The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1895-04-26
FADS OF THE FAsHIONABLEs
Just Now the Society Ladies
are INDUCING in BIZ
cycle Riding.
special to TnE RrpupLlcAN.

Special to THE REPUBLICAN,.
1t is not often that the passing
fads and fancies of women of fashion
have any substantial interest or val
ue. Generally some trivial reason
leads to their adoption. and as soon
as they have served the within OF the
moment they are dropped, and the
pursuit Of some other fleeing butter
fly is taken up. In recent years
there has been growing interest on
the part of women prominent in So
ciety in various forms oftoutdoor
amusement, and just now, among the
leaders Of society at the Nations cap,
ital, bicycle riding is the prevailing
fad
or cousre, for years past, fashiona-
bic people have INDUCED to a greater
or less extent in horseback riding, in
rowing tennis, and quite recently the
game of golf which is of course very
English, has been taken up. It may
be, and probably is, that these fancies
have their organ in the fondness of
the British aristocracy for such
amusements. However that may
be, their adoption in this country has
resulted in change in the habits Of
beneficial in developing the best type
OF American beauty. II has not been
so many years ago when exercise in
the open air was Unknown among
fashionable people in this country.
OF course, what the leaders Of society
do is apt to be initiated in all the
grades, and continued indoor exis-
tence has naturally had a marked eff
feet ON the health OF the American
women.
People of middle age with ordinary
powers OF observation have noticed
the change in the type offemale beau>
ty and they have not failed to mark
the glow of health and the full cheeks
and rounded forms which are now so
Characteristic OF any gathering Of
women. It is Of course a trite say
ing that exercise and an abundance
of fresh air is beneficial to the health,
but nevertheless, it is an axiom Tat
has been woiully neglected by Ameri-
can women. and to large extent by
the men.
1t is therefore happy omen when
outdoor exercise becomes fashionable,
and for this reason the latest fad,
namely, that Of. bycicling, has more
Importance than otherwise would be
the case. Learning to ride the wheel
has become an actual fashion in soci-
ETY., as is always the case, plenty of
imitators are found among those who
do not claim to be in fashionable soci-
ETY..
Perhaps at no time were there so
many schools for instruction in bicy-
Gle riding in existence in this city as
at the present time. It is certain
that the roll of female pupils was
never so large. As soon as they are
able to master the wheel the girl
dressed in natty and becoming cos
tunes may be seen speeding over the
smooth street and avenues and out
along the country roads.
In some cases they form parties
with a rendezvous at some place in the
suburbs where they can enjoy pos
sible a dance and supper, and then
spin homeward in the moonlight.
All these pleasures have heretofore
been left for the enjoyment of the
sterner sex. but now the women are
claiming their share, and they not
only secure the immediate enjoyment
but they are building up constitu--
tons which have become weakened
through the lack of active exercise,
and they are bringing a healthful
bloom to their cheeks which is be-
yond the power of any art or device to
produce.
There is only one reason why this
form of open air exercise cannot be
generally adopted, and that is the
expense. A good wheel cost 500,
although there are some wheels which
are placed on the market at lower
rate, and then again, the secondhand
wheels come within the scope of
limited pocketbook. II is evident,
however, that in some instances sac
rifices are made in various directions
in order to secure the coveted wheel.
The wives and daughters ofwealthy
men, Of course do not have to stop to
consider the cost, and they buy the
highest priced wheels with the latest
and most approved attachments.
Bicycle riding Is a form of amuse-
ment which perhaps costs less than
any of the others that have been
named, and owing to the fascination
which it possesses, and also the prac-
teal uses which can be made Of the
wheel, 1t is likely to continue in fash
ion for some time. However, wheth-
err it does or not, it has in connection
with other means of taking physical
exercise rendered valuable service in
building up the health Of the women
Of the country.