The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-04-22
Cycling FtiUuette for Both Sexes.

~ marked Ieatufe OF social life is the
introduction of the bicycle. In riding the
craze for this species of activity has not
sufficiently subsidized to permit judicious
Judgment. A scorcher of either sex is
simply detestable. No woman of good
sense will practice scorching. Neither
will she offend the law by riding on the
sidewalk, or donning an immodest cos
tune, or ma Ike new acquaintance while
on her wheel.
A species of freedom, sense of exul-
tatlon, triumph of mind over matter,
are amongst the happy results of this
splendid exercise. 1t has come as a boon
to the health and spirits of indoor wom-
en-. That the rising generation will show
the good results of it we cannot doubt
But, every innovation at first goes be-
You'd the normal and healthful standard.
One becomes intoxicated with delight at
the swift rush in the open, and forgets
convention. TO certain extent that is
good. Too long have we been mere
slaves to petty rules of etiquette. Too
much do we judge by triles.
But it is needless to go to the other ex-
IRENE and throw to the winds refinement
and good breeding simply because one is
on wheel
Objectionable intimacies have been
formed between riders whose acquaint-
ance began III the street. A woman
whose wheel needs attention that she can
not give it, may thankfully accept as
sistance from any fellow wayfarer. And
she can do it with charming frank cour-
tesy that has nothing to warrant con-
tinuance of the acquaintance.
To the ease and freedom and healthful-
ness of the bicycle dress women owe an
unreasonable debt Of gratitude. 10 no
one or two improvements in living do we
owe so much. The loose, uncorseted
waist, the abbreviated skirt, are such a
relief to US. They open a new outlook by
the energy and yigor fostered by their USE
Yet shall shock some wise dame in
saying that, in many ways; the full, di-
more convenient, than the usual short
skirt? When properly fitted and full
enough, it scarcely shows that it i d.
yided. When on the wheel the riders
form is far more strongly outlined in the
single skirt than in the divided. Against
the wind the former is ugly enough It
shows the motion of the limbs altogether
too. palpably. The objection to the d.
habit makes the more immodest seem
right in other instances than this. Ply
sicians and people of all classes who are
capable of Judging of things as they
are, irrespective of custom, will bear
me out in this. expect to see the
day when the cycling woman will wear
the divided skirt as matter of fashion,
It will be full, prettily made, comfort
able and becoming. It will also be used
in country jaunts and mountain climbing.
For these it will be as appropriate as
trains for full dress and a skirt clearing
the ground for the street. 80
Because she is a woman the cycler will
uslrp no privilege denied to men. In
overtaking a vehicle she will pass to- the
left, when meeting one, to the right.
She will keep in order bell and lamp and
learn to manage her own box of tpols.
She will not undertake century runs With
her big brothers. She will refuse to
lengthen her cycling suit, knowing that
Il long skirt is as dangerous as it is I'M
graceful. A knickerbocker suit underline
skirt is necessity. A bonnet is entirely
out of place OH the riders head, and SO
is Il trimmed hat, or anything that fhlt-
tiers and catches the wind. The entire
dress should be trim and taut, with little
ornamentation or brilliant color
First, let us' confess, respectfully but
not hopelessly, that feminine trainingl SO
far, has not included the virtue Of pune
tuality and silence, when silence should
prevail! Mrs. Hester NJ. Poole iii Good
housekeeping 2#s .4. .#: zsS 55