, 1896-05-02

be carried OH without the fear of prying eyes,
and pass uninterrupted, save for some sleepy
forester or "Scorching' cyclist, who flashes
by and whizzes out of sight before the couple
have awakened to his proximity.
1t is said that there are no knickerbockers
In Hyde Park; it might be said, without any
trace of exaggeration, that there are no
skirts in the Bots de Boulogne, for the num-
Der of them is so infnitesimal that in a days
march no more would be seen than could
be safely registered on the fingers of two
hands. 1t is certainly true that the French
lady cyclist is very much more daring in her
costume than her rival across the Channel.
But, despite this, she wears her "knickers"
with All ease and naturalness than nine times
out of ten banishes the very motion of vul-
garlty. Numbers are compelled to discard
the skirt by nature of the machine they ride.
for to many the males machine with the
cr0ss-har is popular, aud dropping handles
are not unfrequently affected. The young
woman here cycles for her own comfort and
pleasure, and not, as a rule, to cut a dash by
Il smart ''turn-out.0 Indeed, the costume
usually worn is a combination suitable both
for riding in society or indulging in a spin
into the country. or even for an extensive
tour. There is very little in the everyday
dress that need be altered before leaving
tOWIl anu CIGy U0lt1u lOT Buduy Ih1cb anu
open country. 1t is usually the head. gear
that is out Of place. A very suitable hat,
shaped like the straw, but with a shiny
waterproof covering, is very much in vogue;
but, sad to say, many ladies prefer to carry u
covering of the flower-garden order, which
looks not only ridiculous but appears to be-
topheavy' Balloon sleeves are worn with the
body of the coat cut aw y after the style of q
Zouave's Jacket whilst the kinckerbookers are
generally Of exceeding fitness. A coloursd
blouse, adorned with lace aud furbelows, may
also be seen under the bodice, and some dam
sells keep the fringe in its place by a vol
luminous veil. A pleasing shade in grey or
brown is largely used for making up the
costumes, but many, with a total disregard
to dust, prefer a black serge, or even velvet,
a material both heavy and heating. But,
although the actions of the lady cyclist in
France are not encountered by q skirt that
clings persistently round one leg, whilst
several spare yards Of cloth flap generously
On the other side, she has not mastered with
any degree of certainty the art of dismouut-
ing gracefully. A very common way out of
the trouble is to steer the machine iAtO the
gutter, and come to a full-stop by placing
the near side foot on the path when there is
one. Outside in the country, where there
is no one interested in her proceedings, the
female cyelist leaves her machine as she
likes-and can.
At an outward bend of the Notifications,
at no great distance from the Avenue du
Bots de Boulogne is a cons iderable space,
where all onlooker can vile away half an
hour very pleasantly by Watching the fair
Parisienne taking her first lesson IN Cycling,
or perfscting herself in the art that is now
all the rage. She has not the slightest
objection to the gaze of the public, and meets
her little tumbles and gets over her first
awkwardness with the utmost unconcern.
This spot is a very favourite one, and oppo-
site are two stores where the young lady
may leave her machine when not engaged in
learning the mysteries of her new pursuit,
Here may be seen the maiden who is %ventur-
ing for the first time asrride of the saddle,
and all the degrees of proficiency upwards to
the accomplished one who can ride without
touching the handles, guiding her course by
mere movements of the body. But it 10 also
at this place that the greatest number of
skirts and CATERS are on view, for the lady
who is not Yet a full -fedged cyclist is some
what shy of appearing in boomers. The
majority drive down in cabs or come by the
Ceinture Railway, have their lesson, stable
their machines, and retire more or less salts
fed with the progress they have made.
Portly mammas, accompanied by six-years-
old sons astride of Lilliputian bicycles.