The Monitor-register., 1896-12-11
Communicated.
What Others Saw.


worth learning we'll, and by learning
anything perfectly we'll we have it re
duced to science. 1t is said that on q
certain occasion a lady received the
plaudits of thousands by the simple. but
graceful, act of seating herself in a chair.
The skilled dancer. captivates the eyes
even of those who condemn the practice
as great sin. The greater the skill
acquired the more ease and elegance is
displayed by the performer, and these
accomplishments invariably excite the
admiration of every beholder.
q Among the most popular forms of rec
reation and pleasure INDUCED in to day
by the people of America, England,
France, and other countries is riding the
bicycle. Boys and. girls of less than
nine summers to men over sixty are low
ers of the wheel, and to the vast army of
cyclers thousands are being added to the
ranks every year. The number is simply
enormous.
To say nothing of the magnitude of
bicycle. making in the United States, a
number of the Scientific American is my
authority for the statement that in Eng
land, Scotland and Ireland there are 1894
cycle agents, 2, sos makers, and in the
United Kingdom there are 46 publications
directly connected with cycling. A Phil
adelphia paper informs US that the bicycle
made it's appearance first in France in
1916, but it was clumsy in construction
George Blake, Philadelphia, built one
a few years later, but to France belongs
the credit for the modern wheel.
Twenty years ago the first order of one
hundred bicycles was filled in Hartford,
Conn. To day it would take twenty
mile walk to inspect all the departments
10 that lion of bicycle plants A writer
for Comforts Cyolirg Club tells his read
eIs of a visit to the Hartford factory, but
we pass over all except the tire depart
ment, for it is to the tires and saddle that
every owrer of a wheel gives the most
attention.
| Without good tires wheel is of little
service, aud with saddle not properly
adjusted there is little comfort in riding.
Very few riders are aware of the fact
that those pneumatic rubber tires which
SO silently carry their burdens softly over
roads smooth and rough have undergone
a process requiring from six to eight
months before they are ready for the
market. Finally comes the testing of
every wheel put out. The testing ma
chine consists of huge iron wheel, the
cogs, to represent the toughest possible
ground. On this machine the finished
bicycle is placed and revolved on bar
which holds at one end a weight of 100
to 200 pounds, representing the weight OF
the rider. The vibratory mac hine, as 1t
is called, is then set running, revolving
1852 times minute. If the cycle endures
this test thirteen hours it aiss considered a
satisfactory machine.
In an ordinary bicycle there are 952
parts, each part subjected to a score Of
operations before they are put together
to make the harmonious whole, and as
intricate, almost, as the making OF She
best American watch. And right here
quote the advice by an unknown writer,
and atxthis point every amateur cyclist
who reads this article should stick q pin
He says, nUnless you are an expert, or
have great mechanical aptitude, don't
meddle with the nuts, bolts, or bearings
on your wheel any more than is abso'
lutely necessary. Countless wheels are
ruined by the novice and hisEElbnkey
wrench"
Those who do not ride and never viii
cannot help noticing the different posi-
tions or pastures assumed by cyclers
Some sit squarely upright, others 81,
almost inside the handle bars while tht
majority of wheelmen have accustomed
themselves to the bump back atfle, which
nobody admires. In the e. ~ w Bulle.
tin, cycling journal, several cppissssIl
which have been kindly given to TIL
writer by home cyclist, the editor;gis
its readers this sarcastic advice: ITO ride
right, sit upright and don't be a camel
Avoid that hump"
venture to assert that in the selection
of wheel the purchaser should choose
as caEefullyas when buyiBg q pais.oi
shoes; because if the wheel don't 8
cannot be adjusted to fit his case. mar
made an irreparable mistake, and will
not derive npsh;resi ples1 slh riding it.
variousy t1aiss have lIttsls son
position y lap !! 6 ing Iffala
the pen q Drs tabbs. ii the
L. A. ". sii thy Of consid.
GRAFTON. TKs Al 81
''The queassSA or position is one Of
more than usual interest, for in it lies, to
a great extent, tie pleasure or displeasure
of the ride. The painfully erect position
of the over-dignifs4 enthusiast, and the
low-down huinprbacked monkeyfied posi-,
tion of the would be scorcher. WHO ~ not
such a sery fast man after all. In years
of practical experience | have tried all
manner of shapes and positions. but ]
have for some time used the slightly In.
clined forward position and find it by fal
the most satisfactory. The humid hack
shane is absolutely an unpatural one.
and il continued for apy copsidefable
length of time it cannot help but cause
| deformity of the spine and IVORY :sit,ry
to yarious..sorgaps within tia body. III
inolines the body forward. thn66nin0sits