To get on with the help of the treadle is a very neat and useful method, but requires considerably more practice than vaulting.

Stand with the left foot on the treadle, and taking a slight spring or "beat" from the ground with the right foot, give the machine a good send forward, of course following it yourself, and with a rise bring the right foot over to the saddle. The secret of this movement is that you put as little weight as you can on the treadle, merely following the movement, which has a tendency to lift you, and keep the greater part of your weight on the handles.

You may mount the bicycle in another way, and that is by running by its side, and watching the time when one of the treadles is at its lowest, then place your foot upon it, and as it comes up, the momentum thus gained will be sufficient to lift you quite over on to the saddle. In this movement also, as in most others, it is much better to have assistance at first.

To vault off, you have merely to reverse all the move ments just described.

Another capital way of alighting from the machine while in motion is to throw the right leg over the handles. You hold the left handle firmly, and raise your right leg over and into the center of the handles, previously raising your right hand to allow the leg to pass under. Then lifting your left hand for the same purpose, you will be able to bring your leg over into a side-sitting posture, and drop on to the ground with the same movement.

But at this time pay strict attention to the steering, and take care never to let go one hand until you have a firm hold with the other, or you and the whole affair may come to extreme grief.

This we consider one of the easiest methods of getting off, although it looks so difficult.

To Ride Side-saddle.-Riding in a side-sitting position is very simple, but you must first learn the foregoing exercises. First vault on the usual way, and work up to a moderate speed, then throw the right leg over the handles as in the act of getting off, but still retain your seat, and continue working with the left leg only. Now from this position you may prac tice passing the right leg back again into its original position when sitting across the saddle in the usual way.

To Rest the Legs.-A very useful position is that of stretching out the legs in front when taking long journeys, as it rests the legs, and also, as sometimes you do not require to work the treadle descending an incline, the weight of the machine and yourself being sufficient to continue the desired momentum.

In this position the break is generally used; but when putting it on, mind you do not turn the handles with both hands at once, but turn with one first and then with the other; as, if the spring should be strong, and you attempt to use both hands in turning it, as a matter of course when you let go to take fresh hold the handles will fly back, to your great annoyance.

To Ride without using the Hands.-This is a very pretty and effective performance, but of course it is rather difficult, and requires much practice before attempting it, as

the steering must be done with the feet alone, the arms being generally folded.

To accomplish this feat, you must keep your feet firmly on the treadles in the upward as well as the downward movement, taking care not to take them off at all, as you will thereby keep entire command of them, which is absolutely necessary, as in fact they are doing double work, both propelling and also steering the machine. You will, as you become expert in this feat, acquire a kind of clinging hold of the treadles, which you will find very useful, indeed, in ascending a hill when you take to outdoor traveling. Fancy riding of this kind must only be attempted on good surfaces.

Description will not assist you much here, but when you attempt it you will soon find out that when riding without using the hands, every stroke of the foot, either right or left, must be of the same force, as, if you press heavier on one treadle than on the other, the machine will have a tendency to go in that direction; and thus you must be on the watch to counteract it by a little extra pressure on the other treadle, without giving enough to turn the machine in the reverse direction.

This is all a matter of nice judgment, but when you can do it a very good effect is produced, giving spectators the idea of your complete mastery of the bicycle.

But remember that you must be always ready to seize the handles, and resume command if any interruption to your progress presents itself.

To Ride without using Legs or Hands.-As you can now ride without using the hands, let us now proceed to try a performance which, at first sight, will perhaps seem almost impossible, but which is really not much more difficult than going without hands. This is to get the velocipede up to full speed, and then lift your feet off the treadles and place them on each side of the rest, and when your legs are up in this way, you will find that you can let go the handles and fold your arms, and thus actually ride without using either legs or hands.

In progressing thus, the simple fact is that you overcome gravity by motion, and the machine cannot fall until the momentum is lost.

This should only be attempted by an expert rider, who can get up a speed of twelve to fourteen miles per hour, and on a very good surface and with a good run; and, in fact, from this position you may lean back, and lie flat down, your body resting on and along the spring.

At Rest. We are now come to the last and best, or, we may say, the most useful feat of all, and this is to stop the bicycle and sit quite still upon it.

The best way to commence practicing this is to run into a position where you can hold by a railing or a wall, or perhaps the assistant will stand with his shoulder ready for you to take hold of.

Now gradually slacken speed, and when coming nearly to a standstill, turn the front wheel until it makes an angle of 45 deg. with the back wheel, and try all you know to sit perfectly still and upright.

Of course this is a question of balancing, and you will soon find the knack of it. When the machine inclines to the left

slightly press the left treadle, and if it evinces a tendency to lean to the right, press the right treadle; and so on, until, sooner or later, you achieve a correct equilibrium, when you may take out your pocket-book and read or even write letters, &c., without difficulty.

Now, we do not think that there is anything further to be said as to learning to ride the bicycle, and we can only express a hope that if you follow the advice and instruction we have been able to give, you will become an expert rider and be able to begin practicing on the "Modern Bicycle."

Choice of a Machine.-And first, as to the choice of a machine. In this case it is imperative to have the very best you can get, as it is utter folly to risk life and limb by using one of inferior make.

In choosing a bicycle, of course the first thing to be considered is the height of wheel, which greatly depends on the length of limb of the rider; as, of course, although two men may be of equal height, one may have a longer leg than the other. A good guide is to sit on the machine and let the toe touch the lower treadle without quite straightening the leg, as of course command must never be lost. For a rider of average height, say 5 feet 8 inches, a machine of 52 to 54 inches we should consider suitable. But of course any well-known and reliable maker will furnish you with a machine to suit you.

Having selected your "Modern Bicycle," the first thing you want to accomplish is to be able to mount and dismount. Of course, the saddle being nearly as high as your shoulder, it is impossible to vault on, as with the old "practicer." It is therefore necessary to provide a "step," which, in all the modern machines, is fitted on the backbone, or connectingiron, just above the hinder fork on the left side, at a convenient height. It consists of a small round plate, jagged, to afford a firm grip for the toe when placed upon it.

There are two ways of mounting. One is to start the ma chine and to run by the left side, and put the left toe upon the step while in motion, throwing the right leg over on to the seat; the other is to stand at the back of the machine, standing on the right leg, with the left toe on the step, and, gently starting, hop with the right leg until you have gained a sufficient impetus to raise yourself on the step, and throw your right leg across the seat.

The first is the best plan, as you can run with greater speed, and mount; in fact, the quicker you go, the easier to get on. In many cases it is the only practicable plan, as, for instance, on remounting on a slight ascent, where it would be most difficult to get up sufficient speed by the hopping plan, which, moreover, does not present a very graceful appearance.

Now, in the second way of getting on by the step, you hold the handle with the left hand to guide the machine, placing the other on the seat. You can now run it along easily. Your object in having one hand on the seat is, that if both hands are on the handles, you are over-reached, and it is difficult to keep your balance. Now take a few running steps, and when the right foot is on the ground give a hop with that foot, and at the same time place the left foot on the step, throwing your right leg over on to the seat. Now, the hop is the principal

thing to be done, as if, when running beside the bicycle at a good speed, you were merely to place the left foot on the step without giving a good hop with the other, the right leg would be left behind, and you would be merely what is called “doing the splits."

You will see at once that as the machine is traveling at good speed, you have no time to raise one foot after the other (as in walking up stairs), as when you lift up your foot, you are, as it were, "in the air," and nothing but a good long running hop will give time to adjust your foe on the step as it is moving. This is, of course, difficult to describe, and we need not say, requires a certain amount of strength and agility, without which no one can expect to become an expert rider.

But, in the high racing machines, no one would think of trying to mount without the assistance of a friendly arm, and a stand or stool of suitable height.

Having now mounted the high machine, you will find that the reach of the leg, and the position altogether, is very different from the seat on the "bone-shaker;" but when you get some command, you will find the easy gliding motion much pleasanter, as well as faster. You are now seated much higher, in fact, almost on the top of the wheel; and, instead of using the ball of the foot, you must use your toe; and when the treadle is at the bottom of the throw of the crank, your leg will be almost at its fullest extent, and nearly straight. Now you must pay a little attention to the process of alighting.

In getting off by the step, all you have to do is to reach back your left foot until you feel the step, and, resting upon the handles, raise yourself up, and throw the right leg over the seat on to the ground.

But we consider getting off by the treadle much the preferable way when you can manage it; but you must be very careful when first trying not to attempt it until the machine is perfectly at rest. Get some one to hold you up, the bicycle being stationary, and practice getting off in the following manner: First, see that the left hand crank is at the bottom, and with your left foot on that treadle practice swinging your right leg backwards and forwards, in order to get used to the movement Now while in position, throw your right leg with a swing backwards, resting as much as you can of your weight upon the handles, and raise yourself with your right foot into position, continuing your swinging movement until you are off the seat and on the ground.

When you are well able to get off in this way, with the bicycle at rest, you may attempt it when slackening speed to stop. As it is, of course, easier to get off the slower you are going, you must come almost to a standstill, just keeping way enough to prevent the machine falling over, as, if you attempt it when going at all quickly, you will have to run by its side after you are off, which is a difficult feat for any but a skillful rider.

The great advantage of getting off in this way is that, with practice, you can choose your own time, which is very useful when an obstacle suddenly presents itself, as in turning a corver; and in getting off the other way you are liable to lose time in feeling for the step.

There are different styles of riding, and of course at first

you are glad to be able to get along in any way you can; but when you come to have any command over your machine, and and have time to think about style, you cannot do better than take for your model some graceful rider, whose upright and graceful seat gives an impression of quiet power. Very dif ferent is the appearance presented by some well-known riders, who, although going at really good speed, present a painful appearance, hanging forwards over the handles as if about to topple over, and favoring the beholders with such a variety of facial contortions.

Hints on Training.-It is very difficult to give any rules that will apply to all, as constitutions differ so widely; but the simple rules of regular diet, rest, and exercise will apply to every one, whether they are going, as the saying is, "to race for a man's life," or merely trying to get themselves into

the best frame of body to endure moderate exertion. The daily use of the cold bath, or tepid if necessary, cannot be too strongly insisted upon; and also early rising and going to rest; and the avoidance of all rich viands, such as pork, veal, duck, salmon, pastry, etc., etc. Beef, mutton, fowls, soles, and fish of similar kind, should form the principal diet. The severity of the rules of professional training has been much relaxed of late years, and many things, such as vegetables, stimulants in great moderation, etc., are now allowed, which before were rigidly excluded.

In training for any special effort, of course it is necessary to have professional assistance; but with moderate attention to diet and regimen, any one may soon get himself into good condition, and particularly if he becomes an habitual bicyclerider.

WIMMING is the art of keeping the body afloat and propelling it by means of the body and hands. The swimming of man is artificial, but as the specific gravity of the human body is very little greater than that of water, it can be floated with very little difficulty.

Every boy should be taught to swim, and if he reads the following pages and abides by the instructions, he can easily teach himself.

The first care of the intending swimmer is, of course, to find & proper piece of water in which to learn his first lessons. The very best water that can be found is that of the sea, on account of its saltness and bitterness, whereby two great advantages are obtained.

The first advantage is, that, on account of the salt and other substances which are dissolved in it, the sea-water is so much heavier than fresh that it gives more support to the body, and enables the beginner to float much sooner than he can expect to do in fresh water.

The other advantage is, that the taste of the sea-water is so nauseous that the learner takes very good care to keep his lips tightly shut, and so does not commit the common error of opening the mouth, which is fatal to all swimming, and is sure to dishearten a beginner by letting water get down his throat and half-choke him.

As to place, there is nothing better than a sloping sandy shore, where the tide is not very strong. In some places the tide runs with such a force, that if the beginner is taken off his legs he will be carried away, or, at least, that he will have great difficulty in regaining his feet.

We strongly recommend him to walk over the spot at low water, and see whether there are any stones, sticks, rocks, or holes, and if so, to remove all the movable impediments and mark the position of the others.

Take a special care of the holes, for there is nothing so treacherous. A hole of some six or seven inches in depth and a yard in diameter looks so insignificant when the water

is out that few persons would take any notice of it; but, when a novice is in the water, these few inches may just make the difference between safety and death.

On sandy shores the most fertile source of holes is to be found in large stones. They sink rather deeply into the sand and form miniature rocks, round which the water courses as the tides ebb and flow, thus cutting a channel completely round the stone. Even when the stone is removed, the hole will remain unfilled throughout several tides.

The next best place for learning to swim is a river with a fine sandy bed, clear water, and no weeds.

When such a spot has been found, the next care is to examine the bed of the river and to remove very carefully everything that might hurt the feet. If bushes should grow on the banks, look out carefully for broken scraps of boughs, which fall into the stream, become saturated with water, sink to the bottom, and become fixed to one of the points upwards.

If human habitations should be near, beware of broken glass and crockery; fragments of which are generally flung into the river, and will inflict most dangerous wounds if trodden on.

If the bed of the stream should be in the least muddy, look out for mussels, which lie imbedded almost to their sharp edges, that project upwards and cut the feet nearly as badly as broken glass.

Failing sea and river, a pond or canal is the only resource, and furnishes the very worst kind of water. The bed of most ponds is studded with all kinds of cutting and piercing objects, which are thrown in by careless boys, and remain where they fell. Then, the bottom is almost invariably muddy, and the water is seldom clean. Still, bad as is a pond, it is better than nothing, and the intending swimmer may console him. self with the reflection that he is doing his duty, and with the prospect of swimming in the sea some time or other.

Of course the large public baths possess some of the drawbacks of ponds; but they have, at all events, the advantage of a regulated depth, a firm bank, and no mud.

As the very essence of swimming lies in confidence, it is always better for the learner to feel secure that he can leave the water whenever he likes. Therefore, let him take a light rope of tolerable length, tie one end to some firm object on the bank, and let the rest of the rope lie in the water. "Manilla is the best kind of rope for this purpose, because it is so light that it floats on the surface instead of sinking, as is the case with an ordinary hempen rope.

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If there is only sand on the shore, the rope can be moored quite firmly by tying it to the middle of a stout stick, burying the stick a foot or so in the sand, and filling up the trench. You may pull till you break the rope, but you will never pull the stick out of its place. If you are very nervous, tie two sticks in the shape of a cross and bury them in like manner.

The rope need not be a large one, as it will not have to sustain the whole weight of your body, and it will be found that a cord as thick as an ordinary washing-line will answer every purpose.

On the side of a stream or pond, tie the rope to a tree, or hammer a stake in the ground. A stake eighteen inches in length, and as thick as an ordinary broomstick is quite large enough. Hammer it rather more than two-thirds into the ground, and let it lean boldly away from the water's edge. The best way of fixing the rope to it is by the "clove hitch." Now, having your rope in your hand, go quietly into the water backwards, keeping your face towards the bank. As SOOP. as you are fairly in the water, duck completely beneath the surface. Be sure that you really do go fairly under water, for there is nothing more deceptive than the feel of the water to a novice. He dips his head, as he fancies, at least a foot beneath the surface; he feels the water in his nose, he hears it in his ears, and thinks he is almost at the bottom, when, in reality, the back of his head is quite dry.

The best way of "ducking" easily is to put the left hand on the back of the head, hold to the rope with the right hand, and then duck until the left hand is well under water.

The learner should next accustom himself to the new element by moving about as much as possible, walking as far as the rope will allow him, and jumping up and down so as to learn by experience the buoyancy of the water.

Perhaps the first day may be occupied by this preliminary process, and on the second visit the real business may begin.

In swimming, as in most other pursuits, a good beginning is invaluable.

Let the learner bestow a little care on the preliminaries, and he will have no bad habits to unteach himself afterwards. It is quite as easy to learn a good style at first as a bad style, although the novice may just at the beginning fancy that he could do better by following his own devices.

The first great object is to feel a perfect confidence in the sustaining power of the water, and, according to our ideas, the best method of doing so is by learning to float on the back.

Floating on the Back.

Take care that the cord is within easy reach, so that it may be grasped in a moment, should the novice become nervous, as he is rather apt to do just at first. Take it in both hands, and lay yourself very gently in the water, arching the spine backwards as much as possible, and keeping the legs and knees perfectly straight and stiff.

Now press the head as far back as possibly can be done, and try to force the back of the head between the shoulderblades. You can practice this attitude at home, by lying on two chairs and seeing whether your attitude corresponds with that which is given in the illustration.

When you have thus lain in the water you will find that you are almost entirely upheld by its sustaining power, and

that only a very little weight is sustained by the rope. On reflection you will also discern that the only weight which pulls on the rope is that of your hands and arms, which are out of water, and which, therefore, act as dead weight.

Indeed, you might just as well lay several iron weights of a pound each upon your body, for the hands and arms are much heavier than we generally fancy. Just break an arm or a leg, and you will find out what heavy articles they are. Now let your arms sink gradually into the water, and you will see that exactly in proportion as they sink, so much weight is taken off the rope; and if you have only courage to put them entirely under water, and to loose the rope, your body will be supported by the water alone.

Swimming on the Back, Head First.

There are many modes of swimming on the back, head first; some in which the hands are the moving power, others in which the force is derived from the legs, and some in which the legs and arms are both exerted.

To practice one of these methods-viz., that commonly