We present a bicycle for ladies, lately invented and patented by
Messrs. Pickering & Davis of New York City. It will be seen that the
reach or frame, instead of forming a nearly straight line from the
front swivel to the hind axle, follows the curve of the front wheel
until it reaches a line nearly as low as the hind axle, when it runs
horizontally to that point of the hind wheel. The two wheels being
separated three or four inches, allow of an upright rod being secured
to the reach; around this is a spiral spring, on which a comfortable,
cane-seated, willow-backed chair is placed. This machine, with a
moderate sized wheel (of thirty to thirty-three inches), will allow
being driven with a great deal of comfort and all the advantages of the
two-wheel _veloce_. In mounting, a lady has to step over the reach, at
a point only twelve inches from the floor, the height of an ordinary
step in a flight of stairs.
A machine for ladies has also been invented by S. T. Derry of Boston,
and patented by Messrs. Sargent and Derry, which in construction and
appearance is very similar to the one just described. Its saddle is of
velvet on springs, giving a perfectly elastic seat; it is furnished
with mud fenders in front and behind, and is complete in every respect.
Both these machines have been examined by experts and pronounced
satisfactory. It will be readily seen that they obviate many of the
difficulties, embarrassments, and objectionable features of the
bicycle. They will, doubtless, become popular. While young men have
been dashing about on velocipedes, many young women have looked on with
envy and emulation. They have not been satisfied with the tricycle
designed for their especial use; and have felt it hard that they
should be denied the exercise, amusement, risk, dash, and delightful
independence, which the bicycle so abundantly affords.
It is possible that our young ladies will rush into velocipeding as
they have into skating, and other athletic amusements. It would be
a substitute, in many cases, for the expensive luxury of horseback
exercise, and has the advantages over it, of convenience and pleasure
as well as cost. Velocipeding will be particularly nice for suburban
ladies, who have smooth roads around them, over which they may bowl
to their hearts’ content, and drive themselves from house to house on
morning calls. It will not be necessary to keep an ostler, nor to have
an attendant to assist in mounting and to accompany the rider. When
ready for her ride, a lady may take her horse from the front hall,
clean and fresh, mount, and be off. It would be a bright and beautiful
day for our land, should a laudable and reasonable ambition once fairly
get possession of our young women, to cultivate and develop their
physical natures, and to become strong, healthy, robust, and enduring.
A short time since, “The Revolution” published an able article
recommending the use of the bicycle to ladies. It has been used by them
for some time in a quiet way, and to a much greater extent than is
generally supposed. There are classes for ladies in almost every large
city; and many are waiting for fine weather, to enjoy the art in the
open air, instead of a closely confined room; and to “Witch the world
with noble horsemanship.”
The idea has been conceived from seeing experts ride side-saddle
fashion, and drive the machine with one foot, that ladies might begin
by learning the art in that way. This would be well nigh impossible,
though it is easy enough after one is proficient. But with a proper
teacher of their own sex, and with suitable dresses for preliminary
practice, ladies can soon obtain such a command over the vehicle, that
they can ride side-saddle wise with perfect ease.
A lady must begin with great moderation, and train her muscles to the
work of propulsion, or they will cry out vehemently at first. Above
all, she must avoid getting cold, rheumatism, and neuralgia, after
being heated by the exercise.
The best school for ladies is established in Boston, and is conducted
in a properly private and exclusive manner. It is supplied with a
number of lady teachers and assistants, all under the direction of
the best “velocipedagogue” in the city. It is in a large hall in
a good locality, and is provided with the best French machines,
dressing-rooms, and other conveniences. Many good old Boston names
are to be found upon the list of pupils. The lessons are twenty-five
dollars for a course of instruction, with a guarantee of proficiency.
There is also a school especially designed for ladies, at the corner of
Fifth Avenue and Fourteenth Street, New York, at what is known as the
Somerville Art Gallery. This has two halls of an area of 3,000 square
feet. One of the halls is set apart for beginners, and the other for
those more advanced.
Ladies, in riding the bicycle, commonly use the modest and appropriate
costume worn by them in calisthenic exercises and in the gymnasium.
Another very suitable dress for the _velocipedestrienne_ has been thus
described:--
“Let the outer dress skirt be made so as to button its entire length
in front; the back part should be made to button from the bottom, to a
point about three-eighths of a yard up the skirt. This arrangement does
not detract at all from the appearance of an ordinary walking costume.
When the wearer wishes to prepare for a drive, she simply loosens
two or three of the lower buttons at the front and back and bringing
together the two ends of each side, separately, buttons them in this
way around each ankle. This gives a full skirt around each ankle, and,
when mounted, the dress falls gracefully at each side of the front
wheel.”
Miss Carrie Augusta Moore, well-known in amusement circles as “The
Skatorial Queen,” has been riding the bicycle in public in Washington,
Boston, and the Western cities, with much success. Her riding is
described as finished and graceful, and her costume as neat and modest.