Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-07
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 Ae-----FOR THE WHEELMEN.

sequence the topic becomes her theme by | day and her dream by night.
 So many things must be considered in | ordering bicycle costume that it should | be made the subject of almost prayerful deliberation. If one studied her appear ance while riding only the matter is sim pie enough. Nothing looks more appro- priate and jaunty than a skirt about inches from the soles of the shoes, with high shoes or leggings, and little jacket thrown open to display the dainty shirt waist. How she envies her husband, brother or lover as he clasps around his ankle those fascinating little bracelets, mounts his wheel and rides off without a thought of 'where-with-all he shall be clothed!"
 When the fad for wheeling first became feminine the cases were so isolated that the necessity for providing a suitable cos tune had not arisen Any old thing will do" seemed to be the sentiment of the riders, and the result was anything but satisfying. Now, however where cy- cling has made such immense strides into popularity the case is different, and must be met with some practical suggestion at | once.
 For short rides the scant skirt of mod crate length is best; this, worn over | "kniekers" or bloomers the necessity for 1 wearing cumbersome petticoats is done | away with. But high leggings or bicycle | shoes should always accompany this cos | tune.
 | I suggest that ladies adopt the thin l cheviot or silk flannel outing skirt in l place of laundered waists now so pop | ular The former looks as fresh at the | end of a days trip as at starting, and are much more comfortable. It is a good i plan to carry a sweater strapped to the l handle bar in anticipation of the sudden l drop which the mercury often takes. AS a healthful, invigorating and pleas l urable exercise cycling certainly leads, and the nineteenth century girl, knowing | this, intends to cultivate 1t to the fullest extent. Don't be afraid to ride.-Helen M. Lathrop in American Wheelman.
 Shall women ride the bicycle? What shall they wear? Shah the saints of the wheel ride on Sunday? More thought is | expended just now on the bicycle than on any other popular amusement. The | first solemn question pfopounded was, shall women be permitted to enjoy this mode of locomotion? Whiles prudes were discussing this point 10! other women, | without consulting their prejudices, rode, and rode we'll But campers said: "Fhey do not look pretty; they are not grace | full" We'll, many women we meet in the ordinary walks of life are neither pretty nor graceful; shall they therefore be se- questered from public view? No woman could look worse on wheel than man bent at an angle of 45 degrees, and with coat-tails flying.
 The first point settled-that women will ride-the next s what shall they wear? This, too, with their usual good sense, they will decide for themselves, by find Ing what is best adapted to the new sit uation, and they will no doubt in time look pretty and graceful in long stock ings, knickerbockers, tight fitting sacks and military caps l like a trig vessel in a storm, with all sails reefed. They will, as an object lesson, illustrate great nat ural law, that woman is @ bifurcated animal, and does not run, as she seems to the ordinary observer, like churn on casters, a pyramid in shape from waist l downwards. A being with two legs for free motion must of necessity have bifur- | cated garments. This revelation of legs has been great shock to some sensitive | souls, and the debate on the question of what women should wear has been as hysterical as on the first point-should she be permitted to ride at all2
 As she decided the first for herself, and defiantly rode off in the face of her oppo- nents, she will decide the second point, and wear what she pleases, gradually making changes in dress and wheels, as added comfort and convenience demand; and popular prejudices must yield her undisputed sway in this new field of ac- l tivity just as they have other strong holds from time to time in the past.
 The bicycle will be great develop | ment to women in many ways. It will strengthen their muscles and steady their nerves and make them cautious courageous, self-reliant and increase their common sense, If they learn, as they should to keep their own wheels in or der, and how to repair them in emer- | gencieS. Again, the wheel being pre- eminently a rational amusement, young | men and women will always go in crowds together, and thus have an elevating and refining influence over each other. The violence and danger of most outdoor sports have practically excluded girls but the wheel, so safe and exhilarating has at last made 1t possible for girls to enjoy with their brothers an amusement in the open air where the courtesies of life are continually called into requisi- ton.
 To sum up, would say: Let women ride and wear what they find best adapt ed to that exercise. If some prefer the full skirts, flying in the wind and en- tangled in the wheels, let them run the risk of their folly. If others prefer bloom CTS let them enjoy their choice. If others prefer knickerbockers, leave them ir peace The right of individual conscience and judgment is the foundation of the Protestant religion and republican gov ernment, a sound principle on which tO | settle all questions great and small.
 Should the saints of the wheel ride on Sunday? is another question now press ing on our consideration. On the above l principle, let the riders decide for them selves. If they prefer a ten mile ride in the open air to the close atmosphere of a church, or to an easy chair at their own fireside, perusing the Sunday pa pers, l say go on the wheel by all means | The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. No rational pleasure on that day should be forbid den. Young men and women confined in schools and workshops during the week must appreciate day of freedom in such exhilarating exercise in the open air The national idea of Sunday is sim | ply a day of rest and recreation, a 1 change from the regular routine and em- | ployments of our every day working | world.
 While woman rode, her chest expanded and her lungs knew more cubic inches of air than they had held for years The red corpuscles went dancing merrily through her veins and gave her new | lease of life. Her waist, released from ancient torturing compress-I speak only of the woman who dresses rationally- gladly responded to an unaccustomed l freedom, and those long-cramped mus | cles slowly relaxed and sought such an