that "beautiful surroundings lead to beautiful thoughts, both in men and women" and makes a passionate case for incorporating public art into urban planning efforts. His arguments are backed up by numerous historical and contemporary examples from around the world, making this a fascinating read for anyone interested in the intersection of art, design, and civic life. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.