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Harper's

Round Table

Not only is it excellent in its written text, but artists make its pages artistically beautiful.—Chicago Inter-Ocean, Feb. 22, 1896.

5 CENTS A COPY $2.00 A YEAR

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W, the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

Continuing our trips in Connecticut, it seems wise to give the run up through the middle of Connecticut from New Haven, through Hartford, to Springfield. Leaving the City Hall at New Haven, run out by Elm Street four blocks, and then turn right to Dixwell Avenue, which should be kept to until Cheshire is reached. The road is in excellent condition, is very easily kept to, and there are few hills until just after leaving Cheshire. On leaving Cheshire keep to the right, and follow the main road to South Meriden, turning there sharp to the right, and when within about a mile and a half of Meriden—that is, on the outskirts of the city—turn sharp to the left, and run through the centre of Meriden itself. Passing out on the northeast of Meriden, take North Colony Street until the Cedar Hill Cemetery is reached, having passed through Berlin, Newington, and to the eastward of Newington Junction.

The road from Meriden up to Cedar Hill Cemetery is almost unmistakable, except that on passing through Berlin the rider should keep to the right instead of running into the centre of the town, and thus take the direct route to Cedar Hill Cemetery. This road is in admirable condition, and is not very hilly, except at Cedar Hill itself. On passing the cemetery keep to the left, rather than running straight in, and follow the macadam, then turn right and run direct into the City of Hartford. It is possible, however, to keep to the left just before entering Berlin, and run into the centre of the town at the railroad station, continuing from there direct to New Britain, then following the road given two weeks ago from New Britain to Hartford, that is, from New Britain to Elmwood and thence to Hartford itself.

This route from New Haven to Hartford is one stage on another tour from New York to Boston. We have already given, some months ago, the route from New York, through New Haven, New London, and Providence, to Boston. This route extends from New York to New Haven, then to Springfield through Hartford, from Springfield to Worcester, and from Worcester to Boston. The route, however, is not nearly so good as far as road-bed is concerned, is more hilly, and the average wheelman is advised to take a train from Springfield to Worcester. Our object in giving this journey across Connecticut is not so much to lay out that particular route to Boston as to give directions for the best methods of crossing the State and leading up into the Berkshire Hills, where some of the most picturesque riding in the northeastern part of the United States is to be found.

Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846, Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No. 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859; Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865.

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.

A girl who writes from a remote part of North Carolina inquires whether I approve of the bicycle for girls. It appears that where she resides there are still people who look rather doubtfully on the wheel as not adapted to feminine use, and who think girls should avoid it. These good people belong to a class with whom I was very familiar in my own youth. Then great stress was laid on being "ladylike," and the worst thing which could be said of a girl was that she was a hoyden or a tomboy. Our point of view has changed so much that we in the great cities, where public opinion is formed, and where all opinions are heard and sifted one by one, are surprised when we hear a condemnation of the bicycle. Doctors unite in praising it, and girls in ordinary health cannot do better than ride as their brothers do. Of course a beginner must be prudent, not take too many risks, and avoid going for long distances alone. A party of girls accompanied by an expert rider or a teacher may start out and enjoy a lovely day's journey, or, if all is arranged beforehand, set forth for a trip of some days or weeks, under proper escort and chaperonage. But a novice must not go far from home, or risk rough roads.

As for myself, I do approve of the bicycle for girls. My questioner's inquiry is whether a girl loses caste by riding a wheel. Emphatically no. It is as proper to ride a wheel as to ride a pony or to walk. But a girl must ride with grace and fearless courage. She must have the right kind of saddle, must have her handle-bars at the right height, and be dressed so that her skirts will not entangle or entrap her. There is no pleasure which surpasses that of swift motion, when one is young and strong and the blood courses buoyantly through the veins, whether the motion come from skating, running, riding, or going forward in any sort of progress which requires exercise. The old Greeks understood this, and one of their favorite goddesses was always flying along. Look her up in your mythology, and you will find which one I mean. Her name is very short, and a popular American author wrote a beautiful story about her, which I am sure you all have read.

This query of Annabel W. L. about corsets for growing girls needs a very definite answer. No girl should wear a corset while her figure is developing. A girl confined in an inelastic cage composed of steel and bone and buckram can never move as freely and carry herself as gracefully as one whose loose and comfortable style of dress affords free play to every part of her body. Skirts should be light, and dress throughout arranged with a view to deep breathing and the pleasure of unrestricted movement. Fancy a girl's learning to row or working in the gymnasium in tightly fitting corsets! A small waist is not beautiful or desirable. Health is beauty, and a look of strength and vigor the thing our girls should crave.

Margaret E. Sangster.