The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-04
THE vELoCIPRDE IN AMBRICA.

The velocipede fever has broken out In its most
alarming form In all parts Of this country within
J the past ak months, having been first introduced
into New York, whence il spread rapidly, and has
in due time reached New Orleans. In the former
city, there are, it is computed, not less than five
Thousand velocipedists. The rooms OF the nu-
merous velocipede schools are open almost. like
the restaurants, at all hours" but still dissp.
pointed applicants for admission have TO be turned
away. The greatest difficulty is, however, to get
the yelocipedes, the demand being far ahead OF
the supply.
A riding school for ladies' has been started 10
that city, on Fifth avenue, corner OF Fourteenth
street, at what is known as the Someryllle Art
Gallery, which has two fine halls, each with an
area Of over 5000 square feet. One Of these halls
is set apart for beginners and the other for those
more sdvepced. An exchange says:
with a proper teacher of their own sex, and
with suitable dresses for the preliminary practice,
ladies can obtain such command over the veloci
pede in one weeks practice, Of an hour daily,
that they can ride side saddle-wise with the ut
This assertion none can doubt, after having, last
evening, witnessed the admirable proficiency of q
young lady of our own city at the Velocipede
School, on Canal street. And in this connection
1t may be stated that Miss Carrie E. Moore,
"Queen Of the Velocipede," has been giving ex-
bibitions 10 Northern Cities demonstrating By her
wonderful evoluiions the adaptabiiity of the
velocipede 10 use by her own as well as the male
sex.
At Montreal, they have Crystal Palace veloc
pede hink and Riding School, where instruction is
given by professors Of she bicycle art. An ex-
change perlinenty suggests 'yelocipedromes" as
proper name for these schools, and We commend
the suggestion.
To Chicago, two riding schools for instruction in
the srt OF balancing upon these vehicles have been
established and the machines are kept for sale at
various places. lie perfectly level sueets-many
Of them paved with wooden blocks-are admirably
adapted to this species Of propulsion, and several
of its business men, living two or three miles from
their Offices. make their daily trips with two.
wheeled vehicles, quickly leaving the discounted
horse car men in the distance. Among the edito-
rial fraternity 1t is said that hr. Arthur Edwards
OF the Chicago Northwes Christian Advocate,
has already reached an enviable position as ve
locipedist. Ia Cincinnati, IN Pittsburg, in Phia-
delphis in Brooklyn, in Boston aud many Of the
smaller cities end towns veocia finds her votsrles
daily increasing in numbers. Henry Ward Beech
er, In one of bis recent lectures, said: lone OF
the crest questions Of the day was 10 relstion to
the Coming man and how he was to come. He
thought be was coming on q velocipede-a new
machine that was bound to play prominent part
In the category Of smusements-s toy to some, an
instrument Of pleasure and great use to others.
he lad purchased two for his own boys, and there
was every probability of him riding on one him
self. He was not too old to learn. but he hoped it
would not be said that the velocipede was his
hobby. bis auditors were not too old to learn,
and he would not at all be surprised TO see, IN
short time hence, thousand velocipedists wheel
ing their machines TO Plymouth Church"
THE vELooIPEDE IN NEW ORLEANS.
Over eighteen years since there appeared in
this city the first velocipede Of its kind ever used
outside the limits OF France. But IL was reserved
for the visit of the Hsnons during the rsst winter
TO arouse that keen appreciation Of its merits
which should bring the machine into general use.
We all recollect what crowd was assembled ia
Lafayette Square on the day public exhibition
was announced by the Hanons-how the small
boys hung on by their eyelids to the trees and
fences only to get glimpse Of the riders as they
went whzzing over the she'll walks, each opening
the crowd before him like wedge.
This time may be said fairly 10 have set In the
desire TO learn the velocipede. At first II was
easy matter to get the machine, SO great was the
demand upon the manufacturers elsewhere. One
day young man appeared on Camp street riding
bravely ny along the sidewalk toward Poydras
street. A policeman ordered him into the street,
discussion followed, and the thing was wound up
by the velocpedist being brought next moroing
before the recorder Who at once discharged him
from custody.
Then came the opening Of the velocipede School
by Mr.. LoriDg Of Chicago. He found no lack OF
pupils, and the consequence Is that now New Or
leans already numbers q hundred or two skilled
velocpedisss, with as many more in various stages
Of progress.
The daily increasing popularity of the machine
is evidenced by the Sunday trials on the she'll
roads, by the frequently heard rafting of the
wheels over the sidewalks at night, by the de-
msnd for invitations TO the coming velocpede hop
on Thursday evening, by the proposed establish
ment Of velocipedrome " somewhere near the
corner Of Canal and Claiborne streets for the hiring
out Of velocipedes by the hour, and more than all
by the extraordinary inducements held out to ex-
perts at the coming State Fair, where daily trials
Of skill are TO be made. The manufacture of We
locipedes has also been undertaken by one or two
Of our enterprising manufacturers, and we shall
be surprised If within a couple of months there
are not at least two thousand bicyclists suzzing
about the streets Of the Crescent City.
HOW TO RIDE THE ANIMAL.
When one first sees Q two-vheeled velocpede
one naturally supposes that to maintain ones equi
librium upon its narrow back. supported by still
narrower base. is physical impossbiity; bat af-
ter little practice according to the following
rules, laid down By one Of the most skilful bycyc.
lie operators in France the feat s found to be ex-
ceeoiDgly ee4 to perform. He says:
"Wslk beside your iron horse. leading Il, as 10
were, with your hand, SO as to familiarize your
| self with its movements. This viii be an affair Of
| only few minutes. Then commence practicing
with IL on slope, and after mounting IL. let It
move forward Of its own accord, while you
| occupy yourself in studying the effects produced
BY the inclination which you give to the Balancing
| pole or tiller. When you thoroughly understand
the action Of this, place foot on the pedal, and
follow it's movements without assisting them The
difficulty with beginner IL to restrain the unnec-
- A.