The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1892-10-28
The Reign of the Bicycle.

Hail to the bicycle, if the boys and
girls would only sit up straight upon it
and not hump over and flap together
their lungs and stomach and make their
backs look like a barrett
The bicycle industry of this country
amounts to $5e 100000. Since the day
when the native who first saw it de-
scribed it as ga buggy wheel running
away wild man ON it" the number of
riders has increased till they now num-
Der 300, 900 in America, and it is mount
ing up every day. To our friends, the
wheelmen, we owe almost altogether
the recent movement in favor of i'm
proved country oadsin the United States
Before the advent Of the bicycle tho
country roads of this Union would have
been disgrace to the Eskimos of Green
land'sicy mountains. Sylvester Baxter,
writing in The Arena on the Social and
Economic Influence of the Bicycle, says
that he recalls prominent western city
where few years ago the streets were
In a wretched condition, with not half
dozen wheelmen in the place. On a
late visit he found beautiful asphalt
streets with bicyclers gliding like
CLEAN of light hither and thither, their
wheels glancing in the sunshine.
Mr.. Baxter mentions also that the BIZ
cycle has given to us an idea of strong,
light vehicle, which is being utilized
rapidly in the construction of wagons
and carriages. He believes that between
the bicycle idea and electrical traction
horses as draft animals will disappear
altogether from city streets. 1t is i'm
possible as yet to even prophesy the full
development of the bicycle idea in its
application to human life and industry.
Bicycle riding began with gentlemen,
and with gentlemen it has mostly re-
mained-that is, with men of moral
habits. Mr.. Baxter says:
The example set by men in its use has been
followed by boys in their cumulative aspira-
lions. Like swimming and skating, bicycling
has become universal youthful accomplish
ment; in many communities not to be prof.
Gent with the wheel is rare exception for
boys, and it bids fair to be for girls also 1t il
not uncommon to see school house Yards
stacked with the machines, on which the boys
go to and from school and enjoy daily two or
three hours at least of healthy exercise. The
educational influence is very great both upon
physical and mental development 1t quick
ems the perceptive faculties of young people
and makes them more alert. They see more
of the world and are broadened by the
contact. While otherwise they would sell
dom go beyond strolling distance from
their homes, on the bicycle they are
constantly roaming throughout many sur
rounding towns, beholdirg fresh and varied
scenes, becoming famil1S with whole counties
and in vacation time not infrequently explor-
ing several states. Such experiences produce
growth in energy, self reliance and indcpend.
ence in character, and make more complete
individuality. The moral effect is no less
marked. The clean, outdoor life, amid the
tonic influences of fresh air, sunshine and tn,
pleasant sights of nature, remove thousands of
young men from the danger of debasing asso-
Citations. Temperance is also promoted no
wheelman can Safely use intoxicants, for a
cool. clear head and steady nerves are abso /
lutely essential.