The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-01-02 00:00:00

THE SOCIETY OF CYCLISTS. .

An ordinary meeting of the members of the Society
of Cyclists was held on Tuesday night. Dr. B. W.
Richardson, the president, occupied the chair, and
briefly opened the preceedings. Major Knox Holmes
then read a short paper entitled, "Effect on a Sep-
tuagenarian of a Midnight Ride from London to
Northampton," in which he gave an interesting
sketch of the incidents of the journey, which he acs
complished in less than 24 hours. Mr. J. B. Marsh
followed with a paper entitled "A Peep at Italy
from the Tricycle." In commencing he gave some
good advice to cyclists intending to take a turn in Italy
as to the selection of the season. From the middle
of Juno to September the weather was very enjoy-
able, and with the exception of occasional heavy
showers, quite reliable; but in the winter and spring
"wheeling' in northern Italy was practically impos-
sible. Not only was the weather unfavourable, but
in October the road-mending commenced,which meant
the laying.down of round pebbles over all the ways;
and it was, of course, sense months before these were
trodden in sufficiently to form anything like an even
surface. 'Cycling in Italy, either in the northern or
southern parts, involved but very slight expenditure.
On the whole, five francs a day were more than suffi-
cient to corer all the expenditure necessary to wheel-
men, including food, drink, and comfortable lodgings.
In the cities tricycling was not allowed, but, owing to
the state of the roads, the prohibition was quite unneces-
sary. In the outlying districts the roads were very good.
No one need mind stopping at the roadside inns,
which abounded, and befoi e the introduction of
railways did a good trade. They were all under the
control of the local authorities ; they were scrupu-
lously clean, the beds were good, and the food was
both good and cheap, and no doubt as tricycling in-
creased in Italy, the prosperity of these hostelries
would to a great extent return. The author then
went on to describe his journey through Verona,
Venice, San Lorenzo, and numerous other places.
He found time, although he covered so much
ground in his trip, to be able to inspect ninny
of the great and historical possessions of the Ital;an
towns. He was struck with some of the fine
old buildings in Verona, among them a magnificent
amphitheatre, built with coloured marbles. This
building was quite perfect, although it was more
than 1500 years old. Entertainments were given
•there at the present time, only, of course, changed
in character. He was much interested in the
house in which the Capulets, the parents of Juliet,
Romeo's lover, lived. He assured his listeners that
a most enjoyable holiday could be spent in Italy on
the tricycle, at a comparatively small ccst, and any-
one going could rely upon meeting the most generous
hospitality from all with whom they were brought in
contact. In the discussion which followed, Mr.
Pennell said he had travelled with a tricycle over
Southern and Central Italy, and he quite agreed with
Mr. Marsh that cycling was only possible at certain
seasons in the year. His experiences of the hos-
pitality of the Italians was very varied. Some-
times he had met with the fortune which seemed
to have favoured Mr. Marsh ; but on otrez
occasions it had been just the reverse, and one
night, at an hotel, he was expected to pay 501. for
his night's lodging. He was now speaking of
Southern and Central Italy only. The roads were,
many of them, good, but on others the dust filled the
air, and rendered wheeling very unpleasant. The
roads around Naples at all times were quite impass-
able for cyclists. The chairman asked Mr. Marsh
whether he found any real local tradition which
would lead to the supposition that :such a Juliet as
Shakespeare had portrayed did really exist. Mr.
Marsh replied that there was such a tradition, and
that the grave of Juliet was to be seen. Votes of
thanks were passed to the authors of the papers, and
to the chairman, and the proceedings then termi-
nated.

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