Monarch Cycle Mfg. Co.,

Lake, Halsted and Fulton Sts.,

CHICAGO.

Branches:

New York, San Francisco, Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, Detroit, Toronto.

Last week we published a map and description of the first stage on the most attractive route from Philadelphia to Washington. This brought the rider to Compassville, a distance of about 45 miles. Leaving Compassville the next day or in the afternoon of the same day, the rider proceeds by an almost unmistakable road to White Horse, a distance of a little under three miles, through a very attractive farming country. From this point to Intercourse the road is direct, except a short distance out of White Horse, where the rider should take the right fork, thence running direct to Intercourse, six miles or more away. Keeping to the main road, and not turning either to the right or left, there will be no difficulty in reaching Bridgeport, after running through Bird In Hand, on a straight level road. At Bridgeport the Lancaster Turnpike is rejoined, and following this through Lancaster and Mountville, the rider finally comes to Columbia, on the bank of the Susquehanna, 31 or 32 miles from Compassville.

If the trip is to be extended through a day, Lancaster is a good place to stop for dinner, although it is hardly half-way, and if the idea is to ride most of the distance in the morning and make a long noon stop, it may be wise to push on to Columbia, or at least to Mountville. At Columbia, however, there are good accommodations. Leaving Columbia, the rider should cross the bridge, which is a mile and a quarter long, paying five cents toll, and proceed thence through Wrightsville, Hellam, and Frystown to York, a distance of 44 miles from Compassville. Here is a good place to stop for the night. The road all the way is moderately level, and where there are any hills they are all rideable. But it would be difficult to find on the Atlantic coast a 40-mile stretch of road in such good condition and with so few hills as lies between Compassville and York and the next stage of the trip to Washington, which we shall give next week. In fact, this road, as was said last week, is somewhat roundabout, if one is anxious to make a quick journey from Philadelphia to Washington, but it is nevertheless one of the best road-beds in that part of the United States, and the rider is again earnestly urged to follow it rather than the more direct route through Wilmington. One of the great advantages of this circular route is that it brings you near enough to the field of Gettysburg to warrant a little detour over the historical battle-grounds, and this will be given next week, together with a map of the third stage of the journey.

A word should be said here about winter bicycle-riding—for there is summer riding and winter riding. It is often the case that a bicyclist, or any human being for that matter, has better muscles than he has heart and lungs. Perhaps he never finds this out until he takes some exercise like bicycling, which stimulates his heart beyond its power. Then he discovers that he can ride a certain distance, and of a sudden, though perfectly free from any weariness, he is obliged to stop because he cannot breathe, or because he has a pain in his chest. He is surprised, and cannot understand it until his physician tells him he must not ride so fast or so far at any one time. These little irregularities come out more prominently in the cold air of winter-time than in the summer months. Furthermore, a young man who is blessed with a weak throat will catch cold by riding fast against a head wind in winter, where in summer he would never notice that his breathing had anything to do with bicycling. One should always remember, therefore, that in cold winter air, especially against the wind, speed is to be given up. In fact, it is wise to put on a thick woollen or silk handkerchief, spread across the whole chest under waistcoat or jacket like a fencer's shield. If this is done, many an unexplained cold may be avoided. Never stop in winter to rest. If you want rest, go into a house and take off some clothing, or keep walking after you dismount. A little thought in time saves much trouble and anxiety.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

Somebody asks me to talk about economy—a bright little somebody who has spent all her savings on the holidays, and now regretfully looks at the empty satin-lined box in her bureau drawer, where usually she keeps her funds. Never mind, girlie, your allowance is paid you every month, and if you are a little bit self-denying, a wee bit careful, the box will presently be comfortably full once more.

We are apt to think of economy as scrimping and hoarding, and to speak of the economical person as if she were not generous and open-handed, but, instead, were close, and what the Scotch call "near." This is all wrong, a misunderstanding of the word, which is really a beautiful old picture-word, which came to us from the Greeks, and which means management. The economical girl is a good manager, and the good manager makes the most of whatever she has in her hands. A poor economist is cramped and worried even when she has a large income; a good economist has a margin, though her allowance happen to be small.

Speaking of margins, the late Prince Albert is always quoted as a man of singular good sense and sweetness of character. In writing to his daughter, then a young girl, now the Dowager Empress of Germany, mother of the reigning Kaiser, the wise father gave this advice: "Never spend all you have. Keep a margin for expenses which may be unforeseen."

This is a very safe rule for every one—always to reserve at least a little, a thing which can be done if we are very decided about the trifles. It is usually the little expenses, a few cents here, a few cents there, which make the big holes in a girl's income.

I do not think that boys are more saving than girls, though there is an opinion to that effect among some people. The fact is that such qualities as economy and prudence are not affairs of sex. They do not belong especially to boys or especially to girls, but depend on training, on conscience, and on disposition.

You ought to have a talk with mamma, and know precisely how much your allowance is meant to cover. Are you expected to buy your own gloves, your handkerchiefs, ties, ribbons, and the small odds and ends of your toilette? Then do you pay your car fares and daily expenses from this sum? And do your church and Sunday-school money, and your little charities, come out of this too? Be sure to have a clear understanding on the whole subject.

Having found out all about it, keep an account of what you receive and what you spend. A little book, with a pencil attached by a string, will be the greatest convenience here, and you can set down every day what you pay out for this or the other thing, and balance the sum at the end of the week. A girl who keeps her accounts with care need never be worried about money. It is not honest to spend what you do not possess. And it is very stupid to be a poor manager.

Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.

Sixteen Years' Subscriber asks where or how one could learn to use a kodak. Full directions for using a kodak accompany the camera; but if one has a friend who uses a camera, it would take but a little time for him to show him how to manipulate the instrument. The making of a good picture is only the result of experience and experiments. After spoiling two dozen plates one generally learns what the camera will and will not do. Directions for developing, etc., are given in the Camera Club Department. "Papers for Beginners" will be found very helpful.

J. C. P. R. says he made some paper according to formula given for plain paper, but in a day or two it had discolored so as to be unfit for use. He says he dried the paper by a gentle heat, wrapped it in brown paper, and put it in a tin box. If there was only a slight discoloration the paper would make good prints which would give clear whites when printed, toned, and washed. A yellowish brown tint does not affect the printing qualities of the paper. The paper gives best results if it can be used the day it is made. If made at night, it should be used the next day. Three days is the longest it can be warranted to keep.