Table of Contents,

which is sent free on application to the Publishers, there are found dozens of the best things in the World, which are well worth committing to memory; and they who know most of such good things, and appreciate and enjoy them most, are really among the best educated people in any country. They have the best result of Education. For above Contents, with sample pages of Music, address

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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 much 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.

Copyright, 1895, by Harper & Brothers.

The third stage of the trip from New York to Boston by the shore road demands our attention this week. It extends from New Haven to New London, a distance of forty-five miles or more, and though the rider can, if he desires, stop at Saybrook, thirty-three miles distant from New Haven, it is wiser to make the run to New London in one day, as the accommodations at New London are better, and the next stage, from New London to Shannuck, which comes on the next day, is much lighter.

Leaving New Haven and going eastward the rider should keep always to the right on going into the suburbs of the city, and continue to the south of Fair Haven through East Haven. One and a half or two miles out of East Haven the road crosses the railroad track, and then runs on another mile into Branford, which is eight miles from New Haven. From Branford the road is, in the main, easily followed, the general tendency being to keep in the vicinity of the railroad, and near the shore of Long Island Sound. It is well for the rider, where possible, outside of villages, to take the side path, as the road is not in the best of condition in certain places, and the side path is usually very good. From Branford to Stony Creek is a distance of about three miles. Thence to Leetes Island, two miles further, where the road is clear, there is little to be described. There are almost no hills of importance, and the side path usually offers a very good substitute for the road itself when the latter becomes sandy.

From Leetes Island to Guilford, about three miles further on, the road winds about a good deal, crossing the railroad track twice before entering Guilford in order to make a detour to the north and cross a creek. After leaving Guilford the road runs down close by the shore, and keeps its position in passing East River and Madison. Between Madison and Clinton, and between Clinton and Grove Beach, a distance altogether of between five and six miles, the road is fair in general and very poor in spots. The side path should be taken wherever available, but, everything considered, it is not one of the best bicycle roads that could be desired. From Grove Beach into Saybrook, a distance of six miles, the rider passes through Westbrook, and the road does not alter its condition, being in the main fair, but very sandy in spots.

If possible, the rider should start from New Haven early in the morning, and make Saybrook some time about noon, stopping there for lunch or dinner. This is a distance of thirty-three miles altogether. To be sure, it only leaves a run of thirteen or fourteen miles to New London, but the accommodations there are so much better than along the line that it is advisable to try and reach it, and at the same time it is always well to do more than half the journey in the morning. Leaving Saybrook the rider should proceed, still on the turnpike, to the Connecticut River bank at Lyme Ferry. Crossing by this he turns to the right and runs into Lyme over a capital road. Thence the road runs along over a reasonably good bit of country to the north of the railroad into South Lyme, five miles further on, with the exception of a spot a mile or more beyond Black Hall, where the road crosses a creek and is poor riding for a short space. From South Lyme to Niantic is about three miles, and after passing East Lyme, a short distance out of Niantic, the rider crosses a long bridge over an inlet of the Sound. From this point, keeping to the left just after crossing the bridge, he runs through Jordanville into New London, and may there put up at the Crocker House in the middle of the town.

There are several alternatives over the last part of the course. For example, after crossing the Lyme Ferry and passing through Lyme, instead of keeping to the right it is possible for the rider to turn to the left, and follow the secondary bicycle route marked on the map, which, on the whole, is neither as short nor as good riding as the other. The road passes through Graniteville and joins the turnpike-road near Jordanville. In the case of a strong head wind, especially if it is a little to the southward of east, it will save a great deal of time and labor for the rider to take this more inland route. On the southern route, after passing Niantic and East Lyme and crossing the long bridge, the rider may turn sharp to the right, follow the route marked on the map, crossing another inlet of the Sound, leaving Jordanville on the north, and thence run on to the mouth of the Thames River, where he can put up at the Pequot House, a summer hotel, which will be a welcome place after such a ride.

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 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in 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.


This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Stamp Department.

The New York Herald states that the Duke of York is prepared to sell his very valuable collection of stamps to the highest bidder. Lord Rothschild has made the most liberal offer thus far, but he would prefer to buy the rarest specimens only.

C. E. Abbey.—U. S. stamps are printed on plates of 200 or 400 stamps divided into panes of 100 stamps each. A sheet of 100 stamps as sold by the Post-Office is one of these panes. Every plate bears a number, and this number is printed on the margin of each pane. For instance, the current 2c. red is printed from plates of 400 stamps which, after printing, is cut into four sheets. I illustrate plate No. 112.

I know of no stamp chapter in Newark.

H. B. Thaw.—The 12 sen 1875, Japan, is worth 70c., the 15 sen, same issue, 60c.

L. M. C.—Dealers quote two varieties of the half-dime of 1838, one at 10c., the other at 30c.

A. Whittemore.—No stamp was found in your envelope when opened.

D. C. S.—The stamps are Costa Rica revenues. There are several varieties of U. S. 1c. Proprietary worth from 1c. to 10c. each.

J. K. Morlan.—The current 1s. Great Britain postage-stamp is catalogued at 2c. if used. As there are many thousand varieties of North, Central, and South American stamps, I cannot quote values, but advise you to buy a catalogue.

E. H. Maurer.—The $1 values of U. S. postage-stamps are largely used to pay postage on packages of bonds sent from the U. S. to Europe. The "pink" 1861 is extremely rare. It is a peculiar shade which cannot be described in words.

H. L. Watson, Paris.—It is probably a fraud. The only Jones Express known in America bears Washington's portrait, and is printed on pink paper.

A. E. Barrow.—No coins enclosed. I cannot say what dealers will pay for stamps. That depends on scarcity, condition, and quantity. An unsevered pair of any scarce stamp is always worth more than two single stamps of the same kind. The Columbus and 1853 dollars can both be bought from dealers at a slight advance.

D. E. Porter.—The coin is a Connecticut cent dated 1787. Dealers catalogue it at 15c.

J. T. Delano.—What dealers pay for coins we do not know. You can buy the 1832 half-dollar in good condition for 75c., the 1853 quarter for 35c., the 1864 two-cent copper for 10c.

F. S. Bidwell, Jun.—No premium on the shilling.

E. B. Tripp.—Dealers quote the 1857 and 1858 cents at 5c. each, 1822 half-dollar at 75c., silver three-cent pieces at 10c.

C. Martin.—Levant stamps are used for local purposes, and for prepayment of postage on letters to the home countries.

Philatus.