Musical accompaniment: Whistles the Wind by Flogging Molly.
The Lavirotte Building at 29 Avenue Rapp in Paris is one of the best preserved examples of art nouveau architecture in the city.
The architect, Jules Lavirotte, won a prize for the most original facade that year. The city took an interest in ensuring its streets and buildings were beautiful. The people were encouraged to produce and preserve extraordinarily beautiful things, and they were rewarded for doing so.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
In the United States, our cities used to be notable for their cleanliness and beauty too. They never had the artistic beauty of Paris, perhaps, but the openness and clean lines of our public buildings were pleasing to the eye. Our streets were broad and the buildings didn’t exceed a certain height to allow for natural light. Laws about cleanliness of the streets were strictly enforced: there were no tents on the sidewalk, graffiti, and overflowing garbage cans. The city governments knew it was in the people’s interest for it to be so.
Kansas City is a good example. In 1906, it was one of the most beautiful mid-size cities west of Chicago. This is the Board of Trade building on West Eighth Avenue. It’s obviously an industrial area, but the building is beautiful and suitable to its purpose. And it was made more appealing by its immediate surroundings: the broad streets, the cleanliness and lack of overcrowding.
Bygonely
The building was razed in the 1960s. I couldn’t determine the exact spot where it once stood, but here is a Google Map screenshot of the approximate area today.
Another view of Kansas City in 1906 at 12 Petticoat Lane. It’s busy, but because of the broadness of the streets, it still appears clean and open. I love the lunette windows of the buildings in the background, and you can faintly discern the steeple of a church in the distance.
Robbed of its charming architecture and broad streets, Petticoat Lane now has a distinctly claustrophobic feel to it.
I haven’t brought all of these contrasts up for the sake of dwelling on the decay. It’s really more of a prologue for something I’ve been thinking about, which is how to contribute in some small way to restoring some beauty and loveliness back to our world.
I have a little idea I’m thinking through–maybe it’s more of a social experiment–regarding language. Does that sound interesting to you so far? I hope so. I’d like you all to join me in this experiment! I’ll be sharing more soon. Good night for now.
old spirituals 
Here! Here! The deterioration of the beauty of America’s larger and medium size cities is obvious. A number of reasons account for that happening, though the nexus between “language” alone and deterioration of American cities is not immediately obvious to me. A change in culture, which is more than just “language,” is the contributing factor. That includes much more than “language.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you’re right. We need to do a lot to restore our great cities. A person who has a talent for local government and understands how important beauty and cleanliness are could make a tremendous difference. But we can all do something. I’ll be sharing this experiment as soon as I get a few details figured out.
LikeLike
I feel your sorrow. let us know. I’ll help with thr experiment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ruby! 💖 it’ll be fun
LikeLiked by 1 person
I neglected mentioning that I enjoy Flogging Molly, too. Last year, Dave King, the group’s lead singer, had serious health issues requiring 2 or 3 surgeries. According to his wife, Bridget Regan, who is also in the group, Dave is improving. His surgeon was “Mr. Kieron Sweeney.” In Ireland, the title of “Doctor” is not used to identify a “Surgeon.” Way back, surgeons did not require a medical degree and were often seen as separate from physicians, thus the title “Mister” was used. Today, “Mr.” is still used and has become a badge of honor to identify doctors who have completed their surgical education. Another difference in medical titles in Great Britain compared to the U.S. is “Consultant” versus “Specialist.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got to meet Flogging Molly once upon a time, back when I lived in Ohio. Really swell people! I didn’t know Dave King had any health issues. I’m glad he’s doing better!
LikeLike