,illustration           ,,the           
,,velocipede2   ,,its   ,,history1      
,,varieties1 ,,and ,,practice     ,,with
 ,,illustrations4       ,,new ,,york3   
,,published ,,by ,,hurd ,,and           
,,houghton4   ,cambridge3 ,riverside    
,press4   #ahfi4           ,entered     
according to ,act of ,congress1 in the  
year #ahfi1 by   ,j4 ,t4 ,goddard1   in 
the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district   
,court for   the ,district of           
,massachusetts4       ,,riverside1      
,,cambridge3   ,,stereotyped ,,and      
,,printed ,,by   ,h4 ,o4 ,,houghton     
,,and ,,company4          ,,preface     
,when the rumor first came across the   
water1 a few years ago1 of that         
wonderful and fascinating little        
two-wheeled machine1 upon which one     
could so gracefully annihilate time and 
space1 the author of this  little book  
was seized with his first attack of     
,velocipede ,fever4    ,when1 in the    
spring of #ahfh1 we heard how popular   
this invention was  becoming in ,france1

 how much it was ridden in ,paris2 in   
its ,boulevards1  its ,bois de          
,boulogne1 and on the smooth paths of   
the ,champs ,elyses2  how it was        
employed for amusement in the ,garden of
 the ,tuileries1 and  by the laborer in 
the suburbs going to his daily toil2 how
 exhilarating  to the gentleman1 how    
useful to the messenger and post-boy1 we
 were  again seized with the disease    
with renewed virulence4    ,we could    
hardly delay for one from across the    
,atlantic1 and embraced  the first      
opportunity to learn the art of riding4 
,while learning1 with  bruised elbows   
and scraped knees1 with the bicycle more
 of the time on  us than we on it1 we   
felt how usefully we could employ a few 
hints of  instruction1 and how          
invaluable we should find some little   
book that  would tell us all about the  
machine4    ,after we were somewhat     
proficient1 we were amazed that we had  
not  learned before1 and saw how easily 
we could have done so1 if we had  only  

been a little informed of the method of 
procedure4    ,when we proposed         
purchasing1 we were all adrift1 as      
likely to buy a  poor machine as a good 
one1 and anxiously scanned the papers1  
and  inquired of friends concerning the 
merits and demerits of each patent  and 
make4    ,so far as we can learn1 there 
has been no book written upon the       
,velocipede1 either abroad or in this   
country4    ,it is the design of this   
little work1 not only to give a few     
simple  directions to guide the         
beginner1 but to give the history of the
  machine from its first origin1 to     
treat accurately and impartially of  the
 strength1 lightness1 superiority1 and  
inferiority of each important  machine  
and patent1 and to collect such facts1  
statistics1 and items1  as may be of use
 and information to any one interested  
in the subject4    ,we think it an      
invention which will not have an        
ephemeral popularity1  but which will1  
in its way1 revolutionize travel for all

 time4 ,we love  the velocipede1 and can
 truly quote1 8,amor jussit scribere40  
,we wish to thank the various           
manufacturers for their kindness in     
giving us information1 and to           
acknowledge our indebtedness to various 
newspapers that have fallen in our way1 
to the 8,scientific ,american10  to the 
8,galaxy10 and to the 8,velocipedist10  
and its genial and  accomplished young  
editor4     ,cambridge1 ,march #bj1     
#ahfi4          ,,contents4             
,,page     ,the ,velocipede3 its        
,history and ,origin                    
#g     ,the ,bicycle                    
#ag     ,patents and the ,rights of     
,manufacturers                       #bg
     ,hints to ,purchasers              
#ce     ,advice to the ,beginner        
#ci     ,construction of the ,bicycle   
#de     ,varieties of the ,bicycle3     
,wood ,brothers' ,velocipede            
#dh     ,the ,monod ,velocipede         
#ej     ,witty's ,velocipede            
#ea     ,pickering's ,american          

,velocipede                             
#eb     ,sargent ,velocipede            
#ee     ,kimball's ,velocipede          
#eg     ,the ,dexter ,bicycle           
#fa     ,the ,chicago ,velocipede       
#fb     ,four-wheeled ,velocipedes3     
,bradford's ,velocipede                 
#fd     ,callahan's ,velocipede         
#fg     ,the ,tricycle                  
#gj     ,hemming's ,unicycle1 or        
8,flying ,yankee ,velocipede0           
#gf     ,velocipedes for ,ladies        
#he     ,velocipede ,schools and ,rinks 
#ij     8,where shall we ride80         
#ig     ,velocipede ,racing             
#ii     ,velocipede ,literature         
#ajc     ,velocipathy4 ,the ,velocipede 
from a ,medical ,point of ,view     #ajd
          ,,the ,,velocipede3    ,,its  
,,history ,,and ,,origin4      ,we have 
spent much time in fruitless and weary  
researches over old  ,french books and  
musty journals1 and have found that     
there is but very  little about the     
,velocipede1 in the literature1 or      

dictionaries and  encyclopedias of      
ancient or modern times4    ,in the     
8,journal de ,paris0 of ,july #bg1      
#aggi1 there is a description of  a     
vehicle invented by ,messrs4 ,blanchard 
and ,mesurier1 the former the           
celebrated aeronaut1 which was exhibited
 on the ,place ,louis ,,xv41 named      
to-day ,place de ,concorde1 in the      
presence of many members of the ,french 
,academy and a large concourse of       
spectators4 ,at the head of the machine 
was the figure of an eagle1 with        
outspread wings1 to which was attached  
the apparatus with which the driver     
directed its movements4 ,behind it  was 
seated an individual who propelled the  
machine4 ,at a subsequent  date1 the    
inventor transported the vehicle to     
,versailles1 and exhibited  its         
capabilities1 in the presence of ,louis 
,,xvi41 ,marie ,antoinette1 and  their  
effeminate court4 ,at a later date ,m4  
,dreuze made an improvement  on this    
invention1 which met with some success  

as a toy4 ,a number of  these machines  
were constructed after his model1 and   
distributed among  country postmen1 who 
used the novelty for a time1 until a    
heavy fall of  snow rendered them       
unserviceable1 when they were abandoned1
 greatly to  the gratification of a     
conservative class1 who1 detesting      
anything in  the way of innovation1 had 
prophesied their failure4    ,the       
article upon the ,velocipede in the     
8,american ,encyclopedia10  commences by
 giving the well-known derivation of the
 word from the  ,latin velox1 swift1 and
 pes1 a foot1 and defines it as a       
carriage1  by means of which the rider  
propels himself along the ground1 and   
states that it was invented at ,manheim4
    ,in a little old ,french book called
 8,dictionnaire de ,conversation10      
under the word ,velocipede1 we are      
referred to the word ,drasienne1  on    
turning to which1 we find a description 
of the three-wheeled arm  movement      
,velocipede1 and the credit of its      

invention ascribed to ,baron  ,charles  
,drais de ,saverbrun1 at ,manheim1 at   
the early commencement of  the          
nineteenth century4 ,the ,drasienne1    
though a decidedly crude idea1  differed
 very materially from the clumsy        
structure of ,messrs4 ,blanchard  and   
,mesurier4    ,baron ,drais de          
,saverbrun seems to be universally      
considered the  inventor of the germ1   
which has developed into the present    
improved  ,velocipede4 ,he was a man of 
considerable scientific attainments1 and
  author of several works2 son of a     
lawyer1 himself a landscape gardener2   
and died at ,carlsruhe1 ,december #ab1  
#ahea4 ,he was master of the woods  and 
forests of the ,grand ,duke of ,baden1  
and rode about upon the  ,drasienne1    
while performing his official duties4   
,this invention made its dbut in #ahaf1 
in the garden of ,tivoli1 which  was at 
that time the favorite resort of the    
crme de la crme of  ,parisian society4  
,as originally constructed it appears to

 have been of  the most simple kind4 ,it
 consisted of a bar five feet long1     
supported  at each end upon a single    
wheel1 that designed for the front being
  so arranged as to turn obliquely to   
the line of the carriage4 ,the  rider   
sat astride the bar1 and propelled the  
machine by the action of  the feet upon 
the ground4 ,the motion was much like   
walking upon the  heels2 as the feet    
were brought down flat1 the heels were  
the first  to touch4 ,the vehicle was   
never generally patronized1 because the 
pleasure of riding it was               
counterbalanced by the labor of         
propelling  it4 ,it was called the      
8,clrifre10 or 8makespeed10 and many    
shafts  of ridicule were leveled        
mercilessly at it4 ,the mode of         
propelling  it was not graceful1 and    
this ridicule was not without           
foundation4  ,it disappeared from view  
in ,france almost as rapidly as its     
inventor  expected it to roll into      
public favor4 ,this novel vehicle1 under

 the  name of 8,drasina0 was introduced 
into ,england in #ahah1 and1 at first1  
the greatest possible expectations were 
created1 with regard to its  usefulness 
and speed4 ,it was maintained1 that it  
would travel up-hill  on a post-road as 
fast as a man could walk2 that on a     
level1 even after  a heavy rain1 it     
would average six or seven miles an     
hour2 and that1 on  a descent1 it would 
equal a horse at full speed4 ,it was    
described in  the advertisements of the 
day as 8consisting of two wheels1 one   
behind  the other1 connected by a perch1
 on which a saddle is placed as a seat4 
,the front wheel is made to turn on a   
pivot1 guided by a circular lever  or   
rudder1 which comes up to the hand2 the 
fore-arms rest on a cushion  in front2  
in this position1 both hands holding the
 rudder firmly1 the  machine and        
traveller are preserved in equilibrio40 
,in #ahba ,lewis ,gompertz of ,surrey1  
introduced some decided improvements    
upon the ,drasina1 as will be seen from 

the accompanying engraving1  extracted  
from the #cith volume of the ,english   
8,repertory of ,arts40    ,illustration 
,the object of the improvement of       
,gompertz was to bring the arms of  the 
rider into action1 in assistance to his 
legs4 ,it consisted 8in  the application
 of a handle1 ,c1 which is to be worked 
backwards and  forwards1 to which is    
attached a circular rack1 ,d ,g1 which  
works in  a pinion1 ,e1 with ratch wheel
 on the front wheel of the velocipede1  
and which1 on being pulled by the rider 
with both hands1 sends the  machine     
forward2 and when thrust from him does  
not send it back again1  on account of  
the ratch1 which allows the pinion to   
turn in that  direction1 free of the    
wheel4 ,h is the saddle1 and the rest1  
,b is so  made that the breast of the   
rider bears against it1 while the sides 
come around him at some distance below  
the arms1 and is stuffed40 ,the  rider  
could with this machine either propel it
 entirely without the  feet1 or he could

 use the feet1 while the arms were free4
 ,the beam1 ,a1  was made of beech wood1
 and a pivot at ,f1 allowed the front   
wheel to be  turned to the right or left
 at the will of the rider4 ,this must   
have  been1 although somewhat clumsily  
shaped1 quite an efficient machine1     
good for the times--forty-eight years   
ago4 ,it will be seen that it  has many 
features in common with the one now in  
vogue1 though the  difference in the    
manner of propelling completely changes 
the character  of the vehicle4    ,among
 those who distinguished themselves on  
the velocipede in ,england  was ,michael
 ,faraday the chemist1 who frequently   
drove his machine  through the suburbs  
of ,london4    ,the velocipede was      
cultivated most assiduously for some    
little time  by the sporting gentry of  
,england2 but ,lord ,george ,bentinck   
and other  persons of fashion finally   
pronounced so decidedly against it1 that
  it descended to the vulgar level of a 
plaything for young people1 and  ceased 

to be regarded in any other light than  
that of a toy or hobby4  ,while the     
fever lasted1 a shoemaker of ,london    
made much money by the  manufacture of a
 strong shoe1 soled with iron1 which    
greatly aided the  feet of the          
8,velocipeders10 as they went over the  
ground4    ,william ,howitt1 in his     
8,visits to ,remarkable ,places10 a book
 published  in #ahda1 makes mention of  
the velocipede as follows--the passage  
is taken from a description of ,alnwick 
,castle1 the ancient seat of  the ,percy
 family3 8,among the curiosities laid up
 here1 are also two  velocipedes1       
machines which twenty years ago were for
 a short period  much in vogue4 ,one    
young man of my acquaintance rode on one
 of these  wooden horses all the way    
from ,london to ,falkirk in ,scotland1  
and was  requested at various towns to  
exhibit his management of it to the     
ladies and gentlemen of the place4 ,he  
afterward made a long excursion  to     
,france upon it4 ,he was a very adroit  

velocipedean1 and was very  much amused 
with the circumstance of a gentleman    
meeting him by the  river side1 who1    
requesting to be allowed to try it1 and 
being shown  how he must turn the handle
 in order to guide it1 set off with     
great  spirit1 but turning the wrong    
way1 soon found himself hurrying to the 
edge of the river1 where in his flurry1 
instead of turning the handle  the other
 way1 he began lustily shouting #8,woh6'
 #8woh6' and so crying  plunged headlong
 into the stream4 ,the ,duke's horse1   
which is laid up  here for the          
gratification of posterity1 was1 ,i     
believe1 not so unruly2  yet ,i was told
 its pranks caused it to be disused and 
here stabled4  ,it is said that the duke
 and his physicians used to amuse       
themselves  with careering about the    
grounds on these steeds2 but one day    
being  somewhere on the terrace1 his    
grace's ,trojan steed capsized1 and     
rolled  over and over with him down the 
green bank1 much to the amusement of  a 

troop of urchins who were mounted on a  
wall by the road to witness  this novel 
kind of racing4 ,on this accident the   
velocipede was laid up  in lavender1 and
 a fine specimen of the breed it is4 ,i 
asked the old  porter if the story was  
true1 but he only said1 #8,mind6 ,i did 
not tell  you that4 ,don't pretend to   
say1 if you write any account of this   
place1  that you had that from me4'0    
,the machine was introduced into ,new   
,york in #ahai1 where it was given  the 
,english name of 8,hobby-horse0 or      
8,dandy-horse40 ,the excitable  citizens
 went into an ecstasy of astonishment   
and delight1 and the  manufacturers     
found it impossible to meet the demand4 
,a place was  opened for their          
exhibition near ,bowling ,green1 and    
people used  to run on them up and down 
the ,bowery1 and the hill that led from 
,chatham ,street to the ,city ,hall     
,park4 ,the rage for them soon extended 
throughout the country2 and we hear of  
them in ,philadelphia1 ,yonkers1  ,troy1

 ,saratoga1 and ,boston4 ,at ,troy in   
the fall of #ahai1 a firm1 ,davis  and  
,rogers1 manufactured a number of       
machines1 and used to let them to  the  
young bloods about town1 at twenty-five 
cents an hour4 ,in ,boston  they became 
quite common1 and1 moonlight nights1    
students from the  classic shades of    
,old ,harvard could be seen running them
 across the  long bridge into the city4 
,in a ,new ,york paper of those days we 
find an interesting account of a  newly 
invented velocipede for ladies then     
building 8by a distinguished  artist40  
8,it is to have beams1 or bodies on     
springs1 and four wheels  which will    
insure its safety4 ,it is to quarter on 
the road like other  carriages2 and with
 four impellers it is supposed it will  
proceed  with astonishing rapidity2 but 
its peculiar recommendation is to be    
conveyance of two ladies and two        
impellers at the rate of six miles  an  
hour40    ,the 8,ladies ,literary       
,cabinet0 7published corner ,chatham and

 ,duane  streets71 of ,saturday1 ,august
 #i1 #ahai1 gives a very amusing account
  of a hoax which seems to have         
completely deceived the citizens3       
8,,velocipede ,,hoax4 ,some mischievous 
wag on ,saturday last1 caused printed   
hand-bills to be distributed1 announcing
 that on ,monday at five o'clock        
precisely1 a velocipede would start from
 the head of ,chatham ,square1  and     
proceed to ,st4 ,paul's ,church in less 
than two minutes1 and that it  would    
afterward be exhibited in the ,park1    
etc4 ,notwithstanding the rain  on      
,monday1 the people began to collect at 
an early hour1 so that before  five     
o'clock ,chatham ,street was literally  
crowded from one end to the  other4     
,every window from the basement to the  
attic was thrown open1 and  filled with 
the beautiful heads of ladies and       
children1 exposed to the  incessant     
searching mist1 which robbed their      
lovely tresses of every  curl which the 
morning's industry had created4 ,but    

female fortitude  and curiosity         
combined1 are not to be shaken by wind  
and weather4 ,for  more than an hour did
 the throng continue to increase1 until 
it was  almost impossible to pass the   
street with or without a velocipede4 ,in
  the mean time1 the ,park was also     
crowded1 and the ,city ,hall exhibited  
the appearance of a gala-day4 ,it is    
needless to say that no velocipede      
appeared40    ,since that time down to a
 recent day1 when ,m4 ,lallement1 of    
,france1  took it in hand1 all          
experiments to render the machine       
subservient  to practical purposes      
appear to have been unsatisfactory1 and 
it has  only been used as a toy1 with   
the modification of a third wheel4 ,m4  
,lallement succeeded in affixing to the 
front wheel of the two-wheeled  machine1
 treadles which should be acted upon by 
the feet4 ,his success  attending his   
endeavors to ride it1 was beyond his    
most sanguine  expectations4 ,after     
becoming a thorough master of the tandem

 team1  he appeared upon the ,champs    
,elyses1 and created a genuine furore4  
,people not only wondered that such a   
strange machine should run so  swiftly1 
but that it should run at all upon two  
wheels in a line4 ,he  obtained a patent
 upon his velocipede1 and sold it to    
,messrs4 ,michaux   ,co41 of ,paris1 who
 have since improved much upon it4 ,m4  
,lallement1 with  ,james ,carroll1 of   
,new ,haven1 ,conn41 obtained a patent  
in this country  in #ahff4    ,the      
machines now in use are so radically    
different from those of fifty  years    
ago1 so perfect in propelling power1 so 
easy to ride1 so swift of  motion1 so   
useful as a means of conveyance1 that it
 seems impossible  for history to repeat
 itself with regard to the present      
mania4          ,illustration           
,,the ,,bicycle4      ,of the various   
kinds of velocipedes1 four1 three1 two1 
and one wheeled1  the bicycle seems to  
be considered the most artistic1 is     
altogether  the most in favor1 and      

steadily maintains its ground against   
all  rivals4 ,whether it will be the    
model velocipede of the future remains  
to be seen4 ,the various experiments now
 being tried will1 no doubt1  eventually
 result in a nearly perfect machine1 but
 it will require  a season's experience 
fully to develop the ingenuity of our   
,american  artisans4    ,many have      
expressed doubts as to the real utility 
of the velocipede1  and the permanency  
of its use4 ,they seem to think it a    
frivolous  invention only calculated to 
serve purposes of amusement1 and soon   
to be superseded by some other ephemeral
 claimant for popularity4  ,most of     
these have based their opinions upon the
 disuse into which  rude machines have  
fallen in former times4 ,but the        
difference in the  construction of the  
modern velocipede from the primitive one
 has  entirely changed the character of 
the vehicle4 ,it is no longer a draft   
vehicle1 but a locomotive1 and as much  
superior to the original bar on  wheels1

 as the improved steam locomotive is to 
the old time stage-coach4    ,we believe
 in the utility1 convenience1 and       
economy of the innovation1  as well as  
in its capacity for affording amusement1
 and developing  strength and skill2 and
 believe as now improved1 it is destined
 to mark  an era in the history of      
vehicles4 ,it has passed the period of  
being  a mere toy1 and although as the  
novelty wears away1 there may be less   
enthusiasm1 it will continue to be used1
 and in an increasing degree1  for      
street locomotion4 ,with those who live 
in the cities and require  a daily      
exercise1 exhilarating1 pleasant1       
healthful1 and free from  expense2 with 
those who reside in the country and have
 long distances  to traverse daily in   
reaching the scene of their labors1 or  
with those  who have leisure and wealth 
at their command1 but love such         
exercises  as afford an opportunity for 
the display of grace1 agility1 and      
skill1  the velocipede has already      

become as great a favorite in this      
country  as it is in ,france and        
,england4    ,its want of adaptability  
to the roughly paved road-ways of our   
cities1  is already1 in a great measure1
 overcome1 and experience has proved its
  facility in rure4 ,we have seen the   
bicycle run with ease on country  roads1
 and dashing with full speed through    
city streets1 totally  regardless of    
curbstones or crossings4 ,in ,new ,york1
 no matter where  you go1 a velocipede  
is sure to whiz past you4 ,the          
school-boy rides up  ,fifth ,avenue in  
the morning1 with his books strapped    
before him4 ,in  ,broadway1 where       
stages1 wagons1 carts1 trucks1 and      
carriages1 clog the  street from morning
 till night1 the iron steed may be seen 
gracefully  cutting its way among the   
larger vehicles4    ,the exercise is not
 tiresome1 except to the beginner4 ,we  
have found  twelve miles on a country   
road no more fatiguing than a brisk walk
 of  two4 ,we believe a man may ride and

 drive one at the rate of ten miles  an 
hour1 with less fatigue than he could   
walk one quarter of that  distance4     
,some people ride easier than others1 as
 some skate easier4  ,some people make  
hard work of anything4 ,lazy people will
 never fall in  love with the bicycle1  
because to ride one requires all the    
faculties  to be alive and in action4   
,to keep one's balance1 however1 does   
not  require that constant labor and    
exertion which novices suppose4         
8,familiarity breeds contempt10 the old 
adage says4 ,familiarity with the       
bicycle becomes a sort of second nature1
 and a velocipedean1 after a  fair      
amount of experience1 finds himself     
almost as perfectly at home  astride his
 two-wheeler1 as he does on his feet4   
,when ,john ,brent rode his horse across
 the plains in search of  adventure1 the
 era of the two-wheeled velocipede had  
not come upon  us4 ,we think the bicycle
 an animal1 which will1 in a great      
measure1  supersede the horse4 ,it does 

not cost as much2 it will not eat1 kick1
  bite1 get sick1 or die4 ,it requires  
no stabling1 no feed1 no water1 no      
curry-comb4 ,it never 8balks10 or 8rares
 up40 ,it never needs a halter  or a    
harness4 ,it is light1 and little1 and  
leans lovingly against you  for support4
 ,its gait is uniform and easy1         
beautiful and exhilarating  to see1 and 
simple to analyze4 ,it glides along with
 smooth grace1 as  though it were alive4
    ,young ,america is pictured coming  
in on a velocipede4 ,henry ,ward        
,beecher  thinks the coming man will    
ride one1 and we shall not be surprised 
to see his prediction fulfilled1 and    
devout worshippers propelling           
themselves to church on ,sunday with all
 due gravity and decorum4  ,velocipeding
 is a hopeful sign of progress4 ,if that
 man is a benefactor  who makes two     
blades of grass grow where but one grew 
before1 he should  come in for a share  
of praise1 who teaches a man to go ten  
miles as  easily and as quickly as he   

previously went one4 8,time is money20  
and  whatever of it is saved is often so
 much cash4 ,as the velocipede serves   
its purpose in this direction1 it may be
 regarded as a good savings             
institution4    ,we think that decided  
good will grow out of this invention4   
,riding  the velocipede affords         
pleasurable excitement1 which is what   
most men  drink liquor for1 and it      
leaves no sting behind4 ,it takes men   
from the  bar-rooms out into the pure   
air1 into ,god's light and sunshine1 and
  braces their lungs with the very      
breath of ,heaven4 ,it stimulates them  
to save what they would otherwise spend 
foolishly1 that they may invest  it in a
 machine which is a source of health and
 pleasure1 as well as of  utility4 ,it  
is an inducement to young men who work  
in close apartments  to spend more time 
in the open air1 and furnishes them a   
means of  healthful1 invigorating1 and1 
at the same time1 pleasant exercise1    
such  as nothing else can possibly      

afford4    ,serious accidents on the    
velocipede are almost unheard of1 and   
the  predictions that these machines    
would prove dangerous have not been     
verified4 ,it will fall down1 but the   
rider need not fall with it  unless he  
chooses4 ,it is no more dangerous than a
 horse and carriage1  under any         
circumstances1 and not nearly so much   
so1 with ordinary  caution4    ,the     
speed attained by the swifter kind of   
velocipede on the roads1  averages from 
twelve to thirteen miles an hour4 ,on a 
smooth1 level  floor1 such a speed can  
be maintained with but little effort on 
almost  any machine4 ,it is safe to say 
that a good velocipede rider can travel 
a hundred miles as quickly as an        
ordinary horse with an ordinary load4   
,of course1 the more a person rides1 the
 easier it becomes1 and the less  the   
fatigue4    ,in impelling a velocipede1 
the limbs are not constantly in motion2 
for on level ground1 when the impetus is
 at the average rate1 or when  the      

machine is descending an incline1 the   
feet may be removed from  the pedals1   
and the legs be placed on the bar1 fixed
 in front of the  machine for that      
purpose4 ,a slight impulsion to the     
vehicle from time  to time suffices to  
keep up the speed4 ,when a rider        
encounters a  formidable hill1 he can   
dismount and lead his bicycle by the    
hand4 ,he  can do this with almost the  
same ease that he can carry an ordinary 
walking-stick4 ,a hill1 to be           
insurmountable1 has to be1 however1 of  
more than average steepness4 ,though    
,massachusetts is proverbially  hilly1  
there is no ascent between ,boston and  
,worcester1 a distance  of thirty miles1
 that cannot be ridden over with the    
bicycle4  ,the best speed thus far      
attained on the road is a mile in a few 
seconds over three minutes4 ,a gentleman
 in ,new ,jersey1 a few weeks  since1   
travelled fifty miles in four hours and 
a half4 ,a gentleman  residing in #bb;d 
,street1 ,new ,york1 goes down town to  

his business on  his velocipede in      
twelve minutes4 ,adepts abroad find no  
difficulty  whatever in accomplishing   
fully fifty miles in five hours1 without
  once alighting from their vehicles4 ,a
 few months ago1 a couple of  amateurs1 
making a tour through a part of ,france1
 challenged each other  as to which     
could perform the greatest distance in  
four and twenty  hours4 ,one            
accomplished eighty-seven miles1 the    
other one hundred and  twenty-three4 ,a 
party of nine quitted ,rouen early in   
the morning on  their velocipedes1 and  
arrived in ,paris in time for dinner the
 same  evening2 having performed the    
distance of eighty-five miles1 exclusive
  of stoppages1 and at a rate of speed  
averaging between ten and twelve  miles 
an hour4 ,an ,english gentleman         
travelled the distance from ,london  to 
,bristol1 one hundred and thirty-five   
miles1 between the hours of  three      
o'clock1 ,p4 ,m41 one day1 and ten ,a4  
,m4 the next1 stopping some  hours in   

,reading4    ,in ,paris1 the ,americans 
carry off the prizes for slow as well as
 fast  riding4 ,the slow riding is much 
the more difficult4 ,it is much easier  
for the rider to keep his equilibrium   
while riding swiftly4    ,dr4 ,oliver   
,wendell ,holmes once published an      
article in the 8,atlantic  ,monthly10   
entitled 8,the ,human ,wheel2 its       
,spokes and ,felloes20 in which  he     
treated the act of walking as analagous 
to the movement of a wheel3  the legs   
being the spokes and the feet the       
felloes4 ,had he postponed  his humorous
 and instructive essay a year or two1 he
 would have found  himself behind the   
age4    ,it is perhaps not generally    
known to what an extent the bicycle     
mania  prevails1 and how rapidly the    
idea has germinated1 budded1 and        
bloomed1  not only throughout our own   
country1 but in various parts of the    
world4  ,in ,new ,york some ten thousand
 pupils are ready to graduate from the  
schools and appear upon the roads4 ,in  

,boston there will soon be nearly  as   
many more2 while ,philadelphia1         
,chicago1 ,st4 ,louis1 and ,san         
,francisco  count their experts by the  
hundred and their novices by the        
thousand4  ,we hear of the bicycle in   
the far ,west and in ,texas4 ,we read   
that ,new  ,orleans proposes to purchase
 velocipedes for its fire companies1 and
  hear of a velocipede military company 
in ,louisville4 ,we play velocipede     
music1 and in our walks velocipede      
8,livery ,stables0 and 8,velocipedes to 
,let10 greet our eyes4 ,the shop-windows
 on our fashionable thoroughfares       
display ,velocipede ,hats1 ,velocipede  
,gloves1 and ,velocipede ,shoes4    ,the
 machines have become so numerous on the
 sidewalks of ,providence1  ,new        
,bedford1 and other ,new ,england towns1
 that the stunned authorities           
contemplated prohibiting their use1 as a
 nuisance4 ,the various merits  of      
various machines are discussed on the   
street corners with as much  zeal as    

were ever the diversified merits of     
horse-flesh2 and experts  are to be     
heard talking of these new substitutes  
for legs as jockeys  are wont to talk of
 the wind1 strength1 bottom1 gait1 and  
8go0 of  ,eclipses1 ,dexters1 and ,ethan
 ,allens4    ,in ,france1 fashion       
writers and fashion leaders rack their  
brains for  the contrivance of          
velocipede costumes2 velocipede clubs   
are formed2  velocipede championships   
contested for at velocipede tournaments4
  ,there are not less than ten thousand 
machines running in the streets  of     
,paris4 ,they are used by postmen1      
government employees1 students1         
messengers1 and peddlers2 and shopmen   
send their clerks about on  machines    
covered with flashy advertisements4 ,all
 velocipedes there are  required to     
carry lanterns in the evening1 and      
though we have no such  regulations     
here1 young gentlemen may be seen almost
 every night1 in  our cities1 riding    
their velocipedes with head-lights      

attached4    ,in ,paris they can be seen
 driving at break-neck speed along the  
narrow  stone parapet beside the ,seine1
 and even down the hundred steps of the 
,trocadro1 their riders all the time    
indulging in gymnastic feats that  would
 seem to invite certain destruction4 ,at
 ,rome1 gentlemen practice  the bicycle 
in the court-yards1 and are seen riding 
on the ,piazza de  ,spagna4 ,country    
trips are taken upon them in ,japan1 and
 they are no  longer a novelty in the   
streets of the larger ,chinese cities4  
,,patents ,,and ,,the ,,rights ,,of     
,,manufacturers4      ,early in last    
winter1 a great rivalry began to develop
 itself in the  business of             
manufacturing velocipedes2 and the      
demand became so large1  as to lead the 
principal carriage-makers of the country
 into making it  an important branch of 
their business4 ,at that time it was    
generally  understood that any          
manufacturer was at liberty to make the 
two-wheeled  velocipede1 in any way he  

deemed most profitable4    ,when the    
furore first manifested itself1 ,mr4    
,calvin ,witty of  ,broadway1 ,new      
,york1 saw it would be a 8big thing10   
and very quietly  went to work to find  
out in what way the business of making  
the machine  could be controlled4 ,he   
ascertained1 by careful investigation1  
that  a patent had been recorded1       
covering the principal features of the  
bicycle1 now in such popular use4 ,he   
sought out the owners of the  patent1   
found them in moderate circumstances1   
eager to turn to account  rights which  
had heretofore been of but little avail1
 and purchased of  them for a           
comparatively small sum4 ,he now claims 
to hold the right  to the exclusive use 
of the two-wheeled velocipede1 with     
treadle and  guiding arms4 ,this patent1
 however1 does not cover the idea of    
making a  two-wheeled machine1 or of    
applying a propelling power4    ,as soon
 as ,mr4 ,witty had completed his       
arrangements1 he ascertained the  names 

of parties engaged in manufacturing     
velocipedes throughout the  country1 and
 the majority of them were the          
astonished recipients of the  following 
notification3--      8,no4 #fch         
,broadway1 ,n4 ,y41 ,feb4 #c;d1 #ahfi4  
8,you are hereby notified1 that ,letter 
,patent ,no4 #ei1iae1 granted ,nov4     
#bjth1 #ahff1 secures a velocipede with 
the two wheels1 treadle1 and   guiding  
arms2 and that the velocipede you are   
manufacturing is an   infringement upon 
said patent4 ,the present is to require 
you to cease   the further manufacture  
of said velocipede1 and to settle with  
me for   all past infringements of the  
rights under said patent4               
7,signed7                               
8,,calvin ,,witty40    ,the following is
 a copy of the record of the patent1    
registered at the  ,patent ,office in   
,washington3--     8,patent ,no4        
#ei1iae4 ,pierre ,lallement1 ,paris1    
,france1 assignor to   himself and      
,james ,carroll1 ,new ,haven1 ,conn4    

,velocipede4 ,nov4 #bjth1   #ahff4      
8,the fore wheel is axled in the jaws of
 a depending bar which is   riveted in  
the frame1 and turned by a horizontal   
lever bar4 ,this   wheel is revolved by 
a treadle crank4 ,claim3 ,the           
combination and   arrangement of the two
 wheels1 provided with the treadles and 
the   guiding arms1 so as to operate    
substantially1 and for the purpose1     
herein set forth40    ,some             
manufacturers were nonplused by ,mr4    
,witty's warning1 and  stopped their    
work entirely4 ,others paid no attention
 to the demand1  considering the royalty
 required worthy of a trial2 for if it  
could  be proved that a similarly       
constructed velocipede had been         
introduced  into the country before the 
date of application1 the inventor being 
an  alien1 the patent would be void2 or 
it would be rendered null also1 if  the 
patentee had neglected to put into      
market and continue the sale of  the    
invention1 within eighteen months after 

the date of patent4 ,others  still1     
including most of the carriage-makers   
and machinists of note in  the country1 
who had gone into this business1 took   
pains to have legal  advice upon the    
subject4 ,a meeting was finally held by 
them2 and the  result was a             
determination to purchase ,state and    
city rights1 for the  use of his patent1
 of ,mr4 ,witty4    ,we give the names  
of the prominent firms and parties who  
have received  licenses for the         
manufacture and sale of velocipedes1    
under ,patent ,no4  #ei1iae3--    ,wm4  
,p4 ,sargent  ,co41 and ,john ,p4       
,whittier1 ,boston1 ,mass41             
,massachusetts1 ,vermont1 and ,new      
,hampshire1 excepting the cities of ,new
  ,bedford1 ,taunton1 ,fall ,river1 and 
,fair ,haven1 ,mass42 ,kimball ,bros41  
,boston1 for the ,state of ,maine2 ,wood
 ,bros41 ,connecticut1 excepting one    
shop right2 ,pickering  ,davis1 ,new    
,york ,city1 one shop right2 ,mercer    
,monod1 ,new ,york ,city1 one shop      

right2 ,c4 ,merrill and ,sons1          
,brooklyn1  one shop right4 ,g4 ,l4     
,brownell1 ,new ,bedford1 ,mass41 ,new  
,bedford  exclusive2 ,g4 ,c4 ,elliott1  
,providence1 ,r4 ,i41 ,rhode ,island    
exclusive4 ,j4  ,m4 ,quimby1 ,newark1   
,n4 ,j41 ,new ,jersey exclusive4    ,mr4
 ,witty now has his hands full of       
business2 employs three clerks to  write
 for him constantly1 and has fallen upon
 a mine of wealth1 if  he succeeds in   
maintaining the validity of his claim4  
,he charges the  manufacturers ten      
dollars apiece1 royalty1 for every      
machine turned  out4 ,if a maker1       
however1 obtains a license to           
manufacture less than a  hundred1 he    
pays fifteen dollars royalty2 if under  
twenty1 twenty-five  dollars apiece4    
,sargent and ,whittier1 of ,boston1 and 
many others of the manufacturers1  who  
have purchased ,state and town rights1  
have sent out within their  limits      
circulars similar to those of ,mr4      
,witty1 but with the following  ,n4 ,b4 

attached3--     8,those using the       
two-wheeled velocipedes1 not            
manufactured under   a license1 and not 
having the proper stamp1 are also liable
 for   infringement upon said letter    
patent40    ,we present an engraving    
taken from the ,patent ,office ,reports1
 showing  the ,lallement patent of      
#ahff4 ,in this veloce the cranks1 ,f1  
are  points of great interest1 as the   
claim is for the combination of  these  
treadle cranks with the two wheels ,a   
and ,b1 reach ,c1 guiding  arms ,d1 and 
the fork in which the front wheel is    
hung4 ,we attribute  the unpopularity of
 the old dandy-horse to its lack of     
these cranks1  while the great success  
of the modern veloce is due to the crank
  application4 ,in this veloce it will  
be noticed that the reach1 ,c1  extends 
over the rear wheel1 and a ,v brace on  
each side of the wheel  connects the    
axle to the reach4 ,with this style of  
reach or frame1 it  was found very      
difficult to construct a veloce         

sufficiently steady to  run with any    
degree of satisfaction4    ,illustration
    ,there is still another ,new ,york  
patentee1 ,stephen ,w4 ,smith1 who      
claims that the so-called ,french       
,velocipede is an ,american invention1  
perfected in this country1 and          
introduced into ,france by patent1  and 
personally by himself2 and that the idea
 was stolen from him  by the ,french    
manufacturers4 ,he obtained his patent  
in #ahfb1 for a  8cantering propeller0  
for children1 or hobby-horse mounted on 
wheels2  and considers his patent to    
include the combinations used upon all  
velocipedes1 and threatens to prosecute 
infringements4    ,this patent has      
lately been reissued for the purpose of 
widening the  claims and to attempt to  
cover the whole ground occupied by the  
patent  bicycle of ,m4 ,lallement4 ,the 
reissued claim is as follows3--         
8#ast claim1 in combination with a      
saddle-seat for the rider1 the          
employment and use of a cranked axle1   

arms1 and foot-rest1 so arranged   that 
the power applied by the feet of the    
rider shall give motion to   the        
vehicle1 substantially as described and 
specified4     8#b4 ,the combination of 
the following elements1 namely1 a       
saddle-seat   for the rider1 a cranked  
axle1 for propelling the vehicle by     
power   applied by the feet of the      
rider1 and a steering mechanism so      
constructed that the direction of travel
 of the vehicle may be   governed by the
 rider1 substantially as described and  
specified4     8#c4 ,the universal      
joint1 in combination with the fulcrum  
of   the vehicle1 and the steering      
wheel1 constructed and operating        
substantially as1 and for1 the purposes 
specified4     8#d4 ,the hinged legs in 
combination with the body of the horse1 
and   with the cranks substantially as  
and for the purposes specified4     8#e4
 ,the foot-rests upon the arms1         
substantially as and for the   purposes 
specified4     8#f4 ,the double-armed   

levers1 and diagonal cords1 in          
combination   with the handle and       
steering wheel1 substantially as        
described and   specified40    ,the     
first and second claims are intended to 
embrace1 and do embrace1  as far as     
words can accomplish it1 the essential  
elements of the  velocipede now in use4 
,it remains to be determined by the     
courts how  far the rival claimants     
clash with each other4 ,the             
manufacturers have  as yet paid but very
 little attention to the demands of ,mr4
 ,smith4    ,in #ahfg1 the ,hanlon      
,brothers devised an improved style of  
reach1  consisting of a bifurcated bar1 
or fork1 in the jaws of which the hind  
wheel is allowed to revolve2 while the  
single end of this fork forms  part of  
the swivel1 over the front wheel4 ,not  
yet satisfied with this  veloce1 on     
account of the difficulty they found in 
using the same  machine for their       
in-door performances1 and out-door      
exhibitions1  they had the saddle       

arranged so as to be enabled to vary its
 position  nearer to1 or farther from1  
the front wheel1 and at the same time   
had  slots made in the cranks1 so that  
the treadle might be adjusted to        
various lengths4 ,the alterations were  
found to be of such benefit1  that      
application for a patent covering these 
improvements was made by  them1 and     
granted by the ,patent ,office4 ,we know
 of no velocipedes now  being made in   
this country1 which do not include in   
their construction  all these late      
improvements1 and the ,hanlons are also 
notifying  manufacturers of the         
existence of their claims4    ,the      
,patent powers in ,washington are       
literally overwhelmed with  applications
 for patents of different models of     
these articles4 ,in a  large room in the
 ,patent ,office1 there are some four   
hundred of these  models awaiting       
investigation4 ,over eighty models have 
already been  examined and patents for  
them issued2 others are now under       

examination4  ,some hundred caveats or  
notices that patents will be applied for
 have  been lately filed4 ,in one week  
eighty applications and caveats were    
received4 ,one single agency in ,new    
,york city has lately prepared  seventy 
patents for improvements4               
,,hints ,,to ,,purchasers4      ,there  
is a very general complaint of the high 
prices maintained by the  manufacturers 
of velocipedes1 and it is claimed that  
they are pocketing  immense receipts1 at
 the expense of an excited and          
incautious public4  ,though there is no 
doubt that they can be manufactured at  
prices much  below those at which the   
best machines are now held1 and still   
yield  a handsome profit1 a reduction in
 price will not be probable so long  as 
the demand so far exceeds the supply4   
,and now that it is found that  the     
machine is patented1 we will not have   
the so much wished for cheap            
velocipede1 which would assuredly have  
followed the competition that  had      

commenced1 before it was known that one 
man only held the exclusive  right to   
their manufacture4    ,but it must be   
remembered that as long as materials and
 labor are so  dear1 the cost of        
manufacture must necessarily be great4  
,a manufacturer  requires draughtsmen to
 design his improvements1 pattern-makers
  to prepare models for the foundry1    
blacksmiths to do the forging1          
wheelwrights for the wheels1 machinists 
to turn and fit the work1  foundry-men  
to cast the pedals and braces1          
bolt-makers to make the  rivets and     
bolts1 saddlers to prepare the seats1   
and painters and  varnishers to finish  
the machine for the wareroom4 ,the wear 
and tear  in the ordinary use of the    
velocipede is so great as to require the
  very best of material in its          
construction4 ,there is no other kind of
  vehicle which receives such severe    
usage4 ,the weight of the rider and  the
 concussions of the road are not only   
borne by two wheels1 but  the necessity 

of giving the fore wheel a sidewise     
motion1 render it  indispensable to     
connect the two by a frame1 whose       
peculiar form and  character make it    
exceedingly liable to be deranged and   
broken4 ,this  frame and its appendages 
must be of wrought iron1 steel1 and     
brass1 and  all its work must be of the 
best quality1 or else the machine will  
soon  get out of order and become       
useless4 ,the fittings of the two       
wheels1  their axles and their journals1
 must also be of the best workmanship4  
,the same is true of the wheels         
themselves4 ,no wood that is not        
perfectly seasoned should be used for   
them2 and the hubs1 spokes1 and  felloes
 must be built with the utmost care and 
thoroughness2 otherwise  they will soon 
become wabbling and unsteady1 so that   
speed and comfort  will be out of the   
question4    ,the price of a good       
machine will not fall much below a      
hundred  dollars1 until there is a      
general decline in the price of all     

sorts of  commodities4    ,we advise the
 purchaser1 by all means1 to get a good 
machine4 ,it is  now possible to buy    
cheap velocipedes2 and they will1 no    
doubt1 be  manufactured much cheaper1   
and yet be dear at any price4 ,the best 
are  none too good1 and are certainly   
worth more than the difference4    ,the 
hall velocipedes are1 for the most part1
 slim affairs2 the frame  made entirely 
of cast iron1 without metal gearings1   
brakes1 or springs1  and useful only for
 floors4 ,it is uncomfortable for the   
rider to go  over roughnesses without   
springs1 and a well-built machine is    
required  to stand the jar of uneven    
roads4    ,it is no better policy to    
purchase a cheap velocipede1 than a     
cheap  ready-made shoe or other article 
of clothing4    ,it is a prevalent but  
erroneous idea1 that the larger the     
bicycle1 the  greater the beauty and the
 greater the speed4 ,a machine with a   
front  wheel of a diameter of forty     
inches1 is the largest that can possibly

  be rendered practicable4 ,thirty-eight
 inches is much better2 and good  riders
 prefer that of but thirty-six or       
thirty-seven inches diameter  for the   
road4    ,before purchasing any machine1
 especially the cheaper ones1 examine   
them thoroughly2 or if not a judge of   
good mechanical workmanship1 ask  a     
friend to do it for you4 ,many defects  
are concealed by the coatings  of paint1
 particularly in the castings and       
forgings2 and a machine that  is weak in
 any point1 is a dangerous one in fast  
riding4 ,be sure that  every bolt is    
properly secured by nuts that cannot be 
shaken off2 they  should be riveted into
 the bolt1 as they will soon work loose 
if not so  fastened4 ,the crank should  
never be keyed into the shaft1 but      
fastened  on to a square head2 or1 what 
is better1 shrunk into the shaft4       
,the ingenious way of supporting        
lanterns on the machine1 is a waste  of 
time and expense2 better some kind of   
clamps to secure a light  umbrella in   

front1 when the sun shines hot1 or it   
rains2 and clamps for  fastening a      
travelling bag or shawl in the rear1    
particularly if one  looks forward to   
country excursions and summer trips4    
,,advice ,,to ,,the ,,beginner4      ,to
 those who have never seen the          
two-wheeled velocipede in use1 it  seems
 surprising that the rider can keep his 
equilibrium4 ,the principle  of the     
thing is the same as that of the        
movement of a boy's hoop4 ,as  long as  
the hoop revolves rapidly1 its tendency 
to any lateral movement  is almost      
suspended1 and the greater the speed the
 less the difficulty  in maintaining the
 upright position4    ,at first sight   
one supposes it to be a formidable      
undertaking to mount  and steer the     
bicycle4 ,to learn to manage it1        
however1 requires no more  skill1       
courage1 or patience1 than to learn the 
art of skating2 and  when the art is    
once acquired1 it provides a means of   
locomotion and a  source of enjoyment as

 much more available than skating1 as   
the number  of days in the year is      
greater than the few bright mornings    
when one  can find a smooth1 glassy1 and
 well-frozen skating ground4            
8,velocipedestrianism0 is fully the     
equal of skating and horseback  riding1 
in its invigorating and exhilarating    
effects4 ,the velocipede  bears young   
and old1 light and heavy1 easily and    
pleasantly and with  equal facility4    
,in learning the velocipede1 it is      
advisable to use a machine of only      
moderate height1 so that the soles of   
the feet can readily touch the  ground4 
,at the best school we know1 where the  
pupils graduate experts1  six different 
sizes of machines are used4 ,the        
beginner is put upon one  with a guiding
 wheel of a diameter of only thirty-four
 inches1 and is  promoted from one to   
another1 according to progress4    ,at  
first start1 run beside the iron horse1 
leading it by the hand1 so  as to       
familiarize yourself with its movements1

 and to master well in  your mind the   
idea of the fore wheel1 upon which all  
depends4 ,this will  be an affair of but
 a few moments only4 ,you will very     
readily perceive  that it will be       
impossible to balance upon the machine1 
while it is  standing still4 ,you will  
also see that1 without practice1 it will
 be  an impossibility to mount the iron 
horse1 and balance yourself upon  the   
seat1 while it is in motion4 ,both these
 facts lead you to perceive  that motion
 is the first requisite4 ,to get that1  
and at the same time  maintain          
equilibrium1 you must first use your    
feet on the floor or  ground as a means 
of progression1 learning1 as you move1  
to balance  yourself by the motion of   
the guide wheel1 to the right or left1  
whichever way you may lean4    ,if      
out-of-doors1 it is as well to practice 
on a slope2 and after  mounting1 let the
 machine move forward of its own accord1
 while you  occupy yourself studying the
 effect produced by the inclination     

which  you give to the balancing pole or
 handle4 ,after you have practiced      
enough to admit of your going some      
little way without touching your  feet1 
learn to go the same distance with your 
legs raised1 so as  to bring the centre 
of gravity higher from the base4 ,when  
you have  overcome this difficulty and  
thoroughly understand the action of the 
balancing pole1 place one foot on the   
pedal1 and follow its movements1        
without assisting them4 ,then try the   
other foot1 and accustom yourself  to   
the movement of turning the wheels with 
your feet4 ,next1 put both  feet upon   
the pedals1 and work them alternately   
with scrupulous  regularity4 ,speed is  
attained by simply accelerating this    
movement4  ,you will be surprised to    
find that you can1 all at once1 ride    
your  velocipede4 ,after a couple of    
hours of proper practice1 you will be   
able to accomplish a distance of thirty 
or forty yards1 without running  the    
risk of an upset4    ,in learning1 be   

careful to keep the shoulders straight  
and the head  back4 ,an erect position  
upon the bicycle is as necessary for    
grace and  ease1 as upon the horse4     
,avoid looking at the wheels1 but       
accustom  yourself to look ahead4       
,confidence in your own ability is      
required1 without rashness4 ,if  you    
practice in a public hall1 pay no       
attention to the laughter of            
spectators1 and avoid                   
self-consciousness4 ,if you feel that no
 one was  ever so clumsy before1 the    
feeling itself will be sure to increase 
your awkwardness4 ,remember that all    
good riders have necessarily been       
through the same experience4 ,it is no  
disgrace to upset your vehicle4  ,molire
 says3 8,on peut tre honnte homme et    
faire mal des vers40    ,take things as 
easy as possible4 ,the greatest         
difficulty with beginners  is to        
restrain the unnecessary expenditure of 
muscular power4 ,they  ordinarily       
perform ten times the amount of labor   

requisite4 ,they use  all the force they
 can1 in pressing upon the pedals1 and  
clasp the  handle in front1 as if       
hanging on for dear life4 ,do not strain
 the  muscles of the arms4 ,there is no 
necessity for it1 or for any violent    
muscular effort4 ,a good rider can      
obtain the greatest speed upon the  road
 with half the exertion used by the     
novice in learning the first  movements4
    ,if the day after your first attempt
 you feel a little lame and sore1       
remember that it is nothing more than   
you would feel after riding  horseback  
for the first time1 or after taking     
gentle but unaccustomed  exercise in a  
gymnasium4    ,if you finish your first 
trial covered with dust and             
perspiration1  with a bumped head1      
jammed feet1 tired arms1 and sore       
muscles1 let  your faith remain         
triumphant1 and your determination and  
expectation  to master the vehicle      
increased4 ,but with proper caution     
there is no  danger either of falls or  

hurt in using the velocipede in the way 
we  have advised4 ,the pedal is         
constructed so that the foot of the     
rider  can at once leave it2 and should 
the machine incline to one side1 it  is 
only necessary to remove the foot from  
the same side1 and place it  on the     
ground4 ,one must not let the handles   
go2 they seem to restore  and maintain  
the balance of the machine after the    
rider is off it4  ,in alighting1 both   
feet should be raised from the pedal at 
the same  instant1 which slackens the   
speed of the machine1 and placed upon   
the  ground simultaneously4    ,if you  
learn in a school or rink1 you will find
 a rough pine floor  much the best for  
practice4 ,floors that are sprinkled    
with sawdust1 or  sanded1 are apt to    
cause the machine to slip in turning4   
,in your first practice1 avoid trying   
experiments1 or doing too much2  but    
watch your position in the saddle1 and  
perfect yourself in the  balance        
movement4 ,after that is perfectly      

learned1 try to ride slowly1  and       
practice with your feet upon the rest in
 front4 ,it will of course  require much
 experience before you are able to dash 
along the paved  streets or country     
roads1 or to try the tricks and fancy   
movements of  an expert4 ,perseverance1 
however1 makes perfect2 and if you      
persist1  you will be able1 in due time1
 to ride side-saddle fashion1 to pick   
up your hat from the floor1 to take off 
your coat while going at full  speed1   
and even to stand upon the saddle4 ,some
 learn to ride in three  hours1 some in 
three days1 and occasionally we hear of 
a timid and  stupid scholar1 for whom   
three months will scarcely suffice4 ,it 
depends  upon the machine1 the method of
 going to work1 and the quickness and   
adaptability of the rider4 ,the         
knowledge often comes suddenly4 ,we have
  seen those who have tried to learn for
 days without success1 suddenly  mount  
their veloces and start around a hall1  
astonished at the ease  with which they 

maintained their balance1 and looking as
 pleased as  if they had accomplished   
the object of their existence4 ,a few   
hours'  practice usually makes a student
 quite the master of ceremonies4    ,as 
soon as you have acquired the knowledge1
 you will wonder how  amateurs can be so
 awkward1 and be surprised that you     
found it so  difficult4    ,should the  
velocipede upon which you learn be too  
high to practice in  the way we have    
indicated1 you should have some one hold
 the machine  for the first trial1 the  
hands upon the back extremity of the bar
 upon  which you sit1 so as to in no way
 impede the action of the fore wheel4   
,to those who wish to learn1 we would   
especially suggest the spring1  fall1   
and winter months4 ,it is too warm to   
learn in summer1 that being  the season 
to reap the reward of early exertion4   
,velocipede riding is  the easiest thing
 imaginable when one knows how to ride  
properly4          ,,construction ,,of  
,,the ,,bicycle4      ,the accompanying 

engraving will convey to the mind of the
 reader a  correct idea of the ,french  
two-wheeled velocipede4 ,the majority of
  makers in this country fashion their  
machine upon this pattern in every      
essential respect4 ,we append a full    
technical description4    ,illustration 
,a is the front wheel4 ,this is the     
steering wheel1  and upon its axis the  
power is applied4 ,b is the hind wheel2 
,c1 the  treadles or foot-pieces2 ,d1   
the treadle cranks2 ,e1 slots in cranks1
  by which to adjust the foot-pieces and
 accommodate the length to the  legs of 
the rider2 ,f1 bifurcated jaw1 the lower
 part of which forms the  bearing for   
the axle of the front wheel4 ,from the  
upper part of this  jaw a rod or pivot  
extends1 to which is attached the       
steering arm or  handle ,f2 ,g1 the     
reach or perch1 extending from the jaw  
of the front  wheel to the rear or hind 
wheel4 ,this reach is bifurcated1       
forming  jaws for the hind wheel4 ,h1   
8rests0 on the front part of the reach4 

,the rider puts one leg on the rest and 
works one of the cranks with  the other 
leg while riding 8side-saddle10 or a leg
 may be placed upon  each rest when the 
velocipede has acquired sufficient      
momentum1 and the  rider does not wish  
to keep his feet upon the treadles4 ,i1 
the saddle  or seat1 which is adjustable
 on the seat-spring ,l1 by the          
thumb-screw  ,k4 ,the seat-spring ,l1 is
 attached at ,m to the reach ,g1 which1 
at the  other end1 is fastened to the   
spring-struts ,n1 that rise from the    
reach ,g2 ,o1 the brake-lever1 on the   
fulcrum ,p2 ,q1 the 8shoe0 of the  brake
 that acts against the periphery of the 
hind wheel4 ,the brake is  operated by  
means of the cord ,s1 one end of which  
is attached to the  steering handle ,f1 
and the other end to the reach at #c4 ,a
 cord passes  from the steering handle  
under the pulley or roller #d1 thence   
over the  pulley #e1 on the brake-lever 
,o1 and from there to the point #c1     
where it  is attached to the reach ,g4  

,the brake is operated by giving a      
slight  turning motion to the handle ,f1
 thus winding a small sheave upon the   
axis of the handle1 and bringing the    
shoe ,q1 of the brake-lever ,o1 in      
contact with the surface of the wheel   
,b4          ,,varieties ,,of ,,the     
,,bicycle4      ,the best two-wheeled   
velocipedes manufactured in this        
country1 are  those of ,messrs4         
,pickering  ,davis1 ,wood ,brothers1    
,mercer  ,monod1 and  ,calvin ,witty1   
,new ,york ,city2 and ,william ,p4      
,sargent  ,co41 and ,kimball  ,brothers1
 ,boston1 ,mass4      ,illustration     
,,wood ,,brothers' ,,velocipede4    ,the
 ,wood ,brothers1 of #eif ,broadway1    
,new ,york1 decided at the  commencement
 of the furore in this country1 to make 
the manufacture  of velocipedes an      
important branch of their business4     
,they made  thorough and personal       
investigation of the many styles used   
abroad1 and  selected the patents of    
,messrs4 ,michaux  ,co41 as being the   

one most  in favor with experts there4  
,the ,wood ,brothers' velocipede1 though
 very similar to the ,french  machine1  
is made of better material1 with steel  
tires and axles1 and  with gun-metal    
gearings upon the rear wheel4 ,this     
machine combines  in a great degree     
lightness and durability4 ,it weighs    
from fifty to  fifty-eight pounds1 and  
if required1 can easily be led1 lifted1 
or even  carried by the rider4 ,the seat
 is fixed more directly over the        
stirrups  than in some machines1 and at 
such a height above the wheels as to    
avoid wear and tear of the clothing from
 contact with mud and dirt1  and the    
driving wheel in turning4 ,the stirrups 
are attached in such a  manner to the   
crank1 that they can be adjusted near   
the hub or axle1  giving speed on level 
roads2 or they can be placed at the end 
of the  crank1 giving power and ease for
 rough roads and ascending grades4 ,two 
kinds of stirrups are used2 the 8spool  
pattern10 entirely round1 and  covered  

with leather1 making it easy for the    
beginner to keep his foot  in place2 and
 the ,french swing stirrup1 which is for
 proficient riders  and general use4    
,this latter style has a very long      
bearing1 relieving  the strain on the   
ankle joint1 and making it easy to ride 
a distance  without fatigue4    ,this   
bicycle has a brake1 rests for the feet 
in front1 and a handsomely  finished    
saddle1 supported by steel springs4 ,it 
will ascend a grade of  one foot in     
twenty4 ,the price is #ace4    ,the     
,wood ,brothers have in their possession
 the first velocipede ever  brought into
 this country4 ,when first exhibited on 
the sidewalk in  front of their         
warerooms1 it attracted such attention  
that the police  requested them to      
remove it4 ,they have just completed for
 a ,new ,york  gentleman1 at a price of 
#cjj1 one of the most completely        
finished  velocipedes yet manufactured  
in ,america4      ,,the ,,monod         
,,velocipede4    ,messrs4 ,mercer       

,monod1 of #ed ,william ,street1 ,new   
,york1 manufacture  their velocipedes   
after a model of their own1 which has   
its advantages1  and embraces many of   
the best points of the ,french machine4 
,the steering post is inclined backward1
 which brings the handle within  easy   
reach of the body1 and the whole machine
 under perfect control2  and gives it a 
particularly rakish and natty appearance
 upon the road4  ,the saddle can be     
adjusted backward or forward1 according 
to the length  of limb of the rider4    
,messrs4 ,mercer  ,monod use the        
triangular beveled treadle and an       
improved brake4 ,the defect of this     
machine is its weight1 which is  about  
seventy pounds4 ,some riders1 however1  
prefer a heavier machine  than others1  
and recommend the ,monod velocipede on  
this account4    ,a good rider on this  
machine can obtain a speed of ten or    
twelve miles  an hour4 ,it varies in    
price from #aaj to #aej1 according to   
finish4    ,these gentlemen have lately 

manufactured some very complete machines
  for country use1 with shawl rack1 mud 
dasher1 etc4      ,,witty',s            
,,velocipede4    ,calvin ,witty1 of #fch
 ,broadway1 ,new ,york1 models his      
velocipedes almost  entirely after those
 of ,messrs4 ,michaux  ,co4 ,when he    
commenced their  manufacture1 he tried  
by various experiments to improve upon  
the  original patent4 ,most of his      
attempts proved unsuccessful4 ,among    
other  proposed improvements1 he        
endeavored to apply the brake to the    
front  wheel1 but found that it would   
stop the machine on the instant1 and    
throw the rider headlong2 and that such 
a brake1 though suitable for a          
steam-engine1 could not be rendered     
practicable upon a velocipede4    ,these
 machines are made of wrought iron1 with
 brakes1 springs1 improved  saddle1 and 
gun-metal bearings4 ,as ,mr4 ,witty has 
the exclusive right  of ,m4 ,lallement's
 patent upon the two-wheeled velocipede1
 he can  afford to manufacture at a     

somewhat cheaper rate than those who are
  obliged to pay a royalty4 ,his        
bicycles range in price from #ij to     
#acj4    ,mr4 ,witty's first machines   
were not so good as some of other       
manufacturers1 but he has lately        
improved upon them4 ,they are a little  
heavier than those of ,messrs4 ,sargent 
,co41 ,pickering  ,davis1 and  ,wood    
,brothers1 but equal to any in          
durability and finish4    ,mr4 ,witty is
 at present constructing a velocipede   
which he anticipates  will run a mile in
 one minute and twenty seconds1 or      
faster than any  trotting-horse can ever
 be expected to go2 the driving wheel is
 to be  so constructed that it will     
revolve three times while the treadles  
are  once making their circuit4         
,,pickering',s ,,american ,,velocipede4 
,as will be seen from the accompanying  
engraving1 8,pickering's ,american      
,velocipede10 manufactured by ,messrs4  
,pickering  ,davis1 #add ,greene        
,street1 ,new ,york1 differs very       

materially from the ,french model1 so   
generally used by other manufacturers4  
,it is claimed that it is more  simple  
and durable1 lighter and stronger4      
,illustration    ,the reach or frame of 
this velocipede is made of hydraulic    
tubing4  ,the gun-metal bearings are so 
attached that1 when worn1 they may  be  
replaced by others1 which are           
interchangeable like the parts of       
sewing-machines and fire-arms4 ,the axle
 is so constructed as to  constitute1 in
 itself1 an oil box4 ,it is made        
tubular1 and closed at  either end with 
a screw1 on the removal of which it is  
filled with lard  oil4 ,cotton lamp-wick
 is placed loosely in the tubular axle  
and the  oil is by this means fed to the
 bearing1 as fast as required1 through  
the small holes made for the purpose in 
the centre of the axle4 ,the  saddle is 
supported on a spiral spring1 giving an 
elastic seat2 it  is brought well back1 
so that the rider maintains an erect    
position1  and is adjustable to suit the

 length of limb of the rider4 ,the      
tiller  or steering handle is           
constructed with a spring1 so that the  
hands  are relieved from the jolting    
that they would otherwise receive  while
 running over rough ground4 ,the        
stirrups or crank pedals1 are           
three-sided1 with circular flanges at   
each end1 fitted to turn on the  crank  
pins1 so that the pressure of the foot  
will always bring one of  the three     
sides into proper position4 ,they are so
 shaped as to allow  of the use of the  
fore part of the foot1 bringing the     
ankle joint into  play1 relieving the   
knee1 and rendering propulsion easier   
than when the  shank of the foot alone  
is used4 ,the connecting apparatus      
differs from  that of the ,french       
vehicle in that the saddle bar serves   
only as a seat  and brake1 and is not   
attached to the rear wheel4 ,by a simple
 pressure  forward against the tiller1  
and a backward pressure against the tail
 of  the saddle1 the saddle spring is   

compressed1 and the brake attached to   
it brought firmly down against the      
wheel4    ,messrs4 ,pickering  ,davis   
have a large manufactory1 and are the   
constant recipients of orders from all  
parts of the country4 ,mr4  ,pickering  
has always been a practical machinist1  
and personally  superintends the        
structure of each machine turned out4   
,a rider upon the ,pickering velocipede 
can average ten or twelve miles  an     
hour4 ,on good roads they have been     
ridden1 for short distances1  at the    
rate of eighteen miles an hour4 ,it is  
claimed that they will  easily ascend a 
grade of from one foot in twenty to one 
in fifteen4    ,the price varies from   
#aaj to #aee4 ,a very complete1 finely  
finished  one1 can be bought for #aej4  
,this is an expensive machine2 but many 
connoisseurs think its advantages over  
other bicycles fully merit the  small   
difference in price4 ,many experts use  
it altogether for fancy  riding1 and    
many who have tried all kinds upon the  

road1 think this  much to be preferred4 
,,sargent ,,velocipede4    ,wm4 ,p4     
,sargent  ,co41 of #aee ,tremont        
,street1 ,boston1 have many  excellent  
facilities1 in connection with their    
extensive works for the  construction of
 pleasure carriages1 for the manufacture
 of velocipedes4  ,they foresaw the     
furore that would arise in this country 
before its  commencement1 and made early
 preparations to engage largely in the  
manufacture of the ,parisian novelty4   
,their machines are made upon the       
,french plan1 with all the ,american    
improvements1 in form1 material1 and    
thoroughness of construction4 ,they  are
 very similar to those made by the ,wood
 ,brothers1 but have important  merits  
of their own4 ,the hind wheel turns on  
the axle bar1 preventing  the friction  
upon the bearing1 as in other machines  
in which the axle  turns with the wheel4
 ,the neck of the machine is wrought in 
one piece1  and the head of the swivel  
in the neck is of wrought iron1 square  

in  shape4 ,the fork of the steering bar
 is of wrought iron also1 instead  of   
the cast brass usually used4 ,this makes
 a delicate part of the  machine very   
durable1 for it is a rule in mechanics  
that one metal will  act upon itself    
with less friction than upon another    
kind of metal4  ,the best workmen are   
employed and the best material used4    
,the tires  and axles are of the finest 
steel1 and the bearings of the finest   
gun-metal4 ,the saddle is adjustable and
 can be readily moved backward  or      
forward4    ,messrs4 ,sargent  ,co4 use 
both the three-sided beveled and the    
swing  treadle1 either of which always  
present a surface to the foot1 so that  
after mounting or removing the foot     
temporarily1 no time is lost in         
replacing it4    ,they have made every  
effort to construct a light1 noiseless1 
steady-running1 completely-finished1 and
 perfect machine4 ,their price  is from 
#aaj to #aej4    ,messrs4 ,sargent  ,co4
 also manufacture a cheaper machine1    

without  springs1 much like those       
manufactured by ,mr4 ,brownell of ,new  
,bedford4  ,this machine is sold for    
#ee1 and is used with satisfaction in   
halls  and rinks4    ,mr4 ,sargent has  
on hand in his warerooms a large        
assortment of  machines of other        
manufacturers1 including those of ,wood 
,brothers1  ,mercer  ,monod1 and        
,pickering  ,davis4      ,,kimball',s   
,,velocipede4    ,messrs4 ,kimball      
,brothers  ,co41 of #aaj1 #aab1 and #aad
 ,sudbury ,street1  ,boston1 secured the
 first license granted in this country  
under the  ,lallement patent1 giving    
them the exclusive right to manufacture 
in  ,maine1 and the liberty of selling  
throughout the ,united ,states4 ,they   
have long enjoyed a high reputation for 
elegant sleighs and carriages1  and at  
their commencement of the manufacture of
 velocipedes1 determined  to maintain   
their reputation in this new and        
important branch of their  business4    
,their velocipedes are also patterned   

from those of ,messrs4  ,michaux  ,co41 
with such improvements as are in use    
with the best  manufacturers4    ,the   
frames of these machines are of wrought 
iron and steel1 with  composition and   
gun-metal bearings1 steel levers1 and   
axles1 and  superior saddles4 ,even into
 the lowest priced machines1 they put   
the  best stock in every part4 ,messrs4 
,kimball ,brothers' velocipedes vary  in
 price from #ge to #age1 according to   
style and finish4 ,the most  expensive  
are furnished with mud fenders1 lamps1  
and silver-plated  brakes4 ,a very fine 
one can be obtained for #ace4 ,their    
cheaper  bicycles are1 without doubt1 as
 good as any in the market4 ,they are   
light1 durable1 built of wrought iron1  
and furnished with springs4      ,the   
,new ,england manufacturers of          
two-wheeled velocipedes1 next in        
prominence to ,messrs4 ,sargent         
,kimball1 are ,william ,h4 ,brownell    
,co41  of ,new ,bedford1 ,george ,e4    
,elliott1 of ,providence1 and ,messrs4  

,dalzell   ,sons1 of ,south ,egremont4  
,william ,h4 ,brownell  ,co41 of ,new   
,bedford1 manufacture only the cheaper  
kind of velocipedes4 ,the frame or      
reach1 which curves over the rear       
wheel1 is built of wrought iron4 ,the   
machine is without springs or  metal    
gearings4 ,this is used almost          
exclusively in the ,new ,england        
schools and rinks2 and for the use of   
the beginner1 or on smooth  floors1     
gives merited satisfaction4 ,it is not  
as suitable for the road1  or as easy   
for the rider1 as the more expensive    
machines1 which are  furnished with     
springs1 brakes1 and rests for the feet4
 ,but for those  who wish to have a     
bicycle1 with as small an expenditure as
 possible1  this machine will answer as 
well as any that we know4 ,it is firm   
and  durable1 moderately light1 and does
 not get easily out of repair4          
,messrs4 ,brownell  ,co4 have sold      
#dj1jjj worth of machines in the last   
three months1 and the demand is far     

greater than the supply4 ,they are  as  
heavily engaged in the business as any  
manufacturers in the country4  ,the     
price varies from #gj to #ij4 ,a good   
machine of ,mr4 ,brownell's make  can be
 obtained for #ge4           99       99
       99       99       99    ,george  
,c4 ,elliott1 of ,providence1 has       
purchased a license under the           
,lallement patent1 for the exclusive    
manufacture of the two-wheeled          
velocipede in ,rhode ,island4 ,he       
combines the ,french machine with the   
usual ,american improvements4 ,the      
prices are the same as are demanded  for
 other good machines4    ,those who have
 used ,mr4 ,elliott's bicycles claim    
that they are the  equal of any         
manufactured4           99       99     
99       99       99    ,messrs4        
,dalzell  ,sons1 of ,south ,egremont1   
,massachusetts1 manufacture a           
velocipede which has many of the merits 
of that of the ,wood ,brothers4  ,their 
velocipede works are at ,hudson1 ,n4    

,y41 and there is a steadily  increasing
 demand for their machines4 ,the prices 
vary from #abe to #aej4           99    
99       99       99       99    ,g4 ,f4
 ,perkins  ,co41 of ,haydenville1       
,mass41 advertise to furnish a          
velocipede with steel springs for #dj4  
,we do not know that their  machine has 
been fairly tested4 ,we have never seen 
it in use1 and are  unable to speak of  
its merits4 ,among the latest improved  
machines1  is one manufactured by       
,messrs4 ,tomlinson1 ,demarest1  ,co41  
,no4 #fbj  ,broadway1 ,new ,york4 ,it is
 called the 8,improved ,american        
,velocipede10  and differs from styles  
best known to the public in important   
respects4  ,it is the recipient of many 
encomiums from those who have learned to
  ride it4    ,the iron arms1 between   
which the front wheel is held1 are      
inclined  back at an angle of forty-five
 degrees from the perpendicular1 which  
inclination brings the seat in such a   
relative position to the fore  wheel1   

that a man of medium height can1 with   
his feet1 reach the  treadles of one of 
these velocipedes1 the front wheel of   
which is  forty-five inches in diameter1
 with as much ease as he can those of   
the  ordinary velocipede1 the fore wheel
 of which is of a diameter seven or     
eight inches smaller4 ,this peculiarity 
gives likewise great facility  in       
describing sharp curves and circles of  
small diameter1 the body  being inclined
 in the direction in which the rider    
wishes to propel  himself1 and in the   
direction in which the driving wheel is 
inclined4  ,those who have become expert
 in the use of this new machine1 claim  
that  the movement of the body in       
propelling and guiding it1 is more      
nearly  analogous to that of skating1   
than is employed in controlling the     
ordinary bicycle4 ,indeed1 they claim   
that it can be guided by the mere       
inclination of the body without         
perceptibly varying the pressure upon   
the handles to the one side or the      

other4    ,the peculiar rakish          
arrangement of the standard1 prevents   
the usual  jar to the guiding arms in   
going over rough ground and pavements1  
and  allows the wheel to turn without   
soiling the pantaloons4 ,it is claimed  
that this machine can be driven at great
 speed1 and up steep grades4            
99       99       99       99       99  
,messrs4 ,pearsall ,brothers1 of ,new   
,york1 have patented a bicycle which  is
 so constructed that the rear wheel is  
used as a guiding wheel4 ,this  machine 
will turn a quick corner1 and can be    
ridden rapidly4 ,its price  is #abe4    
99       99       99       99       99  
,stephen ,w4 ,smith1 of #ij ,william    
,street1 ,new ,york1 manufactures a     
velocipede for boys1 with a guiding     
wheel twenty inches in diameter1  for   
#be4 ,the saddle of this machine is so  
wide that but little  balancing power is
 requisite1 and any child can easily    
learn to ride it4      ,,the ,,dexter   
,,bicycle4    ,the ,dexter bicycle only 

differs from other two-wheeled machines 
in one  respect4 ,this1 however1 is     
quite important4 ,by a simple and       
effective  device1 it admits of an      
instantaneous connection and            
disconnection  of the crank with the    
axle of the driving wheel1 keeping the  
treadles  stationary or in motion1 at   
the will of the rider1 while the wheel  
continues to revolve4 ,ordinarily1 in   
obtaining a high rate of speed  on a    
velocipede1 the rapidity of the         
revolution of the crank becomes  too    
great to be followed by the movement of 
the feet1 except at the  expenditure of 
too much exertion4 ,this difficulty is  
wholly obviated by  ,mr4 ,dexter4 ,a    
continuous and uniform rate of speed may
 be kept up with  his machine without   
fatiguing the rider4      ,,the         
,,chicago ,,velocipede4    ,this        
velocipede is manufactured by ,messrs4  
,loring  ,keene1 of ,chicago1           
,illinois1 and has become very popular  
in that city and throughout the  ,west4 

,it is a light machine1 somewhat similar
 to that of ,pickering   ,davis4 ,the   
saddle is upon a spiral spring1 is not  
connected with the  rear wheel1 and     
serves as a seat and brake4 ,the        
manufacturers claim  that it will ascend
 a grade of one foot in eighteen1 and   
that it  can be driven at great speed4  
,its price is #acj4 ,d4 ,w4 ,gosling1 of
  ,cincinnati1 ,ohio1 has been engaged  
for some months in the manufacture  of a
 velocipede upon the ,franco-,american  
plan4 ,he claims that his  bicycle is   
equal to any other1 both in durability  
and fine workmanship4    ,there is      
another manufactory in ,cincinnati1     
which turns out sixteen  hundred        
velocipedes per week1 that are sold at  
#ce each4 ,these machines  are of the   
poorest possible workmanship and        
material4    ,there are large numbers of
 bicycles in the market which are both  
unsafe and dangerous1 and which the     
makers push into unsuspecting  hands by 
offering them at much reduced rates4    

,many portions of these  which should be
 of wrought iron1 are made of cast iron1
 of course  attractively painted4       
,nothing should be cast about the metal 
works of a  velocipede except the       
brasses4    ,a bad machine carefully    
kept1 may1 perhaps1 last longer than a  
good  machine very badly managed4 ,it   
should be the ambition of a good rider1 
however1 to have a good machine1 kept in
 good order4 ,there is danger  to the   
velocipedist in pushing ahead with      
speed1 when the slightest  collision1 or
 the giving way of some minute portion  
of the machine1 may  smash the whole    
affair4          ,illustration          
,,four-,,wheeled ,,velocipedes4         
,,bradford',s ,,velocipede4    ,if any  
of our readers desire the luxury of a   
ride on a velocipede  without the       
necessity of taking lessons1 or the     
danger of getting a  fall1 they will    
find 8,bradford's ,four-,wheeled        
,velocipede0 ready and  able to afford  
them the pleasure4    ,the inventor of  

this vehicle1 ,mr4 ,c4 ,k4 ,bradford1   
has devoted the  greater part of the    
last five years to experiments upon the 
velocipede1  and took out his first     
patent three years and a half ago4 ,the 
machine1  as now constructed and        
improved1 obtained its ,american patent 
,october  #acth1 #ahfh4 ,it has since   
been patented in ,england1 ,france1 and 
,belgium4  ,it is made of the best      
material1 and finished like a           
gentleman's  trotting wagon4 ,it weighs 
but sixty-five pounds1 and combines in a
  high degree both lightness and        
strength4 ,any man1 woman or child1 can 
learn to guide it easily with but a few 
moments practice4    ,the inventor      
claims that it is able to maintain a    
speed of a mile in  three minutes1 and  
that the extraordinary time of a half   
mile in one  minute and forty-five      
seconds1 has been made upon a country   
road4 ,it  can be driven by almost any  
man1 at the rate of a mile in four      
minutes1  on almost any road1 without   

greater exertion than is ordinarily used
 in  walking4 ,this velocipede1 unlike  
all others1 is seen to best advantage   
on the street4 ,in ,mr4 ,bradford's     
tasteful little curricle1 the rider  can
 sit at ease as carelessly as in a      
carriage1 giving himself up  wholly to  
the exhilaration of the rapid movement1 
and the pleasurable  exercise of the    
muscles1 which is just enough to make   
the machine skim  over the ground1 and  
give an enjoyable sense of power4 ,the  
increase of  friction1 which would      
naturally result from the additional    
number of  wheels1 is prevented by an   
application of anti-friction rollers1   
which  reduce the labor of propelling   
the machine to a minimum1 a requisite of
  the highest importance to a person    
seeking either recreation or utility4   
,this velocipede has an adjustable seat1
 which may be placed nearer or  further 
from the pedal crank1 to suit the       
rider's length of limb4 ,the  seat is   
furnished with a high1 strong back1     

which1 besides adding  materially to the
 rider's comfort1 serves him as a point 
d'appui1 a  firm base from which he can 
exert a powerful force in propelling4   
,the steering device is simple and      
complete1 and is the same principle     
upon which one guides the horse4 ,it is 
guided by the hands1 and the  large rear
 wheels are operated upon by means of a 
wheel and cord  arrangement1            
conveniently placed beside the seat4 ,it
 is claimed that  the machine can be    
steered almost to a hair's breadth4 ,it 
is used by  many city firms for the     
purpose of carrying messages and        
parcels1 and  can be seen upon ,broadway
 in the thickest part of the travel4 ,it
 does  not hesitate at curb-stones1 and 
will run over most roads as easily  as  
any light wagon4 ,it can be ridden up   
almost any hill without a  fatiguing    
expenditure of force4 ,it offers        
excellent advantages for  carrying      
refreshments and various articles of    
light baggage1 necessary  in a flying   

trip or excursion4    ,though this      
machine requires more room for its      
accommodation than the  bicycle1 and    
cannot be stored against any wall2 and  
though it does not  give the peculiar   
and fascinating kind of exhilaration    
which balancing  upon the bicycle       
affords1 it will be seen to have many   
advantages over  the two-wheeled        
vehicle4    ,this velocipede is         
especially adapted to ladies1 and allows
 the rider  to sit as becomingly and    
gracefully as she would in her carriage 
or her  parlor chair4 ,the proprietors  
have a very ingenious device which can  
be attached to the machine for ladies1  
which completely conceals all  points of
 motion4    ,the ,bradford ,brothers    
have a large manufactory in ,newark1 ,n4
 ,j4 ,mr4  ,j4 ,w4 ,thorp is their      
agent1 and is rapidly selling ,state and
 county  rights4 ,this velocipede is    
sold at #aej4    ,the ,messrs4 ,bradford
 also manufacture a smaller size for    
boys1 complete  in every particular1 for

 #ge4      ,,callahan',s ,,velocipede4  
,this velocipede was patented ,january  
#eth1 #ahfi1 and is on exhibition  at   
#ag ,state ,street1 ,boston4 ,it has    
been thoroughly tested and is           
pronounced a complete success4 ,it will 
be seen that it is very  different from 
,bradford's machine4 ,the front wheels  
are used as guiding  wheels1 the rear as
 the driving ones4 ,it is propelled by  
both hands and  feet1 acting together or
 separately4 ,the propelling power is   
almost  unlimited1 and is furnished by  
cranks in the hind axles1 with lever    
attachments4 ,it has three different    
steering arrangements1 either of  which 
can be applied1 according to the taste  
of the purchaser4 ,in all  these1 the   
forward wheel and axle are turned with a
 lever arrangement1  operated upon by   
the hand4    ,illustration    ,the      
machine develops both chest and limbs1  
and can be readily used by  ladies and  
children4 ,a little girl of six years   
has ridden it for an  hour without      

fatigue4 ,it is so constructed1 that    
scruples of delicacy  need prevent no   
lady from driving it4 ,it can be driven 
either backwards  or forwards1 will run 
upon the road1 at the rate of fifteen   
miles an  hour1 and will ascend any     
ordinary hill with ease4 ,it is claimed1
 that  it is the only machine made that 
can be checked in going down hill1 or   
that can be stopped instantly4 ,the     
machine varies in size and weight4      
,that most in favor1 has a wheel of     
three feet and a half in diameter1  and 
a weight of about one hundred pounds4   
,it is constructed of the best          
material1 and is neat and nobby in      
appearance4 ,its price is #abe4         
,,the ,,tricycle4      ,the generic     
tricycle1 or three-wheeled velocipede1  
as used abroad1 is  not likely to meet  
with general favor in this country4     
,in its steering arrangements and mode  
of propulsion1 its construction  is     
similar to that of the bicycle4 ,the    
rear wheels are large and light2  the   

fore wheel is smaller1 and serves to    
guide the machine1 being acted  upon by 
means of the steering bar or handle1    
which causes it to bend  in the         
direction indicated by the rider4 ,the  
pedals are attached to  the front wheel1
 and are shaped like slippers1 which    
facilitates the  movement of the legs1  
and at the same time admits of the feet 
being  disengaged simultaneously4 ,the  
movement required to propel this machine
  is a natural one1 does not produce    
unusual fatigue1 and is analogous to    
that of walking4    ,the larger         
three-wheeled velocipedes have a lever  
which follows the  line of the          
eccentrics attached to the pedals1 and  
fits on to the  axles4 ,by assisting the
 movement of this lever1 the speed of   
the  vehicle is considerably increased1 
and a simple pressure against it  checks
 the rotary motion of the wheel1 and    
stops the progress of the  machine4     
,this lever is1 in fact1 both a means of
 impulsion and a brake4  ,as this       

vehicle is chiefly patronized by the    
fair sex1 the seat is more  commodious  
than that of the bicycle2 having sides  
and back of wicker1  and a horse-hair   
cushion4    ,the tricycle is simply a   
hack1 while the bicycle is a blooded    
horse  that fully demonstrates the      
8poetry of motion40 ,the tricycle is    
easier  to guide1 and safer to ride than
 the two-wheeled machine2 there is      
however more friction1 and its speed is 
much less rapid4 ,it has1 thus  far1    
been found impossible to construct a    
three-wheeler with the pedal  method of 
propulsion1 that could compete with the 
bicycle in speed or  pleasure of        
driving4 ,large wheels are necessary for
 speed4 ,if a guiding  wheel be applied 
to a tricycle of this kind large enough 
to run rapidly  on the road1 and to     
counterbalance the size of the other    
wheels1 it  would be unsteady of motion2
 the rider would be apt to be thrown    
headlong at any jar1 and the whole      
machine would be rendered unsafe4       

,many of the larger manufacturers have  
built the tricycle to some  extent4     
,most of them have discontinued their   
make1 finding it  unprofitable1 and that
 the machine gave but little            
satisfaction4    ,the ,bradford         
,brothers of ,new ,york ,city obtained a
 patent1 and entered  largely into the  
business1 at considerable expense4      
,they1 however1  soon stopped the       
manufacture1 and gave exclusive         
attention to their  four-wheeled        
machines4 ,the three-wheeled velocipedes
 of ,messrs4 ,kimball  ,brothers1       
,boston1 seem to be as popular as any in
 the market2 but the  sale is mostly    
local1 and but few of them are          
manufactured4    ,various inventors have
 endeavored to obtain power1 by         
additions to the  gearings1 in the shape
 of spring wheels and levers1 but with  
little  success4 ,others have applied   
the principle of the crank to be turned 
by  the hand1 using the hand for        
steering purposes4    ,mr4 ,wm4 ,h4     

,hall1 of ,boston1 ,mass41 has invented 
a tricycle1 which is  impelled by a     
crank1 acting upon a small wheel1       
connected to another by  an endless     
pulley4 ,every revolution of the crank  
turns the wheels of  the machine once4  
,this machine has not yet been fairly   
tested4    ,a mechanic in ,indiana also 
claims to have invented a machine very  
similar in construction to this of ,mr4 
,hall's4    ,messrs4 ,forbes  ,sears of 
,new ,bedford1 ,mass41 have invented a  
machine  with two hind wheels running   
only about five inches apart4 ,it is    
claimed that the hind wheels are so near
 together as to run practically  as one 
wheel2 and yet the rider can stop the   
vehicle and maintain his  equilibrium4  
,messrs4 ,topliff  ,ely of ,eleria1     
,ohio1 patented ,february #bc;d1 #ahfi1 
a  tricycle1 in which1 by a simple      
movement of a lever1 the rear wheels    
can be run into one1 and the vehicle    
instantaneously changed into a  bicycle4
    ,a gentleman of ,poughkeepsie1 ,n4  

,y41 has invented a machine1 in which   
both the hind wheels are drivers instead
 of the forward one4 ,they  are fastened
 on independent axles meeting in the    
centre1 connected  by a novel           
arrangement of gearing1 so that either  
wheel can stand  as a pivotal point1 and
 the other be driven round it very      
swiftly4  ,the inventor states that it  
will turn in less space than any other  
velocipede4    ,mr4 ,john ,tremper1 of  
,wilmington1 ,del41 has designed and    
patented a  tricycle in which the front 
wheel is the driver as usual2 but placed
 so  closely to the axle of the hind    
wheels1 as to give almost as complete   
command over the motions of the machine1
 in turning corners1 as the  two-wheeled
 velocipede4    8,the ,bennet           
,velocipede0 is characterized by a      
driving wheel four feet  in diameter1   
and two guiding wheels behind1 each     
about a foot in  diameter4    8,samuels'
 ,velocipede0 has also a large driving  
wheel1 with small  guiding wheels       

behind4 ,this machine is propelled by   
hand cranks1  connected with            
corresponding cranks in the driving     
wheel shaft4 ,the  feet are used for    
steering4 ,the inventor claims that this
 machine  will run twenty-five miles an 
hour on a level road4 ,a ,new ,yorker   
has  invented a machine for ladies1     
which he has placed on exhibition at    
,pearsall ,riding ,school4 ,the pedals  
are applied to the rear wheels1 and  the
 small wheel in front is guided by a    
rod1 passing back to the hand  of the   
lady occupying the seat4    ,one or two 
of the novel tricycles1 modeled upon new
 principles1 have  proved decided       
successes4    ,a gentleman of           
,ypsilanti1 ,mich41 has invented one    
that he claims to  have ridden from that
 place to ,detroit1 a distance of       
twenty-eight  miles1 in two hours and   
forty-eight minutes2 and to have made a 
mile  in ,ypsilanti in two minutes and  
thirty seconds4 ,the wheels of this     
machine are forty-two inches in         

diameter1 and are propelled by means of 
a double hand crank1 no treadles being  
used4 ,on each side of the hub of  the  
forward wheel1 is a grooved pulley2 and 
attached to the straight  portion of the
 crank are two more pulleys1 the four   
being connected by  belts4 ,at each     
revolution of the pulleys1 the vehicle  
is propelled a  distance of sixteen and 
a half feet2 and when an ordinary rate  
of speed  is attained1 it runs quite    
easily4 ,its weight is forty-nine       
pounds1 and  the inventor claims that it
 will sustain two hundred pounds without
  danger of collapsing4 ,it can be run  
on ordinary carriage roads1 with        
comparative ease4    ,samuel ,marden of 
,newton ,corner1 ,mass41 has lately     
commenced the  manufacture of a         
three-wheeled velocipede for which he   
obtained a  patent in ,february1 #ahfh4 
,he calls his machine 8a mechanical     
horse20  it is propelled by the weight  
of the rider1 and by friction4 ,it  has 
neither treadles1 cranks1 or guiding    

arms4 ,the rider rises in  his stirrups 
as on a trotting horse4 ,the saddle is  
so arranged that  the pressure upon it  
revolves a gearing wheel1 which acts    
upon a  small one connected with the    
axle of the rear wheel2 these wheels are
  thus made to turn very rapidly4 ,it   
will be seen that this velocipede  is   
constructed upon an entirely new        
principle4 ,it is claimed that  it can  
be driven upon the road1 at the rate of 
from ten to fifteen  miles an hour4     
,this machine can be used by ladies1    
with a side-saddle  arrangement4 ,its   
price is #abe4 ,mr4 ,marden's velocipede
 has been  tested1 and we think he has a
 fortune in his invention4 ,he has more 
orders than he can fill1 and is prepared
 to sell ,state1 county1 and  town      
rights4          ,,hemming',s           
,,unicycle1 ,,or 8,,flying ,,yankee     
,,velocipede40      ,the single-wheeled 
velocipede has at length received a     
palpable body1  and 8a local habitation 
and a name40    ,illustration           

,richard ,c4 ,hemming of ,new ,haven1   
,conn41 invented the machine herewith   
represented1 two years ago2 but has only
 recently brought it into the  market   
and applied it to practical purposes4   
,the main wheel has a  double rim1 or   
has two concentric rims1 the inner face 
of the inner  one having a projecting   
lip for keeping the friction rollers and
 the  friction driver in place2 each of 
these being correspondingly grooved  on 
their peripheries4 ,the frame on which  
the rider sits1 sustains these  friction
 wheels in double parallel arms1 on the 
front one of which is  mounted a double 
pulley1 with belts passing to small     
pulleys on the  axis of the driving     
wheel4 ,this double wheel is driven1 as 
seen1 by  cranks turned by the hands4   
,the friction of the lower wheel on the 
surface of the inner rim of the main    
wheel1 is the immediate means of        
propulsion4 ,a small binding wheel1 seen
 between the rider's legs1  serves to   
keep the bands or belts tight4 ,the     

steering is effected  either by         
inclining the body to one side or the   
other1 or by the foot  impinging on the 
ground1 the stirrups being hung low for 
this purpose4  ,by throwing the weight  
on these stirrups1 the binding wheel may
 be  brought more powerfully down on the
 belts4 ,over the rider's head is  an   
awning1 and there is also a shield in   
front of his body to keep  the clothes  
from being soiled by mud and wet4 ,when 
going forward1 the  driving wheel is    
kept slightly forward of the centre of  
gravity by the  position of the rider4  
,by this means the power exerted is     
comparatively  small4 ,every turn of the
 crank is equivalent to a rotation of   
the great  wheel4    ,mr4 ,hemming says 
that this machine can be manufactured   
for fifty  dollars1 of a weight of only 
thirty pounds2 that it will ascend      
steep grades1 and that it can be driven 
on the roads with but little  exertion1 
at the rate of twenty or even           
twenty-five miles an hour4 ,this  wheel 

is of a diameter of from six to eight   
feet4    ,mr4 ,hemming's boy of thirteen
 has one five feet in diameter1 the     
first  manufactured1 crude in           
construction1 and heavier than          
necessary1 which  he propels at the rate
 of a mile in three minutes4            
99       99       99       99       99  
,a mechanic of ,dubuque1 ,iowa1 has     
invented a one-wheeled machine1 which   
he calls a velocycle or velocyde4 ,this 
velocipede is not ridden upon1  but     
transports its rider into the position  
of 8walkist40 ,it is a large  wheel or  
double wheel1 made a unit by a light rim
 of five feet one inch  in diameter4    
,the operator steps upon the rim and    
commences to ascend an  endless ladder4 
,it being movable1 of course he does not
 ascend but sets  the wheel in motion4  
,the inventor claims that the effort is 
not greater  than the force of muscle   
required in ordinary locomotion1 and    
that by  his arrangement of pulleys1    
each step gives a complete revolution of

  the wheel and is equivalent to a      
stride of eighteen feet4 ,he claims     
that it will ascend steep grades1 will  
run at the rate of twenty  miles an     
hour1 will not weigh over twenty pounds1
 and that it can be  manufactured for   
#dj4           99       99       99     
99       99    ,the single wheeled      
velocipede was perhaps predicted in     
,ezekiel i4  #ae-ba4 ,a gentleman in    
,pittsburg1 ,pa41 claims to have        
invented one1  which can be propelled by
 the combined force of five men1 who    
occupy  comfortable seats in the        
automatic horse4 ,this wheel is ten feet
 in  diameter1 and the inventor thinks  
it can be driven at the rate of  twenty 
miles an hour4           99       99    
99       99       99    ,a ,new ,york   
mechanic has devised a monocycle or     
single machine1 which  consists of a    
wheel eight feet in diameter1 with a    
tire six inches  wide1 or two narrow    
tires on its outer edges1 with two sets 
of spokes  connecting with a double     

centre1 which fills the place of a hub1 
the  two sides of which are two feet and
 a half apart4 ,the operator is in  the 
middle1 and propels the wheel by an     
apparatus1 in which both his  weight and
 his muscles are brought into play4     
,illustration    ,we present an         
engraving of an ,english one-wheeled    
velocipede4 ,the feet  are placed on    
short stilts1 connected with the cranks1
 one on either  side of the rim1 while  
the rider sits upon a steel spring      
saddle over  the whole wheel4 ,the      
inventor modestly limits the diameter of
 the wheel  to twelve feet1 and the     
number of revolutions to fifty per      
minute4  ,twenty-five miles per hour is 
the speed expected to be reached4 ,the  
riders of this machine1 without the     
ability to overcome the laws of         
gravity1 would be very likely to get    
broken bones and noses4 ,it is not      
likely to come into general use4        
99       99       99       99       99  
,captain ,du ,boisson1 a ,frenchman and 

captain of ,prince ,napoleon's yacht1   
8,jerome ,napoleon10 has invented a     
velocipede which runs upon water  with  
great facility4 ,it is composed of two  
parallel tubes of cast  iron1           
cigar-shaped1 connected by iron         
cross-pieces4 ,in the centre is  a      
propelling wheel1 covered by a house or 
drum1 on the top of which  the person   
using the vessel sits comfortably in a  
sort of saddle1 with  stirrups4 ,by     
means of these stirrups and a hand crank
 upon each side1  he gives the wheel its
 motion1 precisely as it is given to a  
velocipede  on shore4 ,the novel craft  
is easily propelled at the rate of six  
miles  an hour4           99       99   
99       99       99    ,a gentleman of 
,poughkeepsie1 ,n4 ,y41 has invented and
 uses an ,ice  ,velocipede1 which he    
propels with astonishing rapidity4 ,the 
frame of  this velocipede is built like 
those which are commonly used in this   
city4 ,it has but one wheel1 steered    
with a bar as in the land machine1  but 

armed with sharp points to prevent its  
slipping4 ,instead of the  wheel behind 
are two sharp runners1 like those       
attached to the ice  boats4           99
       99       99       99       99    
,illustration    ,a ,steam ,velocipede  
has also been invented1 from which great
 speed  is expected4 ,the cylinders and 
their attachments to the two driving    
wheels are not shown4 ,they are placed  
vertically in front of the  boiler1     
between it and the seat1 and connect    
with cranks on the shaft  of the driving
 wheels4 ,the engraving shows the       
position of the boiler  relatively to   
the other parts of the machine4 ,the    
engine is a direct  acting compound     
engine of two cylinders1 each cylinder  
two and a half  inches diameter1 and    
five inches stroke4 ,the steering gear  
consists of  an endless chain over a    
grooved wheel on the engine shaft1 and  
passing  over a corresponding wheel     
fixed between the forked shaft just over
  the front4 ,the latter grooved wheel  

is a wide one1 and over it passes       
another chain4 ,this latter chain works 
round the boss of the front  wheel4     
,this arrangement gives power to the    
front wheel1 so that in  turning a      
corner1 this wheel takes a wider sweep  
than the two driving  wheels1 which go  
first4 ,in travelling on a straight road
 7backwards7  the machine is turned to  
either side by turning the steering     
wheel to  the opposite side4 ,the boiler
 is a vertical one1 with four tubes1 one
  and a half inches internal diameter1  
hanging down by the side of the         
fire-box4 ,the fire-grate is cast with  
four holes in it to receive the  bottom 
ends of the tubes so as to hold them    
firmly4 ,height of boiler1  two feet six
 inches2 height of fire-box1 fifteen    
inches2 diameter  of fire-box1 eleven   
inches2 diameter of boiler1 fourteen    
inches4  ,the fire-box and tubes are    
copper1 pressure two hundred pounds2 but
  twenty-five pounds of steam will be   
equal to a velocipede propelled by  the 

feet4           99       99       99    
99       99    ,philadelphia has        
recently produced a velocipede of an    
entirely new  style4 ,there are but two 
wheels1 the seat sitting quite low      
between  them4 ,the novelty consists in 
a cog attached to the guiding-post1 by  
means of which the rear wheel is made to
 follow directly in the track  of the   
forward wheel4 ,no matter how short the 
turn1 both wheels make it  at the same  
time1 and the seat always remains       
parallel with the driving  wheel4 ,in   
other machines there is no guide to the 
rear wheel1 and  consequently the       
machine cannot be turned so readily when
 a collision  is threatened4 ,the new   
machine1 which is called the            
8,keystone10 in  honor of its native    
,state1 is substantially built1 and so  
far as it has  been tested in the riding
 school1 is pronounced a success4       
,there is an ingenious gentleman in     
,cincinnati1 who is at work             
constructing a velocipede to be         

propelled by a spring1 on the principle 
of a watch4 ,after winding it up1 he    
calculates that it will move two  miles 
before it will require winding4    ,a   
gentleman in ,albany has arranged a     
velocipede to run on railroad  tracks4  
,the wheels have flanges to them1 so    
that they cannot leave  the rails4 ,the 
flanges are so arranged as to be removed
 when occasion  requires1 so as to make 
the machine available on ordinary roads4
 ,the  inventor claims fifty miles an   
hour4    ,an expert velocipedestrian in 
the ,west1 has had rubber tires put upon
  the wheels of his vehicle2 and finds  
by their use1 he can ride in  winter    
over snow and ice without slipping1 and 
that in summer he is  much relieved of  
the jar from roughnesses of roads4      
,the vast majority of the new           
velocipedes of which we hear daily1     
prove  total failures on trial4 ,most of
 their inventors proceed upon abstract  
principles1 and fall into absurdities1  
from which previous practical  knowledge

 would have saved them4                 
,illustration          ,,velocipedes    
,,for ,,ladies4      ,we present a      
bicycle for ladies1 lately invented and 
patented by  ,messrs4 ,pickering  ,davis
 of ,new ,york ,city4 ,it will be seen  
that the  reach or frame1 instead of    
forming a nearly straight line from the 
front swivel to the hind axle1 follows  
the curve of the front wheel  until it  
reaches a line nearly as low as the hind
 axle1 when it runs  horizontally to    
that point of the hind wheel4 ,the two  
wheels being  separated three or four   
inches1 allow of an upright rod being   
secured  to the reach2 around this is a 
spiral spring1 on which a comfortable1  
cane-seated1 willow-backed chair is     
placed4 ,this machine1 with a  moderate 
sized wheel 7of thirty to thirty-three  
inches71 will allow  being driven with a
 great deal of comfort and all the      
advantages of the  two-wheel veloce4 ,in
 mounting1 a lady has to step over the  
reach1 at  a point only twelve inches   

from the floor1 the height of an        
ordinary  step in a flight of stairs4   
,a machine for ladies has also been     
invented by ,s4 ,t4 ,derry of ,boston1  
and patented by ,messrs4 ,sargent and   
,derry1 which in construction and       
appearance is very similar to the one   
just described4 ,its saddle is of       
velvet on springs1 giving a perfectly   
elastic seat2 it is furnished  with mud 
fenders in front and behind1 and is     
complete in every respect4    ,both     
these machines have been examined by    
experts and pronounced  satisfactory4   
,it will be readily seen that they      
obviate many of the  difficulties1      
embarrassments1 and objectionable       
features of the  bicycle4 ,they will1   
doubtless1 become popular4 ,while young 
men have  been dashing about on         
velocipedes1 many young women have      
looked on with  envy and emulation4     
,they have not been satisfied with the  
tricycle  designed for their especial   
use2 and have felt it hard that they    

should be denied the exercise1          
amusement1 risk1 dash1 and delightful   
independence1 which the bicycle so      
abundantly affords4    ,it is possible  
that our young ladies will rush into    
velocipeding as  they have into skating1
 and other athletic amusements4 ,it     
would be  a substitute1 in many cases1  
for the expensive luxury of horseback   
exercise1 and has the advantages over   
it1 of convenience and pleasure  as well
 as cost4 ,velocipeding will be         
particularly nice for suburban  ladies1 
who have smooth roads around them1 over 
which they may bowl  to their hearts'   
content1 and drive themselves from house
 to house on  morning calls4 ,it will   
not be necessary to keep an ostler1 nor 
to have  an attendant to assist in      
mounting and to accompany the rider4    
,when  ready for her ride1 a lady may   
take her horse from the front hall1     
clean and fresh1 mount1 and be off4 ,it 
would be a bright and beautiful  day for
 our land1 should a laudable and        

reasonable ambition once fairly  get    
possession of our young women1 to       
cultivate and develop their  physical   
natures1 and to become strong1 healthy1 
robust1 and enduring4    ,a short time  
since1 8,the ,revolution0 published an  
able article  recommending the use of   
the bicycle to ladies4 ,it has been used
 by them  for some time in a quiet way1 
and to a much greater extent than is    
generally supposed4 ,there are classes  
for ladies in almost every large  city2 
and many are waiting for fine weather1  
to enjoy the art in the  open air1      
instead of a closely confined room2 and 
to 8,witch the world  with noble        
horsemanship40    ,the idea has been    
conceived from seeing experts ride      
side-saddle  fashion1 and drive the     
machine with one foot1 that ladies might
 begin  by learning the art in that way4
 ,this would be well nigh impossible1   
though it is easy enough after one is   
proficient4 ,but with a proper  teacher 
of their own sex1 and with suitable     

dresses for preliminary  practice1      
ladies can soon obtain such a command   
over the vehicle1 that  they can ride   
side-saddle wise with perfect ease4     
,a lady must begin with great           
moderation1 and train her muscles to the
  work of propulsion1 or they will cry  
out vehemently at first4 ,above  all1   
she must avoid getting cold1 rheumatism1
 and neuralgia1 after  being heated by  
the exercise4    ,the best school for   
ladies is established in ,boston1 and is
 conducted  in a properly private and   
exclusive manner4 ,it is supplied with a
  number of lady teachers and           
assistants1 all under the direction of  
the best 8velocipedagogue0 in the city4 
,it is in a large hall in  a good       
locality1 and is provided with the best 
,french machines1  dressing-rooms1 and  
other conveniences4 ,many good old      
,boston names  are to be found upon the 
list of pupils4 ,the lessons are        
twenty-five  dollars for a course of    
instruction1 with a guarantee of        

proficiency4    ,there is also a school 
especially designed for ladies1 at the  
corner of  ,fifth ,avenue and           
,fourteenth ,street1 ,new ,york1 at what
 is known as the  ,somerville ,art      
,gallery4 ,this has two halls of an area
 of #c1jjj square  feet4 ,one of the    
halls is set apart for beginners1 and   
the other for  those more advanced4     
,ladies1 in riding the bicycle1 commonly
 use the modest and appropriate  costume
 worn by them in calisthenic exercises  
and in the gymnasium4  ,another very    
suitable dress for the                  
velocipedestrienne has been thus        
described3--    8,let the outer dress   
skirt be made so as to button its entire
 length  in front2 the back part should 
be made to button from the bottom1 to a 
point about three-eighths of a yard up  
the skirt4 ,this arrangement does  not  
detract at all from the appearance of an
 ordinary walking costume4  ,when the   
wearer wishes to prepare for a drive1   
she simply loosens  two or three of the 

lower buttons at the front and back and 
bringing  together the two ends of each 
side1 separately1 buttons them in this  
way around each ankle4 ,this gives a    
full skirt around each ankle1 and1  when
 mounted1 the dress falls gracefully at 
each side of the front  wheel40    ,miss
 ,carrie ,augusta ,moore1 well-known in 
amusement circles as 8,the  ,skatorial  
,queen10 has been riding the bicycle in 
public in ,washington1  ,boston1 and the
 ,western cities1 with much success4    
,her riding is  described as finished   
and graceful1 and her costume as neat   
and modest4          ,,velocipede       
,,schools ,,and ,,rinks4      ,those who
 have thought the rage for velocipedes  
would be fleeting and  evanescent1 have 
found themselves much mistaken4         
,velocipede 8,schools10  8,halls10      
8,rinks10 8,institutes10 and            
8,academies10 have sprung into          
existence with mushroom rapidity4 ,there
 are scores in our large cities1  and   
one or more in almost every country     

town4 ,they secure a patronage  which is
 not only surprising1 as indicating the 
extent to which the  enthusiasm         
prevails2 but also as showing that the  
desire to ride is  not confined to any  
particular age1 or to any class of      
persons4 ,we  have seen astride the     
bicycle in the same rink1 the old and   
the young1  the fat man and the lean1   
the doctor1 who does not believe that   
the  fashionable exercise develops one  
set of muscles to the detriment of      
others2 the clergyman1 a regular        
muscular ,christian2 and the newsboy    
who has sold his papers in the cold and 
rain to accumulate the funds  to make   
him as much the privileged character as 
any nabob4 ,we have  witnessed the      
lawyer1 the tradesman1 and the mechanic1
 spinning with  ease and grace4 ,we have
 watched the lounger who fringes the    
edge of  society with his delicate      
moustache1 making his languid attempt2  
we have seen the artist mount his       
,pegasus1 and the professor of          

literature1 striving with noble         
persistency to emulate his much envied  
tutor4 ,there is a marked fascination in
 the exercise which affects  alike the  
spectators and the participants4 ,those 
who come to look1  remain to ride2 and  
those1 who once bestride 8the wheeled   
,rosinante10  refuse to quit until they 
have tamed the unaccustomed steed4      
,it is very amusing to watch the eager  
pupils1 going through their  novitiate4 
,the beginners mount1 struggle1         
perspire1 and tumble in all  directions 
and shapes2 and blunders1 awkward       
movements1 collisions1 and  shipwrecks  
follow each other in constant           
succession4 ,the more advanced  ride    
with 8,this one thing ,i do10 manifest  
upon every feature2 and one  would      
suppose1 from looking at their          
compressed lips1 knit brows1 and  fixed 
eyes1 that they felt they were guiding1 
like ,phaton1 the horses  of the ,sun4  
,the graduates and proficients ride with
 charming ease1  carelessness1 and      

control4    8,the early bird catches the
 worm10 is a proverb particularly       
applicable  to those who first started  
velocipede schools4 ,all the rinks1     
schools1  academies1 and                
8velocipedagogues10 do a large business2
 and their  machines pay for themselves 
in a short time4    ,the fever is not   
confined to the ,eastern and ,middle    
,states1 but rages  throughout the      
,south and ,west4 ,in some of the       
velocipede riding halls1  a charge is   
made for a series of ten lessons2 at    
others1 there is an  admittance fee1 and
 a certain price per hour for using the 
machine4 ,in  our cities1 we have them  
to suit all classes and conditions of   
people4  ,they range from the rinks in  
common localities1 with their sawdust   
floors1 cheap machines1 and nominal     
admission fees1 where the 8timid        
toddlers0 go it alone1 to the schools in
 the marble blocks1 with their  ,french 
machines and experienced teachers4      
,as our knowledge increases1 our tastes 

become more luxurious4 ,the  plebeian is
 content with his wagon1 but the        
patrician must have his  coup4 ,the     
beginner asks no better accommodation   
than is afforded by  the ,new ,bedford  
machine2 but one of the 8do it          
gracefuls10 or one of  the 8fancy few0  
must have spring work1 ornamental       
mountings1 bright  varnish1 and no      
sawdust under him2 else he fails to     
experience the acme  of bicycular       
enjoyment4    ,among the most popular   
velocipede schools in ,new ,york city1  
are those  of the ,pearsall ,brothers1  
corner of ,broadway and ,twenty-second  
,street2  ,hanlon ,brothers1 corner of  
,broadway and ,tenth ,street2 ,calvin   
,witty1  #fch ,broadway2 ,mercer        
,monod1 ,no4 #c ,williams ,street2 and  
,barber   ,pendleton1 corner of         
,broadway and ,forty-seventh ,street4   
,the ,pearsall ,brothers formerly       
occupied prominent and lucrative        
positions with ,messrs4 ,gurney  ,son1  
photographers4 ,they foresaw the  future

 popularity of the velocipede1 and      
abandoned photography for  velocipeding 
with immediate success4 ,they opened the
 first school in  ,new ,york1 and have  
the names of some five hundred or more  
pupils on  their lists4 ,they have a    
velocipede ware-room under their hall4  
,the ,hanlon ,brothers1 well-known as   
gymnasts1 have the reputation of  being 
the best riders in the country4 ,their  
hall is the largest in  ,new ,york1 and 
is furnished with twenty-five           
first-class machines4  ,they lately gave
 a 8,velocipede ,reception and ,hop20   
and exhibited many  graceful and daring 
feats upon the bicycle2 afterwards other
 gentlemen  also gave proof of their    
skill1 among them1 ,charles ,a4 ,dana1  
,editor of  the 8,new ,york ,sun10 who  
is an expert rider4    ,the largest and 
most popular school in ,brooklyn is     
under the direction  of ,mr4 ,a4 ,c4    
,burnham4 ,at all these schools1        
velocipede receptions and  exhibitions  
are of almost nightly occurrence1 and   

create much interest4    ,messrs4       
,crawford  ,co41 of ,philadelphia1 have 
a large school1 corner of  ,eighth and  
,callowhill ,streets1 where they use a  
velocipede of their own  construction1  
in which the rear wheel is used as the  
guiding wheel4    ,messrs4 ,mercer      
,monod1 of ,new ,york1 have a           
flourishing branch school  in           
,philadelphia4    ,the ,pearsall        
,brothers have one in ,detroit1 ,mich41 
and another in  ,chicago1 ,ill4 ,the    
large ,zouave ,hall in ,chicago1 under  
the direction of  ,geo4 ,d4 ,miles1 has 
become a noted velocipede academy4 ,the 
,nicholson  pavement1 much used in      
,chicago1 is admirably adapted to this  
kind  of propulsion1 and the riders soon
 leave the rinks for the streets4       
,chicago hails any invention of a fast  
nature1 and the velocipede has  already 
become a practical institution there4   
,there is no place where the velocipede 
furore has developed more  rapidly or to
 a greater extent than in ,boston4      

,there are over twenty  schools and     
rinks in the city2 and no less than     
eleven on ,washington  ,street1 between 
the ,old ,south ,church and ,chester    
,square4 ,the first  school in ,boston  
was opened by ,s4 ,t4 ,derry of the firm
 of ,wm4 ,h4  ,sargent  ,co41 at #aee   
,tremont ,street4 ,at this school the   
course of  instruction is thorough and  
complete1 and all pupils graduate       
experts4  ,six different sizes of       
,french pattern velocipedes are used1   
and the  scholar is advanced from one to
 the other1 according to progress4      
,though this is a private school1 there 
are the names of hundreds of  graduates 
upon its lists4 ,mr4 ,derry is an       
accomplished teacher4 ,he has  several  
other schools under his charge1 and has 
made arrangements to  lease the ,skating
 ,rink for the same purpose4    ,the    
first public rink opened in ,boston1 was
 near ,bowdoin ,square 7,no4 #g  ,greene
 ,street71 and has been deservedly      
popular4 ,the proprietors have  had     

branch rinks in ,cambridgeport1         
,brighton1 and other neighboring  towns4
    ,the fashionable ,horticultural     
,hall was transformed into a first-class
  velocipede academy for a limited time4
 ,this academy was provided with  coat  
rooms1 dressing rooms1 and other        
conveniences2 and with seats and        
accommodations for ladies4 ,tournaments 
and races here followed each  other in  
rapid succession4    ,among the other   
popular rinks in ,boston1 are those of  
,kimball  ,brothers1 #aac ,court        
,street2 ,walter ,brown1 #agi ,court    
,street2 ,horace ,m4  ,sargent1         
,boylston ,hall2 ,macy  ,butler1 #ij and
 #ib ,tremont ,street2 at  #ccd         
,washington ,street2 at ,arlington      
,hall2 and at ,riddle's ,carriage       
,repository1 ,haymarket ,square4    ,the
 two best and largest rinks in the      
,united ,states are to be found at      
,harvard ,square1 ,cambridge4 ,one of   
them has twelve thousand square feet  of
 floor1 and twenty-five good machines4  

,the other1 built by ,mr4 ,john  ,c4    
,stiles1 is in the form of an           
amphitheatre1 and has a circular course 
of a little less than an eighth of a    
mile in length4 ,only part of the  track
 is under cover4 ,at night1 this rink is
 brilliantly lighted1 and  the scene is 
at once novel and inspiring4 ,scores of 
riders rush madly  after each other at  
break-neck speed1 round and round the   
arena4  ,we have seen an expert whirl   
over the course in seventeen seconds1   
which is nearly as good time as any     
recorded abroad1 and better than  any   
heretofore made in this country4 ,the   
students of 8,old ,harvard0  crowd these
 rinks2 the billiard halls and other    
places of resort are  deserted1 and all 
are eager votaries of the fascinating   
art4          8,,where ,,shall ,,we     
,,ride80      ,but one thing is likely  
to interfere with the bicycle campaign  
in our  large cities and towns2 and that
 is the difficulty of finding suitable  
places to ride in4 ,our latest hobby is 

already ridden with remarkable  fury in 
the streets1 and will continue to be so1
 by those who make  the machine a means 
of utility4 ,foot passengers1 however1  
claim the  sidewalks as their exclusive 
rights2 and will hardly be pleased to   
feel  in perpetual terror of--          
,bicycles right of them1      ,bicycles 
left of them1      ,bicycles front of   
them1      ,rolling and tumbling2    and
 those who ride for amusement1 are      
anxiously looking for suitable  places1 
where they can do so without annoyance  
to passers1 or being  interfered with by
 them2 where they can see and be seen2  
and where  their skill can be admired4  
,but velocipede tracks are now in       
preparation4 ,race-courses will be  free
 to the bicycle1 velocipede stables will
 open in their vicinity1  and the       
proprietors will rapidly line their     
pockets4 ,all the skating  ponds will be
 metamorphosed into velocipedariums and 
velocipede rinks4  ,these will make     
capital exercise grounds1 where         

numberless riders can  make their       
graceful curves to the music of a good  
band2 and where1 in  hot summer weather1
 they can be protected from the sun by  
awnings4 ,the  large parks will be open 
to velocipedestrians4    ,it has been   
currently reported that the             
,commissioners of ,central ,park1  ,new 
,york1 have prohibited the driving of   
the bicycle there2 but the  rumor is    
without foundation4 ,no such interdict  
will be issued1 unless  the blooded     
horses object to the novel machine1 by  
running away4  ,well-bred horses1       
whether thorough-bred or not1 already   
manifest no  emotion at the sight of the
 vehicle4 ,without doubt1 the           
,commissioners  will yield gracefully to
 the public demand4    ,in ,new ,york1 a
 project has been advocated of building 
an elevated  railway1 from ,harlem to   
the ,battery1 to be used only by        
velocipede  riders4 ,on such a railway1 
thirty feet wide1 and with a flooring   
of hard pine1 it would be possible to go

 from one end of ,manhattan  ,island to 
the other in about an hour1 making      
allowance for delays1  from stoppages   
and accidents4 ,a good rider1 with a    
clear track1  could easily accomplish   
the distance in half an hour2 but1 with 
a  well-filled road1 progress would     
necessarily be slower4 ,in ,prospect    
and ,washington ,parks1 ,brooklyn1 the  
bicycle votaries are allowed the  same  
privileges as equestrians4 ,many of the 
level streets of that city1  with the   
,nicholson and concrete pavements1      
furnish a capital surface  for the      
velocipedestrians1 and are great        
resorts4 ,it is even said1  that the    
benign ,city ,fathers propose to bridge 
the gutters for their  accommodation4   
,the residents of ,boston will find good
 riding grounds1 easy of access  to the 
city1 on many of the smooth roads of its
 beautiful suburbs4    ,philadelphians  
can ride the velocipede on their        
straight1 level  streets4 ,we know of no
 place so admirably adapted to the      

bicycle1 as  ,broad ,street1            
,philadelphia1 with its miles of        
,nicholson pavement4      ,,velocipede  
,,racing4    ,another feature of the    
velocipede campaign1 will be races      
against time1  and contests of rival    
riders4 ,fast and slow races for money1 
silver  cups1 and other prizes1 follow  
each other night after night in most  of
 our rinks4 ,all the race-courses will  
be used for this purpose4 ,a  provision 
for this sort of sport is in progress1  
at the ,capitoline  ,ball-ground1       
,brooklyn1 where in ,may a half-mile    
track of smooth hard  road-way will be  
ready4 ,the managers of the ,prospect   
,park ,association1  of the same place1 
have made arrangements to signalize     
their first  spring meeting for #ahfi1  
with a grand velocipede tournament2 at  
which  prizes amounting to #a1ejj will  
be given for the best time1 to the      
winners of a series of races4 ,these    
races will be governed by a special     
code of rules1 which will include       

handicapping for weight of machines  and
 riders1 diameter of driving wheel1 and 
extent of treadles4 ,there  will be     
first1 second1 and third prizes for the 
greatest speed2 prizes  for the best    
time made2 and prizes for slow riding4  
,this tournament  will afford1 not only 
an excellent opportunity for the display
 of  skill in ,american velocipede      
riding1 but also a fair chance to show  
off the merits of the different styles  
of machines4 ,it will create an         
excitement1 and it is anticipated that  
many thousand people will be  present4  
,the proprietors of ,riverside ,park1   
near ,boston1 also intend to  inaugurate
 a series of bicycle contests on their  
course during the  ensuing summer4      
,at the last annual meeting of the      
,housatonic ,agricultural ,society of   
,berkshire ,county1 ,mass41 a vote was  
passed1 offering premiums for  bicycle  
races1 at the next exhibition and fair4 
,velocipede races are now a feature of  
the ,french turf meetings4 ,these  are  

less cruel1 and more attractive and     
exciting1 than running horses  under    
whip and spur4 ,in the suburbs of       
,paris1 a race of this kind  is         
especially interesting4 ,the village in 
which it takes place is in  holiday     
guise2 banners flaunt gaily1 and eagles1
 wreaths1 and flowers  are to be seen in
 every direction4 ,the mayor is usually 
present1 with  a red1 white1 and blue   
scarf1 his badge of office4 ,the riders 
wear  jockey caps and silk jackets1 and 
at the moment of starting are drawn  up 
abreast4 ,the fair sex mount their      
chairs1 wave their hands1 flourish      
their handkerchiefs1 laugh1 and scream  
with delight as their favorites  start  
at the signal4 ,in spite of the         
exertions of the gendarmes1 the  crowd  
closes in behind the contestants1 who   
are soon lost to sight4 ,in  a few      
moments1 however1 distant shouts and    
cheers announce the return2  and the    
crowd opens1 to allow the passage of the
 victor1 who passes the  winning-post   

amidst great applause4    ,the fastest  
time which has thus far been made in    
,france1 was one mile  in two minutes   
and fourteen seconds4 ,there is a record
 also1 of two  miles having been made in
 four minutes and fifty-six seconds4    
,this  extraordinary speed was attained 
on a perfect track1 with large-wheeled  
machines4    ,among the velocipede      
wagers which have had place in our      
newspapers1  we mention one or two of   
the more remarkable4 ,it is said that a 
,providence pedestrian and rope-walker  
is to commence1 on the first day  of    
,june next1 the unparalleled feat of    
propelling a velocipede of his  own     
manufacture1 a distance of three        
thousand miles in thirty days1          
averaging one hundred miles per day1 for
 a wager of #e1jjj4 ,during  the trip1  
he is to ride the velocipede one hundred
 and fifty miles in  twenty-four hours1 
and one trial only will be allowed4     
,two ,new ,york gentlemen have wagered  
#a1ejj a side to ride from ,new ,york   

to ,chicago4 ,articles of agreement have
 been drawn up and signed with a        
forfeit of #bej each4                   
,,velocipede ,,literature4      ,until  
very recently1 velocipede literature has
 been confined to some  few magazine    
articles1 editorials in scientific1     
illustrated1 and other  newspapers1 and 
various and constant newspaper squibs4  
,now1 however1 the velocipedestrians    
have a novelty in a paper of their  own1
 which has made its appearance in ,new  
,york4 ,it is to be published  monthly  
by ,messrs4 ,pickering  ,davis4 ,it is a
 quarto of eight pages1  and is entitled
 8,the ,velocipedist40 8,the object this
 paper has in view1  is to record       
everything of interest in the velocipede
 world40 ,it is  edited by ,w4 ,chester 
,king1 late of ,athens1 ,greece1 whom   
,horace ,greeley1  in the 8,tribune0 of 
,february #ast1 #ahfi1 justly styles a  
8brilliant and  accomplished young      
litterateur40 ,this young gentleman has 
distinguished  himself1 in a marked     

manner1 in various branches of          
journalism2 and 8in  velocipede         
literature he is as far ahead of his    
contemporaries as1 in  ,virgil1 ,tityrus
 tells us1 ,rome was in advance of other
 cities4        #8,verum hc centum alias
 inter caput extulit urbes      ,quantum
 lenta solent inter viburna cupressi4'0 
,,velocipathy4    ,,the ,,velocipede    
,,from ,a ,,medical ,,stand-,,point4    
,the vast majority of people are almost 
wholly responsible for their  physical  
condition4 ,bodily strength and sound   
health1 like mental  accomplishments1   
are the results of cultivation2 and the 
greater part  of mankind can as easily  
obtain them1 as they can acquire a      
knowledge  of ,mathematics in school or 
college4    ,let any one place1 side by 
side1 the closely confined student or   
clerk1  and the man who has paid special
 attention to his physical culture4     
,compare the pale or sallow face1 the   
flat chest1 the narrow1 stooping        
shoulders of the former1 with the       

development of the latter1 whose        
vigorous frame defies disease1 whose    
strength gives a consciousness  of power
 that makes him fearless of danger1 and 
who can exult in that  greatest earthly 
possession1 exuberant health4 ,these two
 classes of men  will be the fathers of 
the next generation4 ,the great         
disparity between  them can be obviated 
by physical training on the part of the 
former4 ,if  not1 then1 merely as a     
means of happiness to ourselves1 is it  
not a  duty we owe to succeeding        
generations1 that we cultivate these    
means of  raising man to the summit of  
his nature1 physically as well as       
mentally8    ,the condition of          
civilization 7if one avoids its vices71 
does not  weaken bodily vigor1 provided 
the locomotive system is kept in        
thorough  activity4 ,the masses should  
not only have the necessary amount of   
exercise in the open air1 but a perfect 
exercise of every muscle in the  body4  
,a neglect of the powers with which our 

,creator has endowed us1 is  punished by
 their withdrawal4 ,allow the intellect 
to remain idle and it  will become      
sluggish4 ,all parts of the human       
organism not sufficiently  worked1 are  
liable to degenerate2 the nerve force   
which should guide  and govern is       
allowed to sleep2 the muscles become    
inelastic fibre of  but little vitality4
 ,tie up an arm for months and it       
withers away4 ,let  the muscles of our  
young men and delicate young ladies     
remain idle2  they degenerate and       
atrophy4    8,everything that prolongs  
human life1 ameliorates human suffering1
  elevates and develops the human frame1
 is an element of progress2 an  element 
that all true men admire and cherish40  
,the velocipede is one of the finest    
inventions of the nineteenth  century4  
,it is a physiologically constructed    
machine2 is an invaluable  means of     
promoting health1 and bids fair to      
emancipate our youth from  the common   
muscular lethargy and debility4         

,velocipeding is superior to skating1   
horseback riding1 base-ball1 and        
rowing4 ,while skating is good for the  
legs1 horseback riding for the  chest1  
base-ball and rowing for the legs and   
arms1 the benefit derived  from exercise
 on the velocipede is not local4 ,it    
gives a natural  exercise and general   
development to every muscle of the body4
 ,the arms  are the first to feel the   
effect of the exercise1 for the pressure
 of  the feet upon the stirrups must be 
met by a corresponding pressure of  the 
hands on the tiller1 necessary to       
prevent the front wheel from  turning4  
,this pressure of the tiller against the
 hands puts the rider  in an upright    
position1 with elbows well back and     
hands well extended1  straightens the   
stooping shoulders1 facilitates         
respiration1 expands  the lungs1 and    
develops the chest4 ,no position can be 
maintained upon  the velocipede1        
inconsistent with ease and elegance of  
motion1 or  incompatible with the laws  

of health4    ,some physicians of       
prominence have pronounced against the  
velocipede1  and one has issued a       
pronunciamento advising young men to    
shun it1  but the majority of the       
profession give it their hearty and     
cordial  support4 ,medical men are among
 its most eager votaries4 ,one of the   
best physicians in our country1 who     
makes diseases of the lungs a           
specialty1 rides the bicycle two hours a
 day1 and prescribes it for  his        
patients4 ,he considers it a great      
preventive of that scourge of  our      
climate1 consumption2 and a grand aid to
 the development and  improvement of the
 human body4 ,many busy men of the      
profession in ,new  ,york1 ,boston1 and 
other large cities1 either have their   
own machines1  or ride daily in the     
schools and rinks4 ,they regard this    
preparation of  ,iron 7the velocipede71 
as better than any in their ,materia    
,medica4          ,transcriber's ,notes 
,a number of typographical errors were  

corrected silently4    ,cover image was 
created from elements of the book and is
 donated to  the public domain4