Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-01-08
YeIOcipedes in Paris.

THE Velocipedists have stolen march
on the coming flying man for, while he
is busy adjusting the wings with which he
intends to navigate the clouds, they have
attached wheels to their legs, enabling
them to skim the earth with the speed of
a fast .trotting horse. The resuscitation of
velocipedes--a ninety years old invention
is due to the petits creces and cOc0ttS of
Paris. At the present moment, however,
they are a mania with all classes, and
count, among their more fervent partisans,
princes, dukes, and other titled person.
ages, several high functionaries, and even
one staid member of the French academy.
Every alternate Sunday or 80, velocipede
races have taken place in the environs of
Paris-at St. Cloud, Vincennes, Enghien,
Pantin and elsewhere. Mounted, too,
upon these flying horses, amateurs dash
along the crowded thoroughfares of the
capital, while adopts, at the risk of their
lives, drive their velocipedes of two wheels
--one directly in front of the other--along
the narrow stone parapet at the side of
the Seine, and down the hundred d-and one
steps of the TrOcadero rising up in their
seats, lying down ON their backs, letting
go the hands of the vehicle, and throwing
both legs over it, while performing these
daring feats Government employees, liv-
ing in the suburbs, ride to their offices
every morning on the new iron horse
You may see them on their return jour
ney at night, steering in between the
throng of carriages with lighted lanters
swinging in front of them, and with other
velocipedes, sent out by enterpris-
ing tradesmen, displaying Illuminated ad-
vertisements before and aft. The com
positors of Galignani's Messenger, and
other newspapers, are said to go to, and
return from work, on velOcipedes; and
several of the collecting clerks of the
Bank of France have begun to use them.
ProVincials stare aghast at these modern
centaurs, dashing in and out Of the whirl
OF vehicles, much as the country people of
old did at the apparition of the Thessa-
lonians mounted on the horses which
they were the first 10 tame while the
cabmen exhibit their hostility by dodging
in front Of the velocipedists whenever
they get the chance, and by chatting such
amateurs as are not sufficiently expert to
give them wide berth. Prices of Yeloci-
pedes, including what Moses Of the Mi
nories would style directions for self
measurement, are advertised on the walls,
outside the kiosques of the BouleVards,
and in all the papers, and announcements
OF lessons on the art of managing them,
may be met with in almost every Journal,
and posted up in all quarters OF Paris.
The public schools, too, are to have pro-
f9ssors 10 lecture on the new method of
locomotion, and to teach the youth of
France how TO manage the willing steed.
Meanwhile, the Prince Imperial has been
furnished with "a "Yelocipede de luxe"
mounted in rosewood and aluminium
bronze
Paris "a In perfect state Of frenzy with
respect 70 It's new toy. The newspapers
call upon the Government 10 order sup
ply OF veiocipedes to save the over-wnrked
legs OF the rural postnien, and Of the mes
sengers attached to the provincial teie-
graph bureau; and even advise a limited
number of these vehicles being furnished
70 infantry regiments, to enable outposts
% Teconnoitre and to communicate rapid.
ly with the main body of the army.
Somei carried away by their enthusiasm,
ask why q species oflight cavalry, mount
% on Yelocipedes, should rot bs instl'